Thermoplastic Tool

From Fab @ Home

Thermoplastic tool

Plastic printing tool for Model 2 based on the Makerbot MK4 Plastruder

A heated build tray

the underside of the heated build tray

Using a pinch wheel extruder based on the Makerbot MK4 Plastruder design it is possible to do plastic prints using the model 2. More information about FDM tools, including assembly instructions of the Fab@Home redesign of the Makerbot MK4 Plastruder, can be found on the pinch wheel FDM tool page. Information on the heated build base can be found on the heated build base page

Plastic printing tool for Model 2 based on the Makerbot MK5 Plastruder

Side view to show tool mount

Plastic printed butterfly

Makerbot’s MK5 Plastruder is a significant improvement to the previous MK4. The new model is designed for reliablity, low maintenance, and ease of use. They have completely redesigned the heating element, barrel, and nozzle to make the extruder as long-lasting as possible. In comparison with the MK4, the components screw more tightly together, the tool is smaller in general, the redesigned heating element heats very evenly to provide a consistent temperature. The new filament guide system and drive gear produce a much greater push strength and a smoother slide than before, and the new tool can extrude smoothly for extended periods of time.

The tool has been redesigned to be powered by a snap motor by JrKerr. All the acrylic plates have been modified, and the tool now includes top and back plates so that it fits on a standard Fab@Home tool mount. The Plastruder needs to be heated to 230 degrees, and it sits at just the right distance from the build base, which is heated to 100 degrees. Once calibrated correctly, the tool can be used in almost the same way as the MK4 was on the Fab@Home, and will produce ABS models with a high level of accuracy.

To download the DXF files for the new acrylic parts and view the assembly instructions, visit Thingiverse

Settings/Calibration

The best settings found for printing ABS plastic with the "upgraded" Mk.6 adapted makerbot plastruder are as follows:

Slice Height: 0.31
Path Speed: 30
Path Width: 0.8
Deposition Rate: .300
Pushout: 0.200
Suckback: 0.200
Suckback Delay: 0.00
Clearance: 5
Pitch: .00397
Temperature: 225.0 C +/- 5 C

File:plastic.xml File:mk5.config

It should be noted that the plastic will bend upwards if printed on simple acrylic or tape. To combat this for small prints, place a layer of double sided tape down on the tray. For larger prints, it is best to use a heated build tray, preferably set to around 110 degrees Celsius.