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Titan Aero Gold

Written By: Dan Rock
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Introduction

The Titan Aero Gold is a very similar build to a standard Titan Aero (which shouldn't come as much of a surprise). However, the components are slightly different.

Please note, though, that you should be very careful of the following safety cautions:

  • Be aware of your electronics. Don't work on your printer while it is plugged in or turned on.
  • Be aware when you heat up your new hotend not to burn yourself on the heater block nozzle or heater cartridge.
  • The standard Titan Aero Gold is capable of printing up to 285°C, do not exceed these temperatures unless you have replaced the thermistor cartridge with a PT100, or Thermocouple.
  • The firmware modification is not optional it is a mandatory step,
  • Make sure you have ordered and received the correct voltage heater cartridge and fan to match the power supply of your printer. All of our current heater cartridges should have the voltage and wattage laser engraved on the cartridge.
  • Connecting 12v parts to a 24v power supply can result in overheating, component damage, or fire. If you are unsure double check the rating on your power supply.
  • Your HotEnd and your printer are your responsibility. We cannot be held responsible for damages caused by the use, misuse or abuse of our products.

Tools

Parts

  1. Hardened Steel Nozzle

    • Hardened Steel Nozzle

    • Plated copper Heater block.

    • Heat break

    Edit

  2. Before starting work on your heater block, make sure that you'll going to screw your nozzle into the correct side.

    • Before starting work on your heater block, make sure that you'll going to screw your nozzle into the correct side.

    • You should be looking at the side of the heater block with three holes in it

    Edit

  3. Screw in the nozzle all the way into the heater block. Don't worry about tightness yet. Then, unscrew the nozzle by a 1/4 of a turn. This will leave a little space to tighten after screwing in the heat break. Then, unscrew the nozzle by a 1/4 of a turn. This will leave a little space to tighten after screwing in the heat break.

    • Screw in the nozzle all the way into the heater block. Don't worry about tightness yet.

    • Then, unscrew the nozzle by a 1/4 of a turn. This will leave a little space to tighten after screwing in the heat break.

    Edit

  4. Screw in the heat break until it touches the nozzle. Tighten the nozzle against the heat break. No need to over tighten, we'll be hot-tightening later.

    • Screw in the heat break until it touches the nozzle.

    • Tighten the nozzle against the heat break. No need to over tighten, we'll be hot-tightening later.

    Edit

  5. Double check that your nozzle is still almost flush with your heater block. If there is significant space between the nozzle top and the heater block you should re-adjust your nozzle and heat break to eliminate that space.

    • Double check that your nozzle is still almost flush with your heater block.

    • If there is significant space between the nozzle top and the heater block you should re-adjust your nozzle and heat break to eliminate that space.

    Edit

  6. Gather the parts you'll need to install the thermistor:

    • Gather the parts you'll need to install the thermistor:

    • Thermistor Cartridge

    • The Smaller, 1.5mm Hex Wrench

    • M3 Grub Screw

    • Heater Block Assembly

    Edit

  7. Screw in grub screw until it just touches the thermistor.

    • Screw in grub screw until it just touches the thermistor.

    • Tighten M3 grub screw by an 1/8 of a turn.

    • Do not over tighten the screw. The thermistor cartridge is soft, and you might deform it if you over-tighten the screw.

    Edit

  8. Before you install your heater cartridge, you should double check that you both purchased and received the correct voltage cartridge. This process is less annoying than putting out a house fire.

    • Before you install your heater cartridge, you should double check that you both purchased and received the correct voltage cartridge. This process is less annoying than putting out a house fire.

    • Your heater cartridge will be either 30w or 40w, with blue and red wires receptively.

    • If you have a 12v heater cartridge, your resistance reading will be (about) 3.5 or 4.8 Ω for 40w and 30w respectively.

    • If you have a 24v heater cartridge, your resistance reading will be (about) 14.4 or 19.2 Ω for 40w and 30w respectively.

