Annex K3
| Annex K3 | |
|---|---|
| Status | Partially Operational |
| Manufacturer | Annex Engineering |
| Model | Annex K3 |
| Access | http://annex.core.devhack.net |
| Category | 3D Printers |
A fast, enclosed 3D printer for high temperature materials. This includes ASA, ABS, Nylon, and possibly more; ASA is the default loaded filament and seemingly the most tested filament type.
Current status
Partially operational. The printer has not been calibrated to a high degree and has a variety of print quality issues, including Z offset calibration, speed fine tuning, and more. Help would be highly appreciated!
The recommended material is Polymaker ASA.
How to print
This printer has an internal recirculator carbon filter. Never run the printer without it. Always ensure the room has outdoor ventilation as well. See the air filter details in Specifications.
Power up the printer with the switch on the back, and give it a brief period to boot up.
Before printing
Read the 3D Printing Commandments
Make sure the print bed is clean and there is a magnetic sheet on it. You can use isopropyl alcohol with paper towel/alcohol prep wipes to accomplish cleaning it. Do not let the mag sheet stick over the left edge and catch the purge bucket.
Using the Klipper webui on the Home page, press the "Home all" button after turning it on. If the bed has been messed with, also press "square bed to machine" for 3-point leveling; this is not needed for routine printing.
Turn on the filter fan ("Rebreather" to 100%) for better airflow in the chamber and more even heating. This is mandatory to properly filter the air. The printing process may create toxic fumes, which the filter will capture.
Preheat and level the bed: hit PRE_PRINT_PREP under Macros on the Home page; once the bed reaches print temperatures it'll be 3-point leveled and then mesh leveled with the contactless Beacon probe. Once the printer stops moving, you're ready to print.
Slicing
Currently the only slicer we have configs for is SuperSlicer; the config bundle is here: [1]
The recommended profiles are "K3 volumetric ASA" in Print Settings, the "K3 ASA" filament profile and "K3 mine" printer configuration. Do not be afraid to experiment with your own. These presets are NOT necessarily good. There are some spare parts in the box. If something's broken, the original maintainer of this printer is no longer active; feel free to make DIY repairs or begin maintaining the printer actively.
Slice your model, export and upload to the Klipper UI by using the plus (+) button in the Jobs menu of the Home page.
After printing
Let it sit for 30 minutes or so with the door closed and rebreather going to absorb fumes in the chamber and avoid a whiff of plastic nastiness when you open the door. Open the door and let the heatbed cool off, ideally the print should just pop off the bed on its own. If you are in a hurry, carefully remove the mag sheet from the bed (it's very hot!) and let it sit outside to cool faster. Do not try to pry the part off of a hot sheet, it'll stick and make a mess. Please clean up the printer after you're done.
Specifications
| Component | Model | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Printer | Annex K3 1.0 | |
| Extruder | Sherpa Micro, Bondtech parts | All printed bits are in ASA+CF, most screws are on Loctite (please put loctite back on if you're replacing them, it can and did vibrate apart without) |
| Controller | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B w/Klipper, BTT Octopus Pro, | |
| Motor Control | 48V Trinamic stepper drivers | |
| Hotend | Slice Mosquito Magnum, 50W heater | Tested to 300°C, maximum of 500°C. |
| Nozzle | Bondtech CHT 0.4mm | No abrasive materials with this nozzle! |
| Bed Probe | Beacon RevH, contactless/inductive w/ accelerometer | |
| Bed | 170x170mm MIC-6 aluminum
plate, magnetic steel Prusa Mini sheet |
150°C safety cutoff. Use caution above 100°C, and do not leave the printer unattended. |
| Bed Heater | Fabreeko 300W AC heater | |
| Filament Runout Sensor | Unknown | Allegedly installed, unknown status/model. Volunteers welcomed for documenting/configuring this. |
| Air Filter | Annex Rebreather with carbon grains | Only use acid-free carbon, or it will rust! On the black shelving unit in the focus foundry, there may be a translucent plastic container labeled "Annex Supply"; in that box, there may be a bag of carbon. Since it's only a carbon filter, it will filter out smelly and volatile compounds, but not plastic microparticles. The enclosure contains these to an extent, but it is not air tight, and the door must be opened to retrieve your prints. Like with PLA printers, always ensure the room is ventilated when printing. |
Projects and upgrades
Filament sensor software support
There's a filament runout/jam sensor installed but it is not currently set up in Klipper. Hooking it up correctly should be an easy project.
Metal motor brackets
There is a set of waterjet-cut steel XY motor mounts in the parts box. These mounts are the main load bearing parts in the printer, and replacing printed pieces with steel should enable even higher speeds or better quality at the same speed. Unfortunately, replacing the corners involves pretty major disassembly of the printer so they have not been installed.
Debugging access
You can reach the printer over SSH. The username is "pi" and the password is "/dev/hack".