Quick-Lock Tensioner
The new Quick-Lock Tensioner is something that hasn’t been done before that requires nothing more than mechanical forces against the filament without needing springs, screws or clips. It holds the filament securely. Changing filament is quick and as easy as flicking a switch with full filament path access.
Hi-spec flexible shafts
heavy duty
The driveshafts are key to silky smooth extrusion when used together with our hi-spec gear set. Multi-layer bi-directional hi-chromium spring steel windings around a central core ensure absolute transfer of load between motor and extruder.
40:1 Gearing
Smooth precise gearing
The powerhouse of the Flex3Drive, the gears are made from in-house tooling using a polymer from Dupont’s hi-performance range of polymers, and have a true involute tooth profile. This means smooth constant transfer of drive which is essential for smooth 3D printing.
Nema8
More options
Using a Nema8 motor the whole G5 extruder assembly is less than 1/4 the moving mass of just the original motor on the Prusa MK2.5/Mk3 printers. Installation is fast and setup is easy.
Fully Printable
You can print all of the released designs in a method of your choosing, be that SLS SLA or FFF/FDM. Prints use minimal material and have very short print times. You can also purchase pre-printed parts with a hardware kit.
Filament Sensing
The Flex3Drive G5 allows for a range of filament senor options that can be integrated into the top of the assembly by simply printing a suitable cap for the extruder. These will be released shortly.
The Flex3Drive project, with its roots going as far back as 2012, has hit its main objective: To develop a low-cost open-source hi-performance micro-extruder platform that removes the showstopper barriers to practical multi-filament solutions. The commitment was to go full open source upon completion of the design that would facilitate the objective.
The new Flex3Drive G5 extruder platform is the result. It follows G3/G4 iterations along a design path that considered all possible features a 3d printer extruder could or should have with regard to performance and overall function.
Key to the main objective was a tension arm that was self-locking with no fiddling for clips springs screws or anything to maintain tension on the filament, except the filament.
Using a clever little geometrical layout the Quick-Lock Tensioner locks itself in place against the filament. Open or close the tensioner like the flick of a switch. Closing the tensioner delivers a positive engagement as it locks over against the filament. Full filament access when open.
From a quick and easy single filament setup, through to a more adventurous multi filament solution, using our heavy duty flex shafts. and/or the smallest of the nema8 motors, coupled a modifiable tension arm and caps that can support integrated filament sensors, everything is possible with the G5.