    Edit

  9. Gather heater block, heater cartridge, 2mm hex key and M3x10 screw with washer:

    • Gather heater block, heater cartridge, 2mm hex key and M3x10 screw with washer:

    • Heater Block

    • Heater cartridge

    • 2.5mm, Hex Wrench

    • One of the longer M3x10.

    Edit

  10. Slide in the heater cartridge. Typically you'd want the wires to come out the same side as your thermistor wires.

    • Slide in the heater cartridge. Typically you'd want the wires to come out the same side as your thermistor wires.

    Edit

  11. Tighten the M3 x 10 socket dome screw with 2.5 mm hey key until the clamp deforms slightly (as shown in the second picture). Gently tug the heater and thermistor wires to check they won't slide out

    • Tighten the M3 x 10 socket dome screw with 2.5 mm hey key until the clamp deforms slightly (as shown in the second picture).

    • Gently tug the heater and thermistor wires to check they won't slide out

    Edit

    • Before beginning your build, make sure that you have an appropriate mount for your extruder. If you have a commonly upgraded printer (Ultimaker 2, Taz 5/6, Prusa i3, etc) you'll likely be able to find 3D models of well designed Titan mounts on your favourite 3D model sharing site.

    • When installing the Titan, you must have something to separate the motor from the extruder body by 2 mm. Typically, a piece of your mounting bracket will attach here and provide this space (for reference take a look at our Prusa Mounting Bracket). Having a separation of more than 2mm will mean you need longer screws to hold the assembly together.

    • Please note that there may be extra bolts in the titan fixing kit bag that will be unused.

    Edit

  13. The motor you'll be using + mounting bracket Extruder Body + Large Gear

    • The motor you'll be using + mounting bracket

    • Extruder Body + Large Gear

    • M3x8mm Screw

    • M3 Grub Screw

    • Pinion Gear

    • The Smallest, 1.5mm Hex Wrench, and Mid-sized, 2.5mm Hex Wrench

    Edit

  14. Thread the M3 grub screw into the pinion gear slightly so you don't lose it Slip the pinion gear onto the motor shaft with the grub screw facing down, towards the motor.

    • Thread the M3 grub screw into the pinion gear slightly so you don't lose it

    • Slip the pinion gear onto the motor shaft with the grub screw facing down, towards the motor.

    • Slide it about 3/4 of the way down the shaft and tighten the screw.

    • The compact but powerful motor has a fully round shaft. - some of the older kits used the slimline motor which has a flat on the shaft.

    • As of March 2019 the compact but powerful now has a flat ground on the shaft.

    Edit

  16. Take your M3 screw that you picked out before and slip it through the hole extruder body in the groove mount (lower leftmost screw hole).

    • Take your M3 screw that you picked out before and slip it through the hole extruder body in the groove mount (lower leftmost screw hole).

    • Slip the screw through your mounting bracket (including spacer if you're using one) and screw it into your motor.

    Edit

  17. Slot in the Hobb gear (attached to the other gear) You need to have the top of the pinion gear flush with the top of the Hobb gear. If it isn't—and it likely won't be on the first try—loosen the grub screw and adjust the positioning of the pinion gear on the motor's shaft. You may need to unscrew the extruder body to get at the grub screw.

    • Slot in the Hobb gear (attached to the other gear)

    • You need to have the top of the pinion gear flush with the top of the Hobb gear.

    • If it isn't—and it likely won't be on the first try—loosen the grub screw and adjust the positioning of the pinion gear on the motor's shaft. You may need to unscrew the extruder body to get at the grub screw.

    • When you think you've got it, try pressing down on the Hobb gear lightly to see how it will fare when the whole extruder is screwed in and make sure it's still flush.

    • If the pinion gear is mounted too high you will risk pinching the idler arm against the heat sink which will cause excessive friction.

