2.4 Tool Changer build

[BMC76]

I'm interested in building a 2.4 tool changer setup. I have a P1s, this is the only printer I've owned and I've had it around a year. I frequently use PLA to support PETG and it's spectacular other than having to purge so much material to keep them from mixing. I occasionally use a 2nd color for accent or lettering, I design and print primarily functional parts for my other hobbies or things around the house. There is an overwhelming amount of options on Vorons that I've been researching, not sure I completely have my head wrapped around everything yet but I'm learning. I plan on building the 2.4 with a single print head at first so I can learn how to maintain and tune it before adding a 2nd print head. Since i have a working printer I'm not too concerned if I run into issues which I'm sure I will, it'll be fine sitting on the bench while i work through them.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to go with a kit like LDO or Formbot if I'm going to move to the tool change setup as soon as I feel confident with the printer. I don't want to have to completely swap major electronics and rewire the whole thing once I decide to move to tool change. Would it be better to buy incomplete kits with just hardware and source electronics separately to make sure they are suitable for multi heads?

I want 3 heads for sure, not sure I need 5 but I would want to make sure I have enough ports and enough power without having to swap boards or psu if I decide to add 2 more. I may eventually answer my own question as I keep researching but my head is starting to spin with all the reading I've been doing. I'd really like to start building the basic kit as I think that alone while help it all to start sinking in. I'm trying to keep my finger off the buy it now trigger but I'm eager to start building. Thanks

 

[OmarGherd]

Getting a kit would still be the better way to go & build stock. It will be the most cost efficient & a good platform to troubleshoot whilst stock (should you need to). Once working you can gain some familiarity with the machine whilst acquiring parts to go tool changer & mod as needed.

 

[BMC76]

After digging in some more I think I completely agree, though I fall in every rabbit hole I run across so I'm still thinking about both ways.

I've just spent the last few days going down the BOM and sourcing guide putting everything in a spreadsheet. This along with watching some build videos, studying cad models has given me a much better understanding of how the machine works and the vital components. Toolhead electronics I'm still trying to wrap my head around but I'm getting there.

Sourcing mostly from Kb3d with some components from other vendors. I come up with about $1850US to get the parts for a functioning single head printer following BOM. I have not done much shopping around yet, just kind of getting a baseline. Kb3d has a lot of convenient BOM bundles like fastener kit, cables/connectors kit, frame, panels. Some things like the motors I just followed the links from the sourcing guide for cost reasons.
For comparison an LDO kit is $1400 US so $450 cheaper and comes with some higher end motors among other things.
I'll probably go that route but I'm still going to continue with my spreadsheet to get a full personalized BOM for everything I would need for a tool changer, and removing anything i wouldn't from the list. I think I'm sure I'll find that the kit will be cheaper even having unused parts but we'll see. Alot of things to consider like the tool boards, umbilical, frame dimensions possibly being custom to accommodate umbilical, ect.
I'm actually having a pretty damn good time researching and putting all this together, though I'm not sure I can keep my finger off the buy it now button while i finish this list.

 

[OmarGherd]

Good luck with the build when you get to it. The parts in a kit are known to fit well & for want of a better term if there is an issue it's one throat to choke if there are any issues, especially with LDO tracking their batches & LDO serials. The quality is great & should there be an issue, speaking from experience they're great at getting it resolved without any headache or stress. I've 3 machines based on LDO kits & partial kits (Micron). The other thing is the config they provide only needs machine size parameters editing where a self-sourced will need a fair bit. It's not hard but it can be a lot of work if you're new to it. Either way you go, just take your time with it & double check each stage of the build, be prepared to adjust & readjust. The first QGL is magic! I'm watching the tool changer space at the moment as I'm interest but none of the projects are quite there for me yet. I'm still undecided as to whether I'll go USB or CAN for the multiple tool heads, leaning towards the latter at the min as I don't like the idea of a hub but still not researched it enough to make an informed decision. I like the idea of miss-changer as it can be quickly swapped from tool changer to single toolhead to recover print volume but it still feels quite alpha at the moment & for a change I don't fancy testing on my main workhorse.

 

[BMC76]

Well I've been 2nd guessing myself but I ended up ordering the formbot kit . Hope i don't regret it but it was $900 vs $1400 for LDO or $1850 self source. Arrives tomorrow and i have quite a few notes of things to look out for from watching review and build videos. I have the first few batches of parts printed out already.

 

[Klaudi8]

I'm interested in building a 2.4 tool changer setup. I have a P1s, this is the only printer I've owned and I've had it around a year. I frequently use PLA to support PETG and it's spectacular other than having to purge so much material to keep them from mixing. I occasionally use a 2nd color for accent or lettering, I design and print primarily functional parts for my other hobbies or things around the house. There is an overwhelming amount of options on Vorons that I've been researching, not sure I completely have my head wrapped around everything yet but I'm learning. I plan on building the 2.4 with a single print head at first so I can learn how to maintain and tune it before adding a 2nd print head. Since i have a working printer I'm not too concerned if I run into issues which I'm sure I will, it'll be fine sitting on the bench while i work through them.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to go with a kit like LDO or Formbot if I'm going to move to the tool change setup as soon as I feel confident with the printer. I don't want to have to completely swap major electronics and rewire the whole thing once I decide to move to tool change. Would it be better to buy incomplete kits with just hardware and source electronics separately to make sure they are suitable for multi heads?

I want 3 heads for sure, not sure I need 5 but I would want to make sure I have enough ports and enough power without having to swap boards or psu if I decide to add 2 more. I may eventually answer my own question as I keep researching but my head is starting to spin with all the reading I've been doing. I'd really like to start building the basic kit as I think that alone while help it all to start sinking in. I'm trying to keep my finger off the buy it now trigger but I'm eager to start building. Thanks

Kits like LDO or Formbot are cool, but just make sure the electronics can handle multiple heads without needing a full swap later. Maybe grab a basic kit and then source your own electronics that can handle future upgrades. That way, you don’t have to redo everything.