RatRig VCore 3 Tool Changer (mod khớp nối kiểu E3D)

About

This is a tool changer modification for the RatRig VCore 3 printer that utilises an E3D style coupling.

Belts

This modifications is designed with the intention of being used on an VCore 3 with the so called “OpenFront” modifications where an alternative location exists for tensioning the printer belts.

Z-Probe

This modification is designed with the intention of using the z-probe mounts (or similar) used with the EVA system and specifically a SuperPINDA.  I will possibly design an alternative mount using a SPDT endstop type switch.

X-Endstop

This modification uses the blank EVA MGN12 top and therefore EVA X-endstop mounts can be reused.

Y-Endstop

This modification moves the Y-endstop to the front of the frame - once tested I will attach an STL.

Demo

Upcoming Enhancements

CAN Board Mounts

I am currently testing alternative extruder mounts that can fit 36 size CAN boards, e.g. BTT EBB36.

Heat Insert Sizing

I am investigating increasing heat insert chamfer from 0.5mm to 1.0mm to create a better fit.

Dock Improvements

I am going to implement some screw holes to retain the docking pins as I have had one pin start sliding out when un-docking tools.

Bill of Materials

Head

Part

Quantity

Comment

TC - Head - Front.stl

1

6 perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Head - Top.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Head - Bottom - Small.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Head - Back.stl

1

6 perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Head - Belt Grabber.stl

4

4 perimeters / top / bottom

10mm x 4mm Dowel Pin

6

SF695ZZ Bearing

1

4mm E-Clip

1

12mm x 3mm Dowel Pin

1

M3x3mm Grub Screw

1

Tool Coupler Shaft

1

From E3D

M3x6 Socket Head Screw

1

MR105RS Bearing

1

F5-12M Thrust Bearing

1

15mm x 1mm Spring

1

40T Mod 0.5 Gear

1

From E3D

M3 Washer

1

M3x10 Socket Head Screw

1

20T Mod 0.5 Gear

1

From E3D

M3x50 Socket Head Screw

4

Stepper Motor

1

From E3D

M3x8 Socket Head Screw

13

M2.5x8 Socket Head Screw

2

Omron D2HW-C201H Switch

1

Optional tool detect switch

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

3

M3 Full Hex Nut

12

M3x6mm Grub Screw

2

Motor Brace Options

Small - As designed by E3D

TC - Head - Motor Brace - Small.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

16mm Standoff

2

15mm standoff if using non-E3D stepper

M3x8 Socket Head Screw

2

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

2

Large - A larger version of the E3D design with 4 standoffs for more support

TC - Head - Motor Brace - Large.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

16mm Standoff

4

15mm standoff if using non-E3D stepper

M3x8 Socket Head Screw

4

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

4

Switches - A 4 standoff version with 2 SPDT switches for lock/unlock detection

TC - Head - Motor Brace - Switches.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Head - Cam.stl

1

4 perimeters / top / bottom

16mm Standoff

4

15mm standoff if using non-E3D stepper

M3x8 Socket Head Screw

6

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

6

Omron D2HW-C261H Switch

2

Stepper Motor: This build assumes the usage of the motor although I have trialled and used a 24BYJ-48 (available from Mouser and RS Components) which seems to work well too. I can provide alternative parts for this if required. 

Spring: I purchased a 20mm spring initially which was too long and I cut it down, the 10mm I have is slightly too short so would recommend a 15mm or 20mm and cut if required.

Dock

Note: This is for a single tool dock.

Part

Quantity

Comment

TC - Dock - Stand.stl

1

4 Perimeters / top /bottom

TC - Dock - Receiver.stl

1

4 Perimeters / top / bottom

M6x12 Socket Head Screw

2

M6 3030 T-Nut

2

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

3

M4x45 Locating Dowel Pin

2

Can be longer

M3x10 Socket Head Screw

1

M3x12 Socket Head Screw

2

M3x6mm Grub Screw

1

6mmx3mm Neodymium Magnet

1

Tools

Helical Lock Ramp: This can be 3D printed (TC - Tool - Ramp.stl) and I would recommend 0.1mm layer height or less.

Tool v2

BOM coming soon.