    • If the pinion gear is mounted too low it will not make full contact with the Hobb gear which risks causing uneven wear.

    Edit

  18. M4 Thumbscrew OR M4 Button Head Screw

    • M4 Thumbscrew

    • OR M4 Button Head Screw

    • M4 Nut

    • Spring

    • Idler Lever

    • The only difference between the thumbscrew and the button head one is ease of use vs. space. If you can, we suggest using the thumbscrew.

    Edit

  19. Screw the M4 nut all the way onto the M4 Screw or Thumbscrew. Push the spring over the threaded part of the screw. The nut will eventually let you adjust the tension on your extruder by travelling down the screw and compressing the spring. Position the other end of the spring on the little bump on the idler lever.

    • Screw the M4 nut all the way onto the M4 Screw or Thumbscrew.

    • Push the spring over the threaded part of the screw. The nut will eventually let you adjust the tension on your extruder by travelling down the screw and compressing the spring.

    • Position the other end of the spring on the little bump on the idler lever.

    Edit

  20. Drop the thumb screw / nut / spring assembly into the extruder body. The screw will slot into the nut-channel in the extruder body, and the idler arm will slip onto the motor shaft.

    • Drop the thumb screw / nut / spring assembly into the extruder body.

    • The screw will slot into the nut-channel in the extruder body, and the idler arm will slip onto the motor shaft.

    • It is normal that the shaft sticks out slightly from the lever.

    • Make sure that the nut slots into the channel fully and that the idler arm is pressed all the way onto the motor shaft.

    • Your assembly may look like either photo above, depending on whether you're using the thumbscrew or the dome screw.

    • Do not compress the spring without the Titan lid on!!! It will go flying out and you will lose it. And it could hit someone in the face.

    Edit

  21. Gold Titan Aero Heat sink

    • Gold Titan Aero Heat sink

    • Assembled Heater Block

    • Thermal Paste Sachet

    Edit

  22. Apply the thermal paste to the heat break.

    • Apply the thermal paste to the heat break.

    • You don't need to use the whole sachet

    Edit

  23. Screw in heat sink and tighten by hand—no need to over-tighten. Wipe away any excess thermal paste.

    • Screw in heat sink and tighten by hand—no need to over-tighten.

    • Wipe away any excess thermal paste.

    • Don't use thermal paste on any other parts of the HotEnd.

    • Wash your hands after working with Thermal Paste

    Edit

  24. Heatsink

    • Heatsink

    • Bearing

    Edit

  25. Insert the 9mm diameter bearing into the the back of the Aero heatsink, this is designed to be a tight fit but you should be able to push it in by hand. Insert the 9mm diameter bearing into the the back of the Aero heatsink, this is designed to be a tight fit but you should be able to push it in by hand.

    • Insert the 9mm diameter bearing into the the back of the Aero heatsink, this is designed to be a tight fit but you should be able to push it in by hand.

    Edit

  26. Filament Guide (1.75mm or 3.00mm)

    • Filament Guide (1.75mm or 3.00mm)

    • PTFE Tubing (for 1.75mm filament only)

    Edit

  27. Cut a 23mm length of PTFE and insert it fully into the top of the heatbreak. To reduce the possibility of jams, ensure that both ends of the PTFE are cut squarely and the ends are not deformed, we recommend using a sharp knife rather than scissors for this.

    • Cut a 23mm length of PTFE and insert it fully into the top of the heatbreak.

    • To reduce the possibility of jams, ensure that both ends of the PTFE are cut squarely and the ends are not deformed, we recommend using a sharp knife rather than scissors for this.

    • Slide the 1.75mm filament guide over the protruding PTFE. The flat side of the guide should be flat with the back of the lid.

