Material Extrusion

Question 1

Integrates “direct drive” extruders

Answer 1

• Simpiler but increase weight of print head
• Rarely exhibit feed problems but may reduce printing speeds
• Extra mass creates greater inertia so acceleration becomes limiting factor

Question 2

Remote “Bowden” extruders

Answer 2

• Situated away from print head
• Uses a bowden tube to transmit mechanical force to hot end
• Tend to be faster
• Filament driver either toothed or groved bolt attatched to a stepper motor and an adjacent opposing wheel
• Filament squeexed between wheel and bolt, this resistance provides the torque to feed or retract the filament