HPX2 Dual Extruder

[longshot]

Have any of you guys seen this? I tried to do a search but came up empty.

http://www.dglass3d.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They feature a product called an HPX2. Its a dual extruder with an autolift feature. I think if this works on our rostocks it would a pretty neat and easy upgrade for a dual extruder setup.

I'm using a dual extruder setup myself but the shimming, calibrating, etc is always difficult and I'm still tweaking it. This seams like win win if it works. Gap distances are known, a moving nozzle means you'll never snap the part as the 2nd nozzle brushes over the part.

The problem I can't understand is its a single motor, dual extruder. Their forums and support seems limited so I have no idea how its wired. The technology reminds me of the Stratasys systems with their Uprint or larger fortus machines as they have a retracting nozzle heads.

Any thoughts? Good bad? Try it out? Thoughts on wiring?

[Mac The Knife]

I don't see where the extruder lifts, they do say infinite retractions,,,, but that is done in software. The servo they show on their HPX2-MAX is how they are using one motor to drive both filaments,,,,, it is being used to shift gears.

[Mac The Knife]

I did find this,,,, lunch time is over, but it looks like they are using the filament to retract the spring loaded hotend? Kinda like using the molten filament as a hydraulic fluid?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dg ... s?ref=card

[bubbasnow]

yes they are using the force of the coldend extruder and filament to force the hotend down. when a retraction occurs its pulls out filament and relieves for spring and pulls the nozzle back up to an adjustable height

[Generic Default]

So the retraction must pull the filament all the way out of the barrel to activate the mechanism? That thing looks awesome, I just don't know about the price with how many machined metal components it has. Those parts look like they can't be mass produced on a bar fed lathe, and milling costs are usually higher because of the added labor for switching and positioning parts. Maybe if they're flat they can be AWJ cut.

[longshot]

On the Hpx2-Max:
The thing the bothers me is the wiring. How does one hook this in if they have a ramps? I see where the extruder is wired, but there is a servo that is attached that will switch the filament. How does repetier know to move the servo over? Are we talking firmware rework?

HPX2:
The HPX2 seems like a better fit for the Rostock. It features 2 extruders (we already know where they go on the ramps). And if what is above is true then retraction will force the nozzle up.

As a side note, for traditional dual nozzle setups . . . is there some kind of auto retraction of the nozzle not in use before the primary nozzle comes online?