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http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:9850

Mixing colors like this is a cool idea. RichRap is always up to neat things.



This would be a cool way to reuse scraps at the end of a spool too.

It is and works great AND you don't need to build a contraption to fuse the ends. I simply hold the ends in a candle flame and then insert the ends in opposite ends of a 2mm ID PTFE tube. That holds them in place as they fuse. I made a lot of whistles like these 2 years ago:

[img]http://mhackney.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v38 ... 5309-3.jpg[/img]
(done on my H1)

RichRap is one of the blogs to follow in the 3D world, he's always up to something interesting. His new(isn) little printed delta printer is pretty cool.

Good idea, Michael
I will keep that trick in mind.
thanks for sharing


I built a fixture awhile back trying to do just that. Machined UHMW blocks with grooves that clamped 2 pieces end to end, then injected acetone at the joint with a hypodermic syringe. Never could get a good bond.

One advantage to the PTFE tube method: I split the tube lengthwise, that way I can splice a new color in while the machine is running and be able to remove the tubing! Saved my butt a number of times when I came close to running out of filament!

Hate to necro this but I had no success attempting mhackney's method just now using abs, could we get a tutorial perhaps?

I built a filament joiner last year out of an aluminum rod with a .063 hole in it. Just like mhackney, use a lighter to heat and fuse together.

pic?

Sure but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. It's at work.

Nm. Had a pic on my phone.

so do u melt the filament then stick it into the rod or what? i couldnt fit my melty abs thru the end of the ptfe tubing after i held it to a candle, it deformed too badly

Pull one piece thru the cylinder and expose just the tip. Light it and pull the filament half way down. Immediately push a cold piece into the hole and apply pressure to both pieces. Hold it for a few seconds and pull it thru the cylinder. Takes a little practice but you'll get thing of it.

I backed the Palette last week: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mo ... nav_search

It joins up to four filaments according to software instructions. They have produced a few interesting objects with it. As far as I can tell, it has sub-layer accuracy, and there is some feedback mechanism that lets it make sure that the right filament arrives at the right time.

I think the next Big Thing will be a machine that does this - but mixes colors like a paint machine, starting with a white base and then adding CMYK.

Can I get a video of this filament joining process in action? Everytime I try it the bond just breaks as soon as I remove it from the tube.

TFMike wrote:Can I get a video of this filament joining process in action? Everytime I try it the bond just breaks as soon as I remove it from the tube.

This is probably a silly question, but are you cooling it down to <50C before you remove it?