Design of a Throat-extended FDM Extruder for Multi-axis 3D Printing

Multi-axis fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing technology has been paid attention to by more and people. However, existing FDM extruders are usually short fat, which significantly restricts the popularization of multi-axis because one significant trend additive manufacturing is use long thin avoid collisions between workpieces in process. This paper presents design a throat-extended extruder print complex-shaped with details. The main contributions this include: (i) presenting novel structure including an extended-throat, smaller heater block, cooling mini-fan; (ii) designing optimized block using shapes its components milling tool as constraints make volume little small possible; (iii) Construct experimental simulation methods examine temperature distribution throat optimize heat dams nozzle throats wind speed heat-dissipation fan. Based on extruder, five-axis printer developed, various have printed without any support.