The E3D TITAN EXTRUDER PROJECT, ANET A6, Part 2

[@MrStreetman1970]

Are you going to link the new carriage assembly link? I would like to replicate your setup. Looks GREAT! Keep up the good work!

[@marcellemay7721]

+MrStreetman1970 Yes, I will. I have the version in the video working as of last night. But, I'm gonna refine it a little bit before I release it. I'd say a couple of more weeks before I let it out into the wild. The titan extruder really cleans up the print resolution.

[@przeczochrany]

Hi Marcel, How's it going with the mod so far? Got my A6 several days ago and thinking about this upgrade. So far I changed parts which in my opinion should be changed on the assembly stage :) - power supply (server 600W supply - designed cover for it) - GT2 belts (fiberglass strengthened ) - Better hot end - some custom filament holder... Prints are not bad but always could be better... Do you propose some other first-to-do upgrades?

[@przeczochrany]

Also which slicer do you recommend? Attached CURA is not bad with provided profile but I found Slic3r more flexible but harder to calibrate. Do you have some custom slic3r settings for A6?

[@marcellemay7721]

przeczochrany I just got the whole thing running last night. Between Life obligations and beating my head trying to configure skynet for the extruder and offsets, it's been slow going. I should be able to get a video up showing it running. I have one more design iteration to complete before I put the files out for the public. I gotta change a few things to make it a little more stream lined.

[@przeczochrany]

Great stuff! Waiting for the video! Also if the project would become great success, could you put some links to the parts used in the build and also Skynet firmware input?

[@marcellemay7721]

przeczochrany it's gonna be a success. Once I have it finalized I'm gonna post all the files, the design files, the configure H,...etc. I printed some test files with it last night and there was a very noticeable difference in print quality from the stock setup.

[@marcellemay7721]

przeczochrany Once you get the printer going print up some belt tensioners. Add some mosfets to keep the high current draws off of the main board. Take a look at my 2 fun upgrades videos for a few more ideas.

[@MrStreetman1970]

Just a thought while waiting for my A6 to arrive....How hard would it be to change the main carriage on this from a horizontal to vertical (Like A8)? Would lose a little in height, but would be easier for hot end changes etc....Thoughts?

[@marcellemay7721]

MrStreetman1970 Yeah, someone on thingiverse already designed something to switch it over to a a8 style vertical rod setup. There would definitely be more options available. I personally don't like that design, mainly because I don't like the cantilevered aspect of it. Any play in the rods and bearings will be magnified at the hot end, because of the geometry. The a6 however, effectively halves the play that might exist in any one rod by its design. But that's just me.

[@b03tz]

I would agree with Marcel here, don't convert it. I have an A6 as well and it's amazing. If anything, make the Y carriage lighter by printing some PLA or PETG bearings LM8UU. Print Frankensteins extruder (or this one!) and buy an E3D clone to put in there so printhead is alot lighter, convert to bowden. My E3D is coming today, and did alot of mods already to make it better, faster and stronger (daft punk, anybody?). And I also bought a 22x22 glass plate, alot better then the aluminium.

[@Zanderman376]

How did you get your printer so silent

[@marcellemay7721]

Alex Slater I've done quite a few things to reduce noise. 1) adding an atx power supply for just powering the board reduced the stepper noise a lot. 2) igus bearings helped reduce bearing noise. 3) the enclosure also serves to keep the noise inside the enclosure. Take a look at my Fun Upgrades videos for all the mods that I've done.

[@b03tz]

You hate PETG?! I LOVE it, fix your print settings bro its an awesome material.

[@marcellemay7721]

Patrick Nijkamp Yeah, it's getting better. Do you run any fan at all? I'm running about 50 percent fan and I think it's still too much fan. The prints look good but the layer adhesion could be better. I'm printing at 250 degrees, which seems to be the best for the esun petg.

[@b03tz]

I think I run 30% at max...and currently I don't even have a duckt on now haha. So I don't think fan is very neccesary. I learned that printing at lower temperatures results in less stringing for me. I print PETG at 235

[@marcellemay7721]

+Patrick Nijkamp I don't mind the stringing so much. I'm more concerned with good strong parts, and so far, layer adhesion has been my biggest issue. I'm getting nice prints with the exception of some stringing, but that's no big deal. I'm gonna try no fan next time.

[@b03tz]

Marcel LeMay I totally get that. My first PETG print I had the first few layers breaking off, but after that at 235 and 30% fan (no fan first layer;)) it was amazing. It is so strong and I got red transparent which just looks sexeh hehehe. Also my parts print out perfect. No need to fix anything afterwards, stringing, drooping, oozing, none of that. How are your retraction settings?

[@marcellemay7721]

Patrick Nijkamp Retraction is set at 4.5mm, I forget the speed. E3dv6 direct drive. My retraction is good, I fixed that. It's just my layer adhesion, now. I think I'm still running too much fan at 50 percent. I'm gonna try turning off the fan completely on my next print. I haven't had much time to mess with it at all this week. No time to make videos, or play with my printer.

[@bobf3598]

Why heat-sinks for motors???If they're too hot, reduce the stepper VREF voltage. No need for them. Adjust them at about 75-85% according to to rating on the motor . Mine run and they're just warm to the touch which is fine. Personally i just think its a sales gimmick for the unsuspecting public to make extra profits.