Make-It-Fit Creality K1 LGX Extruder Housing for Bondtech LGX Lite Internals.

Update: Also see my new Libra & Trigger Extruders that use Orbiter internals.

There is now a threaded insert mount version in addition to this one, see link: https://www.printables.com/model/900276-make-it-fit-creality-k1-lgx-extruder-housing-for-b

Download the Installation guide and read carefully before taking on this modification. Go to the files tab page and scroll down until you find the PDF file for the installation guide.

Description:

Replacement extruder housing to allow fitment of the Bondtech LGX Lite extruder on a Creality K1 3D printer. A complete Bondtech LGX Lite or LGX Lite V2 is required to make this extruder installation for the Creality K1.

The Bondtech LGX Lite is a proven reliable extruder and is an upgrade over the stock problematic Creality K1 extruder. With a lower gear ratio, larger drive gears providing a larger grip area and increased grip, the LGX can push filament with a greater force. With a rigid (not spring loaded) tensioning device that acts on both sides of the drive gears it is impossible to force the gears apart, so it will never slip either. There is a 9mm metallic free gap between the stepper motor and the extruder drive gears, insulating the gears and filament from stepper motor heat, reducing heat creep.

This new housing (ABS or ASA) is in two parts, similar to the Lite V2 housing, and has three screw fastener mounting points to match those of the K1 toolhead carriage. To avoid the mounting screw holes clashing with the LGX tensioner inside the holes are directly tapped into the plastic body as there was no room for brass threaded inserts. 

There are two front body options, Type A for Plastic Tube connection to the hotend, and Type B for unicorn nozzles, with the difference being the diameter of the filament outlet hole. 

The K1 toolhead carriage in its stock form has four ribs that are in the way of the LGX extruder gears that prevent this extruder from fitting. It is therefore necessary to grind away 1mm depth of material from parts of these ribs in order to make space for the LGX extruder to fit. As the body of the toolhead carriage is over engineered for strength in this area, removing a small amount of material from these ribs has very little to no effect to the strength of the carriage. So trimming can be carried out with confidence it will not effect reliability. A 3D printed trimming guide is used to prevent removal of too much material. 

It is necessary to re-wire the Bondtech stepper motor with a smaller 1.25mm pitch plug and different terminal positions for the coloured wires in order to plug it into the K1 toolhead controller board. Instructions and parts link are provided in the installation guide.

This installation requires the K1 to be “rooted” so the “printer.cfg” settings can be changed for the LGX extruder.

Caution.

This extruder requires you to remove material from your K1 toolhead in order to fit it. Only attempt this modification if you have the correct tools, craft & electrical skills, as once you have removed material and if you accidentally remove to much, you can't put it back on.

Fitting this extruder will invalidate any warranty you have on the K1 printer or Bondtech LGX Lite extruder.

Carry out this modification and installation at your own risk.

This extruder housing design & installation has not been tested to manufactures standards, however at the time of writing the following testing has been completed without any issues or noticeable wear:

72 hours of total print time.

1 print over 8 hours

5 prints over 3 hours

18 prints over 1 hour

Remaining prints less than 1 hour.

All the above prints have been printed in either ABS or ASA filament with the chamber temperature set at 50oc.

Several test prints with PLA, & TPU.

Download the Installation guide and read carefully before taking on this modification. Go to the files tab page and scroll down until you find the PDF file for the installation guide.