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

28680 Comments

Anonymous

BrittanySnutt (not verified)

on

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 21:26

Конечно. Так бывает. Можем пообщаться на эту тему.
Щоб купити матеріали Будівельні, немає потреби завдає візит в різні магазини і знаходити потрібний товар. ми підбираємо в асортимент магазину нові [url=https://boxigo.in/blog/10-tips-for-choosing-the-best-packers-and-movers-... і традиційні будтовари з гармонійним співвідношенням ціни і виконання.

Anonymous

BrittanySnutt (not verified)

on

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 23:13

Я конечно, прошу прощения, это мне совсем не подходит. Спасибо за помощь.
Натуральна черепиця: керамічна або цементно-піщана. вони являють собою основою будь-якого будівництва, починаючи від закладки фундаменту і будівництва стін до покрівлі, [url=https://shoescent44.edublogs.org/2021/07/13/what-is-sms-advertising-and-... внутрішньої і зовнішньої обробки.

Anonymous

WinfredAnoft (not verified)

on

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 23:28

Our limousine service offers luxurious transportation for various needs. We provide [url=https://taxi-prive.com/limo-service-seattle-airport-reviews/] Seattle Airport Shuttle Service [/url] for groups, ensuring timely pick-up and drop-off at Sea-Tac International Airport. For smaller parties seeking comfort and style, our Seattle Airport SUV Service is an excellent choice, with ample luggage space and plush interiors. Both services are designed for seamless, stress-free travel. We prioritize professionalism, with courteous chauffeurs and meticulously maintained vehicles. Our fleet includes sleek sedans, SUVs, and stretch limousines for special occasions. We cater to corporate travel, weddings, proms, and nights out. Safety and reliability are our hallmarks, with real-time flight tracking for airport services and 24/7 customer support. Book with us for an elevated travel experience in the Seattle area.Our limousine service offers luxurious transportation for various needs. We provide Seattle Airport Shuttle Service for groups, ensuring timely pick-up and drop-off at Sea-Tac International Airport. For smaller parties seeking comfort and style, our [url=https://taxi-prive.com/limo-service-seattle-airport-reviews/] Seattle Airport SUV Service [/url] is an excellent choice, with ample luggage space and plush interiors. Both services are designed for seamless, stress-free travel. We prioritize professionalism, with courteous chauffeurs and meticulously maintained vehicles. Our fleet includes sleek sedans, SUVs, and stretch limousines for special occasions. We cater to corporate travel, weddings, proms, and nights out. Safety and reliability are our hallmarks, with real-time flight tracking for airport services and 24/7 customer support. Book with us for an elevated travel experience in the Seattle area.

Anonymous

Staceygusia (not verified)

on

Mon, 06/02/2025 - 23:51

Вы попали в самую точку. Мне кажется это очень хорошая мысль. Полностью с Вами соглашусь.
[url=https://fueraya.es/]fueraya.es[/url] es propiedad de whg (international) limited y se estima que sus ingresos anuales superan los 20 miles miles de dolares.

Anonymous

JustinZekly (not verified)

on

Tue, 06/03/2025 - 00:02

По моему мнению Вы допускаете ошибку. Предлагаю это обсудить.
izl?m?y? baslaya bil?rsiniz ir?li, nec? oynamaq burada; burada ed? bil?rsiniz ir?li gorm?k, B?li oynamaq burada; burada ed? bil?rsiniz ir?li gorm?k, ucun oynamaq burada; burada furs?t|sans qazan} ir?li bax?n, ucun bahis burada; burada ed? bil?rsiniz ir?li bax?n, b?li oynamaq burada; burada ed? bil?rsiniz ir?li bax?n, to oynamaq burada., [url=https://magnoliamedianetwork.com/azerbaycan-2025-yenilnmi-mrclr-v-slot-o... bu m?qal?d? t?svir olunur ?sas oyun xususiyy?tl?ri.

Anonymous

Дизайн-Человека (not verified)

on

Tue, 06/03/2025 - 00:42

В целом, Дизайн человека может быть полезным инструментом для самопознания, саморазвития, и улучшения качества жизни. Он помогает понять себя и окружающий мир, и найти свой путь, который приносит счастье и удовлетворение. <a href="http://clients1.google.com.ar/url?rct=j&url=https://StarAstro.ru ">Ворота 55 дизайн человека </a>

Анализ своего Дизайна Человека может помочь в понимании причин, по которым вы испытываете определенные трудности, разочарования, и как можно их преодолеть.
Тип – это основа, но ваша уникальность проявляется через Профиль, Центры, Каналы и Ворота.
Дизайн Человека позволяет учитывать индивидуальные особенность каждого человека и учит познавать свою истинную природу.

Anonymous

Cecilideta (not verified)

on

Tue, 06/03/2025 - 00:45

есть некоторые нормальные
61. Siranoski D. Powerful effects of [url=https://TherapyAutismStemCells.com/]https://TherapyAutismStemCells.com[/... Japan's policy on stem cells. The first clinical trial on dpscs for regeneration of the maxillofacial bone was provided in 2009 (53). The patients who participated in designated study suffered from severe bone loss after the removal of the third molars.

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.