What machines are used to manufacture extruder screws for 3D printers?

[Tung Jian Seng]

Currently I am working on an assignment about making an extruder screw for screw based 3D printer. I am confused that actually what kind of machines those manufactures out there using to manufacture this kind of extruder screws ?

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to PhysicsForums.

A Google Images search on extruder screw design gives lots of good hits. Here is one:

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

Welcome to PhysicsForums.

A Google Images search on extruder screw design gives lots of good hits. Here is one:



View attachment 278388

Thanks a lot ! But I have a doubt... wondering how actually this kind of screw is made by those manufacturers and what kind of machines they using.

 

[berkeman]

How are regular steel screws made? I suppose since the threads on the extruders are farther apart with flat surfaces between them (the shaft body), you would use a milling tool that moves along removing material down the length of the shaft. Have you tried using Google or Google Images with good search terms to find examples of various screw manufacturing processes? Google-fu is an important skill to develop...

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

How are regular steel screws made? I suppose since the threads on the extruders are farther apart with flat surfaces between them (the shaft body), you would use a milling tool that moves along removing material down the length of the shaft. Have you tried using Google or Google Images with good search terms to find examples of various screw manufacturing processes? Google-fu is an important skill to develop...

Yesss I have searched on the Google. But I can only find those big plastic extruder screw manufacturing process. So I am curious about how are small sizes extruder screws for 3D printer are made by those manufacturers :)

 

[Lnewqban]

Currently I am working on an assignment about making an extruder screw for screw based 3D printer. I am confused that actually what kind of machines those manufactures out there using to manufacture this kind of extruder screws ?

Welcome, Tung!
Do you have to make the screws or also to design them?
Can’t you find spare parts if for existing printer?

 

[anorlunda]

So I am curious about how are small sizes extruder screws for 3D printer are made

Can't you just machine them?

 

[Baluncore]

An extruder screw usually has three separate sections, each with a different OD, ID, pitch and profile. That makes it difficult for the average workshop.
I would use an axial NC grinder.
A modified 4-axis engraver could do the job if the head was replaced with a 90° degree head and a cutting disk.
What are the dimensions and details of the screw you require?

 

[jrmichler]

Search 3, 4, and 5 axis cnc machines. Here is a good hit using search terms 4 axis cnc machine: https://inversesolutionsinc.com/345-axis-machining-what-is-the-difference/.

There are few shapes that cannot be machined using modern machine tools. One such shape is a curved hole, which can be made using 3D printing.

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

Welcome, Tung!
Do you have to make the screws or also to design them?
Can’t you find spare parts if for existing printer?

Hi, Lnewqban !
I need to design a modular machine tool that can be added on a lathe machine and make extruder screws for 3D printer.

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

An extruder screw usually has three separate sections, each with a different OD, ID, pitch and profile. That makes it difficult for the average workshop.
I would use an axial NC grinder.
A modified 4-axis engraver could do the job if the head was replaced with a 90° degree head and a cutting disk.
What are the dimensions and details of the screw you require?

I need to design a machine tool that can be added on a lathe where it can be used on making extruder screws for 3D printer. I am planning to use an angle grinder. But before that I need to survey how those manufacturers actually making this screw. The survey is for benchmarking purpose.

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

Can't you just machine them?

It is a project I need to design a machine tool that can be added on a lathe where it can be used on making extruder screw for 3D printer. But before that I need to do benchmarking. So I want to know what kind of machines that manufacturers out there actually using on making this kind of extruder screws.

 

[Baluncore]

I am planning to use an angle grinder.

Your screw is simple with only one ground flute. A tool post grinder will do that job. You might use an angle grinder as a crude tool post grinder.

You will need to modify the lathe. The lead screw on a lathe is probably finer than the screw you are grinding. Because the pitch of the extruder screw is longer, you will need to drive the lathe lead-screw very slowly with a motor and reduction gearbox. The chuck holding the extruder screw is then driven from the lead screw through a reduction ratio that sets the pitch of the thread you are grinding.

 

[Lnewqban]

Hi, Lnewqban !
I need to design a modular machine tool that can be added on a lathe machine and make extruder screws for 3D printer.

Is the diameter of your screw 8 mm?
How many do you have to manufacture?

Please, read this first for hardness details:
https://www.plasticstoday.com/extru...gn-essentials-you-learned-long-time-ago-maybe

Then, watch different machining methods:

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

Is the diameter of your screw 8 mm?
How many do you have to manufacture?

Please, read this first for hardness details:
https://www.plasticstoday.com/extru...gn-essentials-you-learned-long-time-ago-maybe

Then, watch different machining methods:

Yes , the diameter of screw is 8mm. Thanks for the videos !

 

[berkeman]

It is a project I need to design a machine tool that can be added on a lathe where it can be used on making extruder screw for 3D printer. But before that I need to do benchmarking. So I want to know what kind of machines that manufacturers out there actually using on making this kind of extruder screws.

BTW, is this project for schoolwork?

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

BTW, is this project for schoolwork?

Yupp it is a schoolwork.

 

[berkeman]

Okay, thanks. I'll move the thread to the schoolwork forums for you now.

 

[Tung Jian Seng]

Okay, thanks. I'll move the thread to the schoolwork forums for you now.

Thank you very much !