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Dual Switching Extruder Upgrade

We're working through A LOT currently and request that people be patient whilst waiting for the rest of the Dual Switching Extruder instructions and files.

We're aiming to have them up by the end of the week at the latest, please keep an eye on the build manual page and forum for updates.

48 comments

48 Comments

itsmejun

Jan 09, 2020

When I first installed the arm, everything worked for maybe about 30 minutes. Now, when I power it up, the arm doesn't move at all on power up. If I choose to move the arm to hotend 2, it works just fine, but if I try to move back to 1, it doesn't move.

And now it is dead.

So I got a servo from RC car fortunately, it works fine but opposite way. When I choose 1, it turned left.

How do I can change the direction?

Adrián Chacón Ordóñez

Nov 21, 2019

I'm building the dual extruder and all the steps seems to be correct until I tried to test the servo. So it seems you all got problems with the servo being dead(probably including me) or not correctly calibrated in configuration.h. There is a best answer here from @Molotov suggesting changing the limit values and there is also a very good explanation by @denishungnguyen (i think?) in Guide/DSE+Stage+07 step 4 and I will probably go for that.

I will by trying to fix it in the coming days and I wanted to ask ppl how is it going with the DSE? Do you like it? doesn't work? Last time someone made a comment about it is from months ago.

Also if there is an obvious fix please share it or make the changes in the firmware, till this day it hasn't been updated in the builds neither in the instructions.

Adrián Chacón Ordóñez

Dec 07, 2019

Replying to

After some tinkering in the firmware I got it working with the best answer in this thread, here is it . Dual extruder is working wonderful and the stock servo was working well.

Eric Wunderlich

May 13, 2019

Has anyone made successful prints with there dual extruder

deró

May 14, 2019

Replying to

For Dual printing, nothing but poor prints and failures. My second solenoid just burnt out in middle of 3hr dual print, into garbage it goes. At this point, if Makerteck provides a workable bed replacement, I'll probably modify the the extruder to Y type, using the single extruder mount.

Daryl Smith

Apr 26, 2019

my servo worked a few times the died.where can i buy a new one as i'm still waiting for previous replacement parts ordered about a month now.if parts are sent is there not a tracking number with them?>

Daryl Smith

May 02, 2019

Replying to

@Makertech i'been waiting 6 weeks for replacement parts.ive bought out of pocket for part already i should have just designed my own at this rate

Makertech 3D

May 02, 2019

Replying to

@Daryl Smith Parts were sent out quite a while ago and should have been with you by now. I would check your local post office as it may have gotten caught in customs.

Please let me know, I’ll be chasing it up with the post office on my end as well.

Daryl Smith

May 03, 2019

Replying to

@Makertech how do i check with out a tracking number

Chris D

Apr 18, 2019

ok i bought a Futaba S3155 servo. its far less torque than the Tower Pro that was supplied. it does seem to have enough torque to actuate the extruder. though the lower torque may prove a longevity issue.

the problem i'm having now is the servo acuates to positions 2 and 3 but not position 1. the carriage lifts and lowers for the z offset. yet no servo actuation to switch hot-ends.

note on the servo its not a direct replacement. its a mini so i've made a adapter plate out of some kydex i had.

Ryan Andrews

Apr 27, 2019

Replying to

@Makertech When I first installed the arm, everything worked for maybe about 30 minutes. Now, when I power it up, the arm doesn't move at all on power up. If I choose to move the arm to hotend 2, it works just fine, but if I try to move back to 1, it doesn't move. If I then choose 2 again, the servo makes noise like it's trying to move (but can't because the DSE is in the way).

Makertech 3D

Apr 30, 2019

Replying to

@Ryan Andrews The potentiometer in the servo may have broken, we can send you a replacement servo if you'd like: replacement part form.

Ryan Andrews

Apr 30, 2019

Replying to

@Makertech Thanks, I'd like to try centering my servo once more just to be sure.

Makertech 3D

Apr 17, 2019

DSE Backplate dimensions and drawings for all of the other metal parts can be found in the downloads section of the site in the open-source documents folder.

We're aware of a few people are having issues with their servos and are looking into offering/recommending an upgraded version.

Arief

Apr 19, 2019

Replying to

Hi Adeel,

I think you can adding Degausser Magnet Solenoid on your DSE.

This Magnet act as Servo Brake that hold the Hotend from switching, so your servo can be deactivated for lenghten servo life time.

You can get it here :

Default Magnet is active when no Powering (Magnetizing).

When it powered, magnet is not active (Demagnetizing).

You need add 1 output pin from MKS that connected to 1 Relay for operate 2 Magnet solenoid, left one and right one (output Relay is COM, NO and NC contact. Use NO contact for powering Left Magnet Solenoid, NC contact for powering Right Magnet Solenoid. When output pin is HIGH, Left Magnet is ON, Right Magnet is OFF. When output pin is LOW, Left Magnet is OFF, Right Magnet is ON). Or you can add 2 output pins and 2 Relays so Magnet can be operated independently.

This is Switching sequence you can make in program.

Switching Hotend 1 to Hotend 2 :

1. Power On left magnet (demagnetize left magnet) so Hotend 1 can move freely.

2. Power Off Right magnet (magnetize right magnet).

3. Activate the servo to switching Hotend 1 to Hotend 2.

4. When Hotend 2 has touched the Right magnet, deactivate servo.

Servo only powered when switching process, other than that servo is powered off.

Magnet Solenoid only powered (Demagnetized) when switching process, other than that magnet is powered off (Magnetized).

By this method, you can save power consumption and servo life time can be lengthen.

This method is used in all typical industrial servo motor that using solenoid brake to hold motor position when there is no power / in idle position.

I attached the picture so you can understand my concept.

Maybe you can add more idea or suggest about this,

Makertech 3D

Apr 24, 2019

Replying to

@Arief This is a very interesting interesting idea, we initially prototyped a design with magnets but found that they weren't strong enough and also cancelled each other out, but these electromagnets are a great idea and may work. We're looking at making a lot of changes to not only the switching mechanism but also a custom made hotend for a future DSE 2.0, but that is quite a way away from now.