Those die-hard fans of delta 3D printers praise the speed and accuracy of their machines, due to the reduced weight and complexity of the moving parts. But managing to print with multiple filaments can prove difficult, given the small space necessitated by the build area. Plus, any additional weight added to the extruder slows down the printhead, defeating part of the purpose for owning a delta in the first place. Fortunately, Mathias Dragosits has been working on a solution, inventing the Wim3rl printhead: a watercooled printhead with three hotends for multiple filaments.
By using watercooling, as opposed to aircooling, Mathias tells us that the Wirm3rl is able to maintain a light weight, while still opening up the ability to use up to three filament. In a recent Kickstarter campaign, he says that the head weighs only 63 grams when filled with water, without the heaters and connectors. The heater block is also redesigned so that its weight can be kept to a minimum, while ensuring users to choose from their desired nozzle sizes. The Wirm3rl extruder has been designed to fit any delta 3D printer, through the use of spacers customized to a given design. M3 holes drilled at the proper locations ensure that attaching the printhead is as simple as screwing and unscrewing.
While the Kickstarter was unsuccessful, the Wirm3rl team already has a functioning prototype and is looking for investors to fund the first batch of parts. The hot end can achieve at least 300°C/572°F with a water pump flow rate of 15 liters per minute, with the Wirm3rl team having printed with these settings for five hours continuously. And, so far, after heating the hotends to more than 450°C, there were no electronics failures. If the team can receive just €2,500, they believe they can develop the infrastructure necessary to produce the hotends for an affordable price.
To help support Mathias and his team, you can find Wirm3rl on Facebook, where you’ll find his contact information. After all, adding three nozzles to delta 3D printers could make them as versatile as they are speedy.
