The multitool holder is the fixation for other tools. It has to be fixed on the 3D printer head. Once fixed, it is possible to exchange multiple tools on it easily by simply sliding the tools on the multitool holder.
The Pen tool for example can slide freely in the tool holder, so that , even if the printer is ging a bit low on Z axis, the pen will nicely slide in the slider . The wieight of the pen and tool is sufficient to write on the PCB.
There is a sliding adjustment screw to allow a precise slide of the tool within the tool holder. These 2 screw allows to adjust the sliding so that it slides easily, but precisely.
Some specific Tools like PCBdrill tool must not slide , and must be fixed to the tool holder and to the printer head .The tool fix allows to achieve this.
Using specific gcode files, it is possible to move the tools to achieve some goals. In this tutorial, the provided software will generate the necessary gcode files to use the pen tool to draw etch resist tracks on a piece of copper, and the necessary gcode files to drill holes using the drill tool.
I have in mind multiple other tools for which the software is not yet ready ( but will come , as I have already validated the proof of concept) ( Solder paste extruder, pick and place head, microscope inspection camera...
In order to ease the design and build of the tools that are compatible with the Multitool holder, the tools are using a common platform on which other elements can be screwed up:
You can use the parametric cylindric holder , to hold anything cylindric of any size : pen, motor , cylindric microscope… just modify the scad file with the radius of the object you want to hold…
In order to screw the different components of the tools on the common tool platform, I use 3*15mm wood screws.
Fixing the Multitool Holder on the printer head.
1) Identify where the multitool Holder needs to be positioned
Before you decide how to fix the tool Holder, you need to understand the X and Y axis directions of your printer :
When you manually increase X on your printer, is your head going to the right or to the left ?
When you manually increase Y on your printer, do the bed is moving to the back or o the front ?
When you understand what are the directions for X and Y axis, then you can identify in which quarter the tool holder needs to be installed :
The Multi tool Holder must be in a position where it has a lower X position than the Filament Extruder X Position
The Multi tool Holder must be in a position where it has a lower Y position than the Filament Extruder Y Position
The multi tool holder must not impact 3D printing, so, it must be put so that when there is no tool within the tool holder, the printer head can print normally.
2) Verify that the multitool can be fixed without impacting the Auto Home Feature.
Another point to verify is that the AutoHome feature can work with the Multitool Installed and with a tool installed on the multitool :
When a tool is mounted on the tool holder, the head of the tool will hae a lower Z than the printer tool. Thereofore, it is criical that , in autohome position, the tool holder is in a position outside of the bed.
go to autohome position on your printer, and check where you could put fix the tool holder :
In order to fix the multitool in that position, you can use the following tips :
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If you are using an emotion Tech prusa rework 1.5 printer, then you can use the same support that i made for mine.
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If your printer is using a Nema17 motor to manage the extruder, then you may be able to use the generic Nema17 fixation . to fix the multitool Holdler on your Nema 17 motor
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If you have a different printer, you will need to find a solution and design a holdler that will allow you to fix the multitool holdler.
In all cases, be sure to verify that the auto home feature is not impacted and that the 3D printing feature is not impacted.
How to use the Multitool Holder
The multitool holder can be used in 2 different mode :
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Sliding mode : the tool will slide freely within the Multitool Holder, in the case of the pen holder, for example, the weight of the tool and the pen is used to apply some pressure on the copper support. There is no need to ad any additional string.
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Fixed mode : when the tool needs to apply a high pressure on the support, then it is needed to fix the tool to the multitool holder. In the case of the drill tool for example, the drill tool needs to be fixed to the multitool holder, so that the pressure is enough to start drilling the copper clad.
The sliding adjustments are used to reduce the X and Y move of the tool within the multitool Holder, while allowing the tool to slide on the Z axis.
The tool fix is used to completely fix a tool on the multitool holder. In that case, the tool cannot move on the Z axis.
