Stage 05: Print Head

Fasteners and fixing for this stage can be found in the print head accessory bags.

Fix to the docking bracket two docking pins.

Docking Pin - D5 M3x35mm

M3 x 10mm Cap Head bolt

Use the included bottle of thread locker to ensure these bolts do not come loose.

If you are building the REVO version of the print head fix the pins to the upper holes.

Repeat this across the docking bracket for the number of print heads you are installing.

Fix onto the docking bracket the docking magnet.

Button Magnet

M3 x 8mm Countersunk Bolt

Repeat this across the docking bracket for the number of print heads you are installing.

Fix onto the docking bracket the Silicone Dock.

Silicone Dock

M4 x 40mm Button Head Bolt

Repeat this across the docking bracket for the number of print heads you are installing.

Screw onto the docking bracket a PC4-M6 Coupling.

PC4 - M6 Coupling

Repeat this across the docking bracket for the number of print heads you are installing.

Below is a link to a video by the creator of the Orbiter v3 Extruder showing its assembly. Feel free to watch for additional information, our guide will summarise the steps below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwefYn-V...

If you are building more than one print head we recommend completing the steps below in parallel for all your print heads.

Upon opening the box you should find:

The Extruder Main Body

The Hotend

Nozzle

Screw driver

IO Cable

Plug the IO cable into the Extruder and bend it towards the motor.

Apply a thin layer of the included thermal paste to the shaft of the hotend heatbreak as shown.

For the REVO edition of the print head, no thermal paste is required.

Loosen this grub screw using the included screw driver.

Slide the hotend in.

Orientate its cables so that they point to the corner of the motor as shown.

Tighten down the same grub screw to secure the hotend in place.

For the REVO version there is no set screw, the heater block spring snaps onto the extruder body.

Apply some thermal paste to the thread of the nozzle.

Screw the nozzle into the heater block.

For the REVO edition of the extruder, you don't need any thermal paste and the nozzle can just be screwed directly into the extruder body.

Open the orbiter tool board box and take out the tool board and mounting spacers.

Check that these pins match the image and are not touching or otherwise damaged.

Mount the Tool Board to the back of the extruder.

Spacer - Mount these first

Tool Board

Washer

M3 x 6mm bolt

Assemble the Print Head Docking Bracket as shown.

Metal Docking Bracket

3D Printed Docking Bracket

M3 x 8mm Button Head Bolt

Thread these bolts directly into the 3D printed part

Fix the docking bracket onto the side of the Smart Orbiter V3

M3 x 5mm Button Head Bolt

The bracket has a slightly different shape for the REVO version of the extruder.

Orbiter REVO Bracket

less that 90 degrees

Standard Orbiter SO3 Bracket

~90 degrees

Add some grease to the grooves on the inside of the tool plate.

Use a lithium based grease for this. It should be easy to source locally.

Fix to the other side of the Smart Orbiter V3 Assembly the Tool Plate Brackets.

Tool Plate

Cable Guide Bracket (SO3/REVO)

M3 x 8mm Countersunk bolt

M3 x 6mm Cap Head Bolt

After mounting the tool board to the back of the extruder, connect the cables as shown.

Heater and Thermistor

Motor

Integrated Electronics

Ensure this is pushed in all the way as this connector can be a little stiff.

Fan

Use cable ties to secure the cables as shown.

Set the hotend at an angle as shown.

Integrated electronics cable and fan cable to spacer.

All cables to spacer.

Make sure your cables match the image.

Attach the USB cable.

Use cable ties to fix to the nylon cable guide to the print head.

Dock the print heads onto their pins.

Push the PTFE tubing into the extruder.

Use a cable tie to fix the PTFE tube and USB cable to the cable guide.

Make sure to include some slack on the USB cable.

With the USB cable following the guide, secure them both to the dock bracket as shown.

Cable tie the PTFE tube to the top of the cable support guide.

Cut any excess tubing.

Insert the PTFE tube into the coupling.

If you are planning to install the enclosure we recommend installing the left side panel at this stage before secure the print head cables into the base.

The longer tab goes to the front.

M4 x 8mm Button Head

M4 T-Nut

Secure the print head cables to the base with cable ties.

Ready to move onto the next stage? Click here.