This tool is a modular tool which:

• Enables easier changing of parts (e.g. swap a hotend or extruder easily)
• Easier printing
• Better airflow for inward facing 5015

E3D Revo Micro / LGX Lite (Tool v1)

Part

Quantity

Comment

TC - Tool - Face.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - LGX Lite Mount.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - Revo Mount.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - 5010 Fan Mount.stl

1 (or 2)

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - Revo Fan Duct.stl

1 (or 2)

4 Perimeters / top / bottom

LGX Lite

1

E3D Revo Micro

1

8mm M3 Steel Ball 

3

Helical Lock Ramp

1

From E3D

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

15

M3x6mm Grub Screw

1

6mmx3mm Neodymium Magnet

1

Bowden Tube (2mm ID, 4mm OD)

1

M3x10 Countersunk Socket Head Screw

5

M3x6 Socket Head Screw

3

M3x16 Socket Head Screw

4

Phaetus Dragon HF / LGX Lite (Tool v1)

Part

Quantity

Comment

TC - Tool - Face.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - LGX Lite Mount.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - Dragon Mount.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

TC - Tool - 5010 Fan Mount.stl

1

6 Perimeters / top / bottom

LGX Lite

1

Phaetus Dragon

1

3010 Fan w/ Duct

1

8mm M3 Steel Ball 

3

Helical Lock Ramp

1

From E3D

M3xD4.6mmxL5.0mm Heat Insert

15

M3x6mm Grub Screw

1

6mmx3mm Neodymium Magnet

1

Bowden Tube (2mm ID, 4mm OD)

1

M3x10 Countersunk Socket Head Screw

5

M3x6 Socket Head Screw

3

M3x16 Socket Head Screw

4

Tool v1 Beta Tooling

Part

Comment

TC - Tool - Orbiter Face.stl

Tool interface plate without LDO36 motor support

TC - Tool - LGX Lite Mount CAN.stl

LGX Lite mount with CAN board support

TC - Tool - Orbiter Mount CAN.stl

Orbiter mount with CAN board support

Software Configuration

The configuration here presumes the usage of Klipper - Duet is not covered.

Plugin Installation

Install this excellent Klipper plugin by Andrei Ignat - https://github.com/TypQxQ/Klipper_ToolChanger

Klipper Configuration

I have uploaded my RatOS configuration folder to the following repository:

https://github.com/psyvision/vcore3-configuration

This is mostly typical RatOS configuration and the tool changer configuration is in the “additions” folder:

File / Folder

Purpose

coupler.cfg

Configuration and macros relating to the tool head coupler

dropoff.cfg

Macros relating to dropping tools onto docks

pickup.cfg

Macros relating to picking up tools from docks

tX.cfg

Configuration relating to individual tools

toolchanger.cfg

ToolChanger Klipper plugin configuration

tools.cfg

ToolChanger Klipper plugin tool configuration

speed-limits-performance.cfg

steppers.cfg

tmc2209-performance.cfg

These files provide the same functionality/configuration as the original RatOS configuration except removing the extruder configuration

Version History

Version

Date

Comment

v0.10

28/10/2022

Added Tool Version 2

v0.9

15/10/2022

Added Orbiter CAN mount - currently under test 

Added LGX Lite CAN mount - currently in use

Updated all dock files

v0.8

13/07/2022

Added Revo Mount for using M12 A2 Nut

Added LGX cable brace

v0.7

28/06/2022

Added Tool STEP files

v0.6

08/04/2022

Updated TC - Head - Back files

v0.5

01/04/2022

Revised dock with cable bracing

Partial STEP file publication

v0.4

31/03/2022

Improved dock cable management

Mirrored fan/cable on LGX Lite mount

Software configuration update

Add head bottom with ADXL mounting

v0.3

10/03/2022

Update dock files

Added carriage motor brace options

v0.2

25/02/2022

Updated after initial trials

v0.1

21/02/2022

Initial beta release

Attribution

This modification would not be possible without designs from:

• E3D Online (Tool changer)
• Pawel Kucmus (EVA platform)
• Joshua Vasquez (Jubilee 3D)
• Andrei Ignat (Klipper Toolchanger plugin)