    • Ensure that the guide sits flush against the Aero sink. It is preferable to get the tubing too short, rather than too long

    Edit

  28. M3x30 screws

    • M3x30 screws

    • M3x25 Screw (the shortest M3 screw)

    • Shake-proof Washer

    • Assembled Body

    • Assembled Lid

    • The mid-sized 2.5mm Hex Wrench

    Edit

  29. Press the heatsink onto your extruder. It's a bit of a tough fit, but it will all fit in. It will not be flush like the plastic Titan lid would be, as the heatsink is flat on the backside. It is intended that there will be small gaps between the extruder body and the heatsink where the old lid would have fit in.

    • Press the heatsink onto your extruder. It's a bit of a tough fit, but it will all fit in.

    • It will not be flush like the plastic Titan lid would be, as the heatsink is flat on the backside. It is intended that there will be small gaps between the extruder body and the heatsink where the old lid would have fit in.

    Edit

  30. Screw two of the longer 30mm M3 screws you're using on the right two holes on the lid.

    • Screw two of the longer 30mm M3 screws you're using on the right two holes on the lid.

    • Because the extruder is only attached to the motor by one screw at the moment, you may need to wiggle it a little to get them to thread into the motor.

    Edit

  31. Screw your short screw into the lower right hand corner of the lid.

    • Screw your short screw into the lower right hand corner of the lid.

    • This screw goes into the brass insert on the back of the extruder body, not your motor.

    Edit

  32. Slip the shake-proof washer onto the screw with the blue patch lock on it. WARNING - this screw goes through the bearings and so when it is tightened it creates an axial load on the bearings, if this screws is overtightened even once it may cause permanent damage to your bearings which will result in bearing failure -PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

    • Slip the shake-proof washer onto the screw with the blue patch lock on it.

    • WARNING - this screw goes through the bearings and so when it is tightened it creates an axial load on the bearings, if this screws is overtightened even once it may cause permanent damage to your bearings which will result in bearing failure -PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

    • Screw in this screw until it is finger tight and no more.

    • The shake-proof washer will prevent this screw from coming loose.

    • There may be some slight visual misalignment of the idler and teeth, this is due to an inconsequential machining error of the filament drive gear. The toothed portion of the shaft is wide enough to accommodate this minor misalignment with no effect on how the teeth engage the filament.

    • If you find that the screw is not biting it may be due to the teeth on the slip proof washer protruding slightly which increases the thickness, try to flatten out the teeth before trying again.

    Edit

  33. Try to rotate the large acetal gear to see if it moves smoothly. If it is hard to rotate, check the position of the steel pinion gear, it may be too far forward. Adjust it so that it is flush with the front face of the acetal gear and try again. If this does not solve the issue, then the screw with the shake-proof washer on it may have been overtightened. If loosening this screw allows the acetal gear to run smoothly then the screw has been overtightened and permanent damage may have been caused to the bearings; seek replacement bearings if this is the case.

    • Try to rotate the large acetal gear to see if it moves smoothly.

    • If it is hard to rotate, check the position of the steel pinion gear, it may be too far forward. Adjust it so that it is flush with the front face of the acetal gear and try again.

    • If this does not solve the issue, then the screw with the shake-proof washer on it may have been overtightened. If loosening this screw allows the acetal gear to run smoothly then the screw has been overtightened and permanent damage may have been caused to the bearings; seek replacement bearings if this is the case.

    Edit

  34. If the large gear exhibits “backlash” (there's play between the large plastic gear and the metal one on the drive shaft), loosen all screws on the lid and rotate the body such that the gears fully mesh.

    • If the large gear exhibits “backlash” (there's play between the large plastic gear and the metal one on the drive shaft), loosen all screws on the lid and rotate the body such that the gears fully mesh.

    • Re-tighten the screws as described in the previous steps.

    Edit

  35. Aero Asembly

    • Aero Asembly

    • 4x 2.9x13mm Self-Tapping Screws

    • 40mm Fan

    Edit

  36. Place the fan on top of the heatsink fins and use the 2.9x13mm self tapping screws to secure it in place.

    • Place the