Itty Bitty Double FLEX V2

[clough42]

I just released Version 2 of the Itty Bitty Double FLEX extruder.

IBDF2-UpperRight-e.jpgIBDF2-Top-e.jpgIBDF2-Right-e.jpgIBDF2-BackCornerDetail-e.jpg

This version has a bunch of changes to improve function and ease of use and incorporates several user suggestions:

• Better flexible filament control - A couple of people have reported trouble with flexible filament coming out of the channel and jamming under the hobbed bolt. This version has a much more tightly-constrained filament path, both above and below the bolt to keep the filament in place. It also supports using 1.75mm E3Dv6 hot ends with a PTFE liner, all the way up to the bolt.
• Improved printability - I redesigned many of the parts to make them easier to print. The forks on the idlers were difficult for many printers to reproduce; they're gone now, replaced by a filament feed hole. The square inside corners have been redesigned with an overshoot area in each corner to make the corners come out square and clean on even poorly-calibrated printers. Now the parts fit together easily without cleanup. The hot end cooling shrouds have been redesigned with support material that holds securely to the print bed, pops off easily when cool and peels off the part cleanly. The filament channels have been adjusted for a better fit, with and without a liner. The fingers on the part cooling fan shroud have also been adjusted so they fit cleanly without sanding or trimming.
• Hexagon AO support - A new fan shroud is provided for the shorter Hexagon AO high-heat-capacity hot ends.
• Leveling X Carriage plate -An X carriage plate with an extra eccentric cam hole makes leveling the hot end nozzles easy and repeatable.
• Broader Z probe switch support - The Z probe has been redesigned with more holes to accommodate snap switches with and without arms and wheels, while still keeping the contact point directly under the servo pivot.
• Low-profile shelf brackets - The shelf brackets now recess into the back plate, leaving a smooth side to register underslung X limit switches. This allows enough X travel on the 12" printers for the left nozzle to reach the entire bed area for single-material prints.

This new version retains all of the features from its predecessors:

• Supports E3Dv6 and Hexagon hot ends
• Designed for Hexagon or E3Dv6 hot ends on 27mm centers
• Short, straight filament path to accommodate flexible materials
• Uses the same hardware kit as all Itty Bitty Double Extruders
• NEMA 14 motors
• Silent GT2 belt drives with printed pulleys
• Integrated servo Z probe
• Cam-lock idler bearing pins
• Uses Clough42 custom hobbed bolts or standard MakerFarm bolts
• Lighter than a stock single Accessible Extruder
• Integrated hot end cooling
• Mounting hardware for Prusa i3v printers

The parts are free to download:

• From my web site: http://clough42.com/go/itty-bitty-double-flex-v2/
• From Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1234779

Detailed assembly instructions are here: http://clough42.com/go/ibde-assembly/

If you don't want to track down all of the hardware to build one yourself, complete hardware kits, hobbed bolts, motors, servos and even the printed parts are available.