INDX Filament tube automatic trapdoor

Introduction

First: This has not been tested at large scale yet. I would be curious to hear from anyone who tries it for a print with a large (1000+) number of toolhead changes.

In my in-machine testing, it takes about 300 tool changes for the trapdoor to open. The resulting deposit is visible in one of the photos on this model.

Goal here is to minimize the amount of time the purge hole is open to the outside to let air in. Instead of letting the purge pellets drop straight into the extended bin, it collects them until enough weight has accumulated to open the trapdoor. It then dumps the contents and closes up again for next time. If you care about keeping your chamber temperature up, then this should help

(Temporarily removed while I redesign) Also included is a strap to keep the extended bucket in place if you're not using the spool holders. Flip it in the X direction in the slicer to get the other side. I sized this against the official CAD files but I found it printed slightly undersized. I was still able to get the plastic rivets in, but if you can't, you might need to print at 101% or larger. Use multimaterial painting to change the colours to your likiing.

Supports not needed for either file. You need a tube and a trapdoor. If you drilled a 32mm hole in your side panel, use that one. If you bought (or received) the official side panel with the hole, use that one.

Let me know if you have questions or suggestions/recommendations for changes.

BOM

• 2 of 3mm ID, 8mm OD, 3mm thick bearings: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082PSC479

• 1 of m3x18 screw for the axle. (head unimportant)

• 1 of m3x16 (or longer, length unimportant. Used as counterweight)

• 5-6 of m3 hex nuts (counterbalance)

• 1 of m3x8 screw MUST BE MAGNETIC. Stainless screws are not magnetic.

• 5 of 8x3 round magnets: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZ6GX6W2

• 1 of 6x2 round magnets: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJ9H31P

Assembly and tuning

See the following video for assembly and tuning instructions: