MXL Quick Release Belt Drive feeder.

Quick Release Belt Drive feeder works
https://youtu.be/L1bhO8OLWd8 via @YouTube

This belt feeder has worked very, very well but after some strong handed uses I discovered some parts will benefit from making stronger, I am working on this now.

If possible position the latch blot toward the front for easier access.

This belt slipping is after quite a lot of use.

Harder filament than PLA should work better

IMPORTANT !!!
I have been let down by the bolt supplier who indicated that it was possible to obtain M4 Hex head part threaded bolts. It appears that the smallest Hex head part threaded bolts are M5 size:-

I have modified the files to take a M5 x 45mm Hex "Part Threaded"** Bolt.

** Important Part Threaded to slide when unhooking the Quick Release :-

Modifications:-
a) Bigger hole for the M5 bolt in the longer "Pin"
b) Bigger grove for the M5 bolt in the "Push Plate"
c) Bigger Hex Hole for the M5 bolt head to latch into in the "Main Body"

Also file added "USE_Two_Bowdens_Hex_Bolt_Main_Body.stl" this has a
Bowden fitting on both input and output filament sides. This is ideal if you want to feed via a Bowden tube into this MXL Quick Release Belt Drive feeder e.g. from an enclosed box to help keep the filament dry. This has a small insert hole chamfer to make it easier to insert the filament. Sometimes when first inserting the filament it catches on the pushfit pneumatic connector. There are pass through versions of pushfit pneumatic connectors that may help stop this. This new design has a small chamfer into it for the filament that should help first insertion.

The "USE_Hex_Bolt_Main_Body.stl" file has more of a cone to feed filament into the MXL Quick Release Belt Drive feeder.

And some other improvements

This is a remix to :-

a) Make it a Quick Release Belt Drive feeder
b) Add a bit of style, e.g. Dragon Symbol.
c) Make it a bit thicker to add strength, not really needed from the original design

This is a remix feeder is strongly based on :-

Belt Feed MXL Belt Bowden Extruder 1.75mm
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:581170

The Dragon Symbol is from:-
http://www.myminifactory.com/object/dragon-4543

I have made some changes that should improved this Quick Release Belt Drive system. Including making the quick release catch in the Main Body wider at the top to help the bolt head to be inserted.

These files/parts are supplied as is and so far as I can tell it should function. I have been only able to carry out some limited testing:-

Quick Release Belt feed first test print :-
Note the catching in this video, has been fixed with the "Thinner Main Belt Drive":-
https://youtu.be/gEas7wuOfz8?list=PLUqt0sTiXUDfXiC6HzSiRrjF2sPHV-EEZ

Quick Release Belt Drive Feeder build assembly:-
https://youtu.be/Ii-TJyDoklc?list=PLUqt0sTiXUDfXiC6HzSiRrjF2sPHV-EEZ

Please see the YouTube Play List Quick Release Belt Drive Feeding:-
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUqt0sTiXUDfXiC6HzSiRrjF2sPHV-EEZ

Notes on printing:-

"Main Body". Print with supports because of overhangs.

"Push Plate". Print with supports because of overhangs.

NB: "Push Plate " Note there is a left and a right hole for a 4mm bolt. The hole on the same side as the lug with the position for a inserted nut, (not needed), and the same side of the lever should be drilled to 4mm but the other hole should be only drilled to 3.5mm. This is so that the 4mm bolt can move, turn, freely on the side of the lever but will have to have the threads forced in on the other side so that it is very tight and this will stop it coming loose without the need for the inserted nut on the other "Push Plate" lug.

"Thinner Main Belt Drive". May need to be printed slower because of curves and belt teeth.

"Pins", print with brim because of height to diameter

Some Hardware information:-

The Drive Belt:-
76MXL025 95-Tooth 6.4mm Width Black Industrial Synchronous Timing Belt 7.6"
eBay seller : sellerbible

20 Tooth belt pinion : Plastic model may cause the drive belt to slip, I have not modified the plastic part. An aluminium 20 Tooth belt pinion is recommended.

Filament skateboard drive bearing:-

I tried a shallow groove bearing but believe this causes the filament to slip sometimes, as it does not press firm enough because of the groove. A normal skateboard, (no groove), works better for me after some testing of feeding 1.75mm Filament.

Knurl Nuts, to adjust the tension on the "Push Plate" NOTE Have to be M5 :-
Packs of 10 M4 M5 M6 NYLON THUMB NUTS without Collar (Coarse KNURLED)
m5 x 16mm Diameter
eBay Seller : atters153

eBay XTREME 10mm ALLOY SKATEBOARD BEARING SPACERS
+ Speed Rings + Axle Nuts + ABEC Speed Rings ... 8mm bore designed to perfectly align bearings.
eBay Seller : xtremesportandleisure-uk

Speed Rings fit on the inside part of the skateboard bearing and prevent the bearing outside rubbing, jamming, etc...

I have modified the files to take a M5 x 45mm Hex "Part Threaded" Bolt. Important Part Threaded to slide when unhooking the Quick Release

I have modified the "Main Body" to have a Hex Bolt head fitting that I hope should resolve this turning issue:-

** Quick Release Belt Drive Feeder One Tweak and improvement other issue
https://youtu.be/TgToH-6afN8?list=PLUqt0sTiXUDfXiC6HzSiRrjF2sPHV-EEZ

IMPORTANT !!!

I have been let down by the bolt supplier who indicated that it was possible to obtain M4 Hex head part threaded bolts. It appears that the smallest Hex head part threaded bolts are M5 size:-

I have modified the files to take a M5 x 45mm Hex "Part Threaded"** Bolt.

** Important Part Threaded to slide when unhooking the Quick Release.

A redesign of ALL this model for M5 size bolt:-
a) Bigger hole for the M5 bolt in the longer "Pin"
b) Bigger grove for the M5 bolt in the "Push Plate"
c) Bigger Hex Hole for the M5 bolt head to latch into in the "Main Body"

*Part Threaded Shaft, is needed because this bolt needs to slide to hook or unhook for Quick Release, etc..

Other parts Hob Bolts, Skateboard bearings, normal 8mm washes, 4mm bolt for the "Push Plate", etc are generally available.

Part files:-

20_tooth_MXL_Motor_pulley.stl
USE_Hex_Bolt_Main_Body.stl
USE_Pins.stl
USE_Push_Plate_no_nut_needed.stl
USE_Thiner_Main_Belt_Drive.stl

I do not recommend this print 20_tooth_MXL_Motor_pulley.stl a 20 Tooth belt pinion : Plastic model may cause the drive belt to slip, I have not modified the plastic part. An aluminium 20 Tooth belt pinion is recommended.

Added these three files go togeter:-
Nut Grip for 12mm Bowden Tube Clamp 4mm tube.stl
12mm Bowden Tube Clamp 4mm tube.stl
Filament_Feeder_Belt_drive_Quick_Release_Two_12mm_Bowdens_Hex_Bolt_Main_Body.stl This has two 12mm threaded holes for the 12mm Bowden Tube Clamp 4mm tube with the Nut Grip for 12mm Bowden Tube Clamp 4mm tube on it.

Mk'2 is different, previously good but had a weak pln with the hole in, theses updated files are marked with Mk.2

.