Filament Splicer

Project cancelled, click here to read why
The idea for Filament Splicer was born about a month after our Ultimaker 3D Printer was build. As cool as 3D Printing is, printing in one color is boring.

Users of normal, single head FFF/FDM printers are stuck with single color unless they join filament pieces together to produce one multi-colored string. It is not very complicated but process is quite awkward and you will get fed up very quickly.

If you want to have proper, stable filament join you need to have right temperature on the tip of plastic when you connect pieces together. This is hard to achieve when you use some arbitrary heat source. You either underheat or overheat and burn the plastic. Using print head of your printer is best 'ad-hoc' solution but it leaves quite a mess on it, you cannot print when you splice and plastic which is in the head slowly gets burned while you take time to splice your string.

Then, of course there is issue with forming of the joint, carpet knife and fingers where our favorite tools for that job but it took quite a long time to form each joint.

We have had our share of failed prints due to broken joints / stuck filament and finally decided to create a device which will help to splice filament. Initial idea was to create fully automated unit: you place filament ends on copper block, close it, push the button and viola - you have your joint. That was the theory.... In practice this is impossible because PLA and ABS expand during heat-up and contract during cool down, this results in either no joint at all or bubble-filled mess.

Many headache filled days [Even best PLA is really nasty stuff when you breath it in for a while] later we dropped the idea and went for 'open' model with precisely manufactured grooves which help to quickly heat up, connect and form joints.

Thermal insulation was another challenge, we wanted to allow up to 260c temperature but nothing could properly insulate enclosure from hot copper block for prolonged period of time. Ceramic fiber thermal tape can take that heat but one needs a lot of it and then there is itching... Chinese tape is horrible and even best branded, made in USA [ThermoTec] tape is not flawless. We eventually gave up on ceramic fibre and went with PFTA [Teflon] plates. Since PFTA can be outright poisonous at high temperatures, we decided to use high quality - made in Europe material - this way we are sure that maximum temperature of 235c is well within safety limit.

Availability

Filament splicer can be pre-ordered via our campaign on Indiegogo, it is available as a DIY kit or fully assembled unit.

 

Assembled
Assembled
Kit
Kit

 

Open Source

Filament splicer blueprints are released under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License and can be downloaded from Thingiverse and Youmagine.

Tags: 
projects
filament splicer

38443 Comments

Anonymous

Anawhown (not verified)

on

Thu, 06/05/2025 - 03:48

Не могу сейчас принять участие в дискуссии - нет свободного времени. Но скоро обязательно напишу что я думаю.
For example, stricter regulation of the [url=https://StemCellTreatmentCost.com/]https://StemCellTreatmentCost.com[/url] helps to ensure development and use harmless and ethical methods of healing with stem cells.

Anonymous

Paulaopile (not verified)

on

Thu, 06/05/2025 - 08:09

Below are the latest {reviews|analytics} and {articles|materials|publications} {on our|our website|resource|portal|site|platform|website|web resource lespro.org . a distinctive | characteristic | positive feature | feature of this |mentioned | specified building material | consumable | material is | considered | recognized | remains simplicity | ease of assembly | installation, which | significantly | seriously| significantly| significantly reduces | reduces | reduces the complexity | time | complexity of finishing | work. the positive| positive |approved characteristics |parameters | features of this|this | such | similar products | building materials can be attributed |include: environmentally friendly|impeccable|eco-friendly natural|natural|natural material|source, high|excellent|remarkable quality|quality of processing|finishing, decent|attractive appearance | appearance |appearance, pleasant|elegant|unobtrusive smell|aroma, positive|good|positive|health-improving energy| energy power of wood|material|lining, a large|solid|rich assortment|variety|selection of manufactured|manufactured|manufactured|offered products|product. lining|this building material is sold|sold|supplied wholesale|in large batches or|or|as well as retail|in small batches, which|determines|determines|price|price and efficiency|speed|delivery time|delivery|transportation. the cost | price | price list is also | in addition | influenced | influenced by the breed | variety of wood | wood, grade | quality. this | lining is an excellent | excellent |magnificent|immaculate |impeccable material | building material | consumable for exterior |exterior and interior | interior decoration | decoration | equipment of gazebos | altanas | pergolas| pavilions, baths | saunas, cottages| houses| villas. but | however, now|from now on| from this moment on, you know | are aware| aware of where it is |really|easiest/ to buy|purchase| order high-quality|excellent| optimal and inexpensive | affordable lining | building materials. we|our company|our organization offer|supply|sell our products|goods at the most| most|most/most democratic|budget|loyal|acceptable|liberal|reasonable price|value|price list, and they are of high|excellent|excellent quality| class. All products|building materials are manufactured |manufactured|released| made on imported|foreign|advanced|modern equipment|equipment|equipment from natural|environmentally friendly|impeccable materials|consumables|rocks. The sale|sale is carried out| is underway | is carried out all year round | continuously, a system | scheme of discounts | preferential rates is in effect | is in operation| has been developed. you can | have the opportunity | get the chance to pay | settle in any | whatever way convenient | convenient | convenient for you | way | option | method. contact|contact directly |directly to the website|resource|portal|site|platform|website|web resource lespro.org , managers|consultants|specialists|experts|qualified employees|professionals will advise you|answer any questions|tell you everything by phone|remotely and|as well as arrange |arrange|ensure prompt| the fastest | fastest possible delivery | transportation | delivery of the order | building materials | lining across the country | to any city | to the specified point | to the named address.} {resource|site|portal|website}. Instead of #file_links["C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\file\gsa+en+Ivan86c36dxnw24P2URLBB.txt",1,N], {you|they} {need|need|need} will {play|cut} in {casino|cards|slots} that are licensed {in another country|abroad|in another country} and {have|carry|have at their disposal|have There are more universal powers at your disposal.

Pages

Add your comment

More information about text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.