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.

53238 Comments

Anonymous

MelvinAnync (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 05:28

<a href=https://vk.com/burtseva.brows>салон красоты севастополь</a> Хотите сделать брови в Севастополе? В нашей студии вас ждут опытные бровисты, которые помогут вам создать брови вашей мечты! Мы предлагаем полный спектр услуг по уходу за бровями: коррекция формы, окрашивание хной и краской, долговременная укладка и перманентный макияж. Запишитесь прямо сейчас и получите консультацию в подарок!

Anonymous

DanielDum (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 05:29

[b]Myself understand[/b] the way intimidating it feels at the moment water creates one’s dwelling and family’s convenience into peril.
[b]Yet[/b] you are not solitary.
[b]We’re[/b] present to shield the residence along with this kindness of one’s family day-to-day, working attentively along with soundly so all yourself love stays intact.
[b]This[/b] staff responds swiftly to halt destruction together with avoid mold, providing somebody peace belonging to mind.
[b]Furthermore[/b] supported by the always-on assistance, you forever get a partner near their position — prepared aiming to support you protect one’s family secure and one’s home filled via convenience.
[b]Find peace in your home[/b] - [u]Call: 8338561951[/u]

Anonymous

JasonFef (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 06:13

Мы работаем с любыми видами грузов и помогаем снизить риски при их оформлении на таможне: <a href=https://tamozhenniiy-broker11.ru/>таможенныый брокер для юридических лиц</a>

Anonymous

wildpickle3apold (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 06:48

Je kiffe a mort FatPirate, ca donne une energie de pirate dejantee. Il y a un ocean de titres varies, avec des slots qui dechirent. Les agents sont rapides comme l’eclair, joignable par chat ou email. Les transactions sont simples comme bonjour, par moments des recompenses en plus ca serait la cerise. En gros, FatPirate c’est du lourd a tester absolument pour les fans de casinos en ligne ! A noter aussi l’interface est fluide et ultra-cool, ce qui rend chaque session encore plus kiffante.
<a href=https://drgolam.com/evaluation-approfondie-de-fatpirate/>fatpirate pЕ™ihlГЎЕЎenГ­</a>|

Anonymous

kiki4apold (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 06:48

Je suis totalement sous le charme de 1win Casino, ca procure une aventure palpitante. La selection est incroyablement riche, avec des machines a sous modernes et dynamiques. Le personnel est professionnel et attentionne, garantissant une assistance de qualite. Les paiements sont fluides et fiables, cependant davantage de recompenses seraient appreciees. Pour conclure, 1win Casino est une plateforme exceptionnelle pour les joueurs en quete de sensations fortes ! Ajoutons que la navigation est simple et rapide, ce qui amplifie le plaisir de jouer.

<a href=https://recipes.snydle.com/comment-les-probabilites-influencent-vos-succ... скачать</a>|

Anonymous

quirkytoad9apold (not verified)

on

Sun, 09/21/2025 - 07:32

Je trouve carrement genial Impressario, ca donne une energie de star absolue. Les options sont variees et eblouissantes, incluant des jeux de table pleins de panache. Les agents sont rapides comme des cometes, joignable par chat ou email. Les retraits sont fluides comme une choregraphie, mais bon des bonus plus reguliers ce serait la classe. En gros, Impressario est une plateforme qui vole la vedette pour les fans de casinos en ligne ! Cote plus la plateforme claque avec son look de star, booste l’immersion a fond.
<a href=https://charlynooi.com/2025/08/25/analyse-experte-des-services-impressar... casino login</a>|

Pages

Add your comment

Plain text

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