Anycubic Vyper Direct Drive Extruder Adapter for Orbiter 2 (FreeCAD)

This adapter installs an Orbiter V2.0 extruder in direct-drive-configuration ontop of the original hotend. This DDE-adapter was designed for the version “C” of the Anycubic Vyper, maybe it can be modified to fit into a version “A” or “B”.

I put the FreeCAD-file into this distribution, so you can modify it to your needs.

The CAD-file also includes mechanical models of the anycubic base plate, the x-axis-wheels, the Orbiter, the hotend-holder (strain gauge), the volcano hotend and the electrical connection (ribbon connector).

The parts in the file may help someone to design something else for the Vyper - but please don't only rely on my parts, I can't ensure there are no errors in it…

Here is a link to the Homepage of the Orbiter-project. It contains very good information about developing an extruder and which design-decisions were made when building the Orbiter V2.0.

What you get with this model:

• integration of the awsome Orbiter V2.0 in DDE-configuration into your Vyper
• the shortest possible filament-path between extruder and hotend
• the strain gauge sensor for the auto-leveling is still working  
• the Orbiter in the right orientation with the lever on the righthand side

What you have to modify:

• the original hotend-/cooler-cover will not fit - I use the “Vyper Dual 5015 V2 Rev2” cooler and removed the printhead cover completely
• to get back the lighting for the printing zone, you can use my solution for the “Dual 5015” cooler
• the DDE-adapter collides with the original left X-axis cover, I designed a smaller one
• the original extruder has to be removed (obviously :) but the filament runout sensor can be used, I set up an adapter for it
• there is a plastic cube between the metal base plate and the electrical ribbon connector. You have to cut off the retainer tabs at the backside of the metal base plate - use a cutter knife flat on the backside (if you don‘t, you will see what I mean when you try to assemble :)
• you have to cut away the cable-tie that fastens the ribbon cable to the metal base plate. Because the fastener-holes in the back plate are used to secure and position the DDE-adapter in its exact position,  there is no fastening for the ribbon cable any more. I bundeled the ribbon cable with the new Orbiter-stepper cable and the PTFE-tube using cable-ties. The cabeling works since 11/2023 (with an up-tuned speed of 150mm/s for X and Y)

The DDE-adapter was printed upside-down with a 0,4mm nozzle and 0,2mm LH using Eryone PLA+ black. I set top- and bottom-walls to 1mm and the wall strength to 2mm to have enough material for the heat-inserts. The infill was set to 20% an get a sturdy part. The double-hooks on the left side of the model need some support.

The DDE-adapter is in use on my printer since 11/2023 and shows no signs of mechanical stress.

The DDE-adapter needs four M3 short heat-inserts, I used the short “M3s” from Ruthex. Two of the inserts are a bit tricky to melt in - I didn't find a better solution, but its possible to do.

Next you should test the diameter of the tube-hole by trying to put a piece of PTFE-tube through it. Maybe you have to file it a little bit bigger for a nice fit of the tube.

To install the DDE-adapter over the metal back plate it has to be hooked over the left wheel-axis and then tilted down in the horizontal position. Then it can be secured with two M3x12mm screws (with washers) from backside through the holes in the metal back plate.

The next step is to insert the PTFE-tube from above through the DDE-adapter into the hotend. When it is in the right position and secured in the hotend, it can be cut off 5mm above the upper faceplate of the DDE-adapter.

Now the Orbiter 2 extruder can be aligned over the tube-end and set down onto the DDE-adapter plate. There it will be secured by two M3x10mm screws with washers. Ensure the tube don‘t get pressed when the extruder is fastened from above because that would have negative influences on the strain gauge.

After installing the long PTFE-tube to the extruder and the stepper cabling, don't forget to setup the steps/mm-configuration in the printer-firmware according to the values the documentation shipped with the extruder says.

Together with the mentioned “Dual 5015”-cooler, a bimetal heatbreak, a copper heatblock and a Klipper-firmware (by Sonic Pad) I get stable 150mm/s printing speed on a 0,4mm nozzle and 0,2mm LH. The flow reaches (tested with the extrusion test developed by Stefan from CNC kichen, see Youtube) 21mm^3/s, I happily use up to 18mm^3/s flow. Skipping of the extruder was never observed under that conditions.

Printing of PLA, PETG and TPU is possible. The retraction needed for printing PLA was reduced from about 4 - 6mm down to 1 - 1.5mm.

Other models / parts recommended to get this DDE-adapter installed:

• alternative cooling: Anycubic Vyper Dual 5015 V2 Rev2
• lighting: LED Lighting for Anycubic Vyper Dual 5015 V2 Rev2
• filament sensor: Anycubic Vyper Filament-Sensor Holderfor Direct Drive configuration
• left X-cover: X-Cover for Anycubic Vyper