User:Jamie.hollander/Quick Change Extruder

Week1 Narrative
The Quick Change Extruder Project involves developing a system that will allow for 3D printer head to be changed quickly and easily. After discussions with the course instructor, it was determined that I would figure out how to use the laser cutter. The team decided that I would focus my initial efforts to better understand the laser cutter. I conducted internet research and learned some basic information on how laser cutters work and what the benefits of using a laser cutter are. Precision and no wear are two of the main benefits I determined that would make a laser cutter more useful than other methods of cutting. However, my research has led me to believe that the laser cutter would not be the best place to start in developing the Quick Change Extruder system. When it comes to fabrication, I believe that using another 3D printer to print the new head is a better idea. In addition to researching the laser cutter, I spent time brainstorming ideas for how to streamline the extruder change process. I discussed with my team some of the issues that we needed to consider when developing our strategy including what to do with the wiring, creating a universal base for all printers, and possible variation in printer head motor size. Team discussions also included the possibility of re-routing all of the printer wires to one location that will allow for easier location and serve as a possible connection point for all wires. I suggested the possibility of adding a splice box with a plug-like system on one side of the print head. If each print head could be easily plugged in or disconnected at the same point, there would be no need to follow the lengthy maze of wires and risk hooking the wrong wires up to the wrong connection. The team agrees in theory that this sounds like a good idea and next week I plan to research different options for connecting the wires.

Week2 Narrative
During the second week of the project, I focused my efforts on using 3D modeling software to create a draft design for the quick change base. Lloyd made a detailed sketch of the current base that is on the printer. I decided that based on the size of the second print head, the quick change base was going to need to be larger. In order to accommodate the size of the print head, I doubled the base length and used Sketchup to begin a draft design. It took longer than I expected to get acclimated to the 3D modeling program but I was able to get a rough drawing created. Lloyd created a separate mock up out of cardboard that incorporated some very important details (including a latch and stop to keep the head from shifting) that my design did not have. 3D modeling and printing the quick change base will be a much better way of producing the material and I will need to focus on designing and creating a base for the print head to rest. The main components of the project at this point are modeling/printing a base and developing a system to isolate the wiring to one area of the printer. Next week I will focus my efforts on the electrical connection portion of the project.

Week3 Narrative
For the third week of the project, I focused on the electrical component of the quick change process. My goal is to determine the best way to move all of the wires to one area and develop a system so that the printer heads can be plugged and unplugged quickly and easily. I spent time in the HCC lab visually inspecting various types of wires and how they connect. The box of printer wires proved to be very helpful because it sparked some ideas as to some different ways that I might be able to make the plug system. Through discussions with the instructor, it seems an important part of the process will be soldering the electrical connections. Since I have never soldered anything, I spent a lot of time researching how to solder and when soldering is necessary. I watched three youtube videos on how to solder and created a basic step by step soldering instruction list in my engineering notebook. Once the project progresses, I will be able to solder all necessary connections.

The most successful part of this week was my trip to Baynesville Electronics near Towson, MD. After speaking with a store representative, I am now confident that the team has two options for the wiring system. I believe that I can either use Molex connections or DB connector (either crimped or soldered). Next week I am going to meet with the team to discuss the pros and cons of each and my expectation is that once a decision is made, I will spend time setting up one of the print heads with the plug system.

Week4 Narrative
''Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the first weekend. Link to any CDIO documents you are working on that need to be considered for project points. Compare your task with what you actually did.''