Low Cost, Open Source Tool Changer Uses Magnets to ‘Make Tool Changing Accessible’
The user-created design takes inspiration from E3D and Jubilee tool changers and is compatible with lightweight tools such as pen plotters and diode lasers.
Making the rounds on Reddit this week is an innovative, user-created tool-changer that is open source and “mostly printed.”
User total_desaster’s design is inspired by E3D and Jubilee tool changers. It uses a small stepper motor that rotates a circle of magnets, aligning like or opposing poles to dock or undock tools.
“The magnets can align a lot of errors,” total_desaster writes. “I can pretty much throw a tool at the head and it’ll probably dock correctly. An interesting side effect is that the nozzle can ‘flop’ a little if it hits something, like a blob on a part.”
The tool changer is compatible with essentially any 3D printer with a motion system that moves the print head in the X- and Y- axes. Lightweight tools such as Bowden hot ends, lasers, or pen plotters are recommended – anything heavier and the magnets may not hold.
Those interested in using the tool changer will need to design a carriage and dock base for their 3D printer. You’ll also need to modify your printer’s firmware with the tool changer code, which is currently only available for Klipper. You can find total_desaster’s tool changer mechanism on GitHub, including CAD files, assembly drawings, and full setup instructions.
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License: The text of "Low Cost, Open Source Tool Changer Uses Magnets to ‘Make Tool Changing Accessible’" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.