Download the Installation guide and read carefully before taking on this modification. Go to the files tab page and scroll down until you find the PDF file for the installation guide. This extruder requires you to remove material from your K1 toolhead in order to fit it.
29.12.24 Update. New Installation guide updated to also use the new Orbiter V2.5 donor extruder.
Checkout the remixes for modified versions.
Two new extruder models for the Creality K1, K1C & K1 Max. Standard model called Libra, Filament sensor model called Trigger.
Print files on this listing are for the Libra, no filament sensor version.
Key Features.
- The tension screw is positioned directly in line with the filament centre axis plane. This balances the forces on the latch arm to stop the latch arm twisting, flexing and releasing clamping pressure. In effect making the latch arm five times stiffer (shown with FEA) than the Cyclops design. This extra stiffness in the arm allows the user to apply more clamping pressure on the filament drive gears without the tension screw bottoming out the top of the latch arm first.
The name Libra means balance scales in Latin, so references the new balanced latch arm.
- The Trigger model uses a SPDT Ultra Mini Microswitch with “Roller” Lever Actuator for its filament sensor switch.
- Has been tested with and proven to print TPU with a low shore hardness of 60A using an overhead filament spool holder. (Collet & feed tube removed)
Differences to Orbiter & Cyclops extruders:
- Printed shaft spacer washers added to lock the flange bearing on the shaft in the correct position and to stop the shaft moving axially under Y travel accelerations.
- Three countersunk screws retain the flange bearing in the housing to lock the shaft & drive gear axially. This is a solid fixture and removes the need for a high tolerance precession made bore hole to make an interference fit for the bearing. This method is also used on the Galileo 2 extruder.
- The 12mm OD. x 3.5mm wide front end bearing protrudes outwards of the housing by 0.5mm, this is intentional and is free to float.
- Tighter fitting input & output, TPU friendly, filament guides. These are positioned tight as possible to the drive gears in order to stop the filament taking the wrong route and completely missing the exit port. The Orbiter & Cyclops design are very poor in this area as they do allow the filament to miss the exit port and wrap around inside the extruder and jam it.
- Vented gearbox housing. On the Orbiter & Cyclops extruders the air inside the planetary gearbox is trapped. This trapped air will transfer heat from the hot stepper motor to the aluminium drive shaft, the aluminium shaft being an excellent heat conductor will then wick away the heat to the filament drive gears. The Libra & Trigger extruders have an bottom air inlet and top outlet for the passage of rising hot air thus cooling the internals of the gearbox and drive shaft.
- Two bottom outlet port options for either 4mm PTFE link tube or 3mm unicorn nozzle tube.
- Main body 0.8mm wider than the Cyclops across the mounting faces, for better fit and reduce the risk of jacking out the threaded inserts when tightening the mounting screws.
Uses 4mm inlet collect from the Orbiter. Can provide model with a smaller top hole for the smaller Bondtech LGX Lite collects by request.
See the installation guide for additional components required to complete the installation.
This installation requires the K1 to be “rooted” so the “printer.cfg” settings can be changed for the Libra & Trigger extruders.
Caution.
This extruder requires you to remove material from your K1 toolhead in order to fit it. Only attempt this modification if you have the correct tools, craft & electrical skills, as once you have removed material and if you accidentally remove to much, you can't put it back on.
Fitting this extruder will invalidate any warranty you have on the K1 printer or Orbiter extruder.
Carry out this modification and installation at your own risk.
BrynD
