XChange: Toolchanging comes to affordable 3D printers

Printermods has created the XChange, an affordable toolchanger design suited to any 3D printer, but easily installed on budget printers like the Ender 3. E3D previously brought the toolchanger concept to enthusiasts, but the price was immense and a lot of troubleshooting was required.

I’m really excited by this product and I can’t wait to see what the community thinks of it. The idea is simple but R&D has ensured a quality result. How would you use the XChange to expand your capabilities?

You may have noticed a lack of printing footage in this video. Rest assured, the system has been in place for almost a month, but having signed a non disclosure agreement, I have avoided filming this printer. The system works and works well. Now that this video is done, I will be disassembling the generic tool heads and building some specialised options.

This prototype was provided free of charge by printermods.com for the purpose of providing feedback and for making this video. All opinions expressed are my own. As always, there is a risk in backing a Kickstarter project. Do you research first and make an informed decision.

XChange on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printermods/xchange-v10-hot-swap-tool-changing-for-every-3d-printer?ref=4knk82

0:00 Introduction
E3D toolchanger store page: https://e3d-online.com/products/toolchanger-motion-system-bundle-tools
Chris Riley’s E3D Toolchanger summary video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W5pPm0lZDE

1:16 Introducing XChange
Printermods LEDs guide: https://youtu.be/LEq_HFO2LYs
Printermods MDD kit guide: https://youtu.be/VK_FUvxwGxM

2:02 What is it? How does it work?
Samtek: https://www.samtec.com/

2:26 Where to buy? How much? What printers?
Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printermods/xchange-v10-hot-swap-tool-changing-for-every-3d-printer/
Linear rails guide: https://youtu.be/I3xMHjiYENk

4:16 Installation
Adjusting the Y axis to realign the nozzle: https://youtu.be/VpciFs30xCA

6:40 Firmware options
M305 Marlin reference: https://marlinfw.org/docs/gcode/M305.html

7:42 Specialised printing on a single machine
Non-planar 3D printing: https://youtu.be/gmePlcU0TRw

8:37 Expansion beyond 3D printing
Universal paste extruder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:20733

9:23 Improved efficiency and reliability

9:52 Customisable with wide hardware support

11:06 Sharing components between machines

11:50 Automatic toolchanging on the horizon

12:12 Kickstarter warning
https://www.kickstarter.com/trust

12:45 How could you use XChange?

13:09 Conclusion

Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au

Get Quality Resins from 3D Printers Online. 5% off storewide for Teaching Tech subscribers [Code: tech5]
https://3dprintersonline.com.au/

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