I have a Makerbot Replicator 1 Dual that has never worked that great and I have spent the last 6 years messing with it. My print seems to fail around the 30 minute mark and the drive gear just spins on the filament leaving a notch so it no longer moves. I’ve used new nosles and upgraded to the spring loaded drive block. Spring-loaded Replicator 2 Drive Block by MakerBot - Thingiverse I recently noticed that while cleaning the drive gear that they are directional and that mine have been swapped the whole time I have had it. I thought my failed print days were over but I was wrong.
My idea is to take my left drive block and add it to my right giving it double the grip on the filament. To do this I plan on using the Makerbot software to export the gcode for my model. Then I write a program to drive the left gear the same time as the right. I have already found all of the gcode commands do this. I need to write a simple program that automates this. Then I need to convert the updated gcode back into the binary format may Makerbot expects which is .x3g by using the GPX project. GitHub - markwal/GPX: Gcode to x3g conversion post processor I have already successfully done this.
Now I just need to find a way to mount this. I first thought that I would put this drive system next to the filament reel which would push the filament thru the guide tube and remove weight from the printer head. The other option is to mount this directly above the right drive block which would make it easier to load and unload filament as I would not be able to automatically drive this extra stepper during this step.
I’m hoping that someone can give me some good advice as to whether this idea would work or is even worth it. It doesn’t look like I have any options for buying an upgraded extruder for my 3d printer.
I also thought about doing a gear based system like this one. Drew's Planetary Geared Extruder by Ellindsey - Thingiverse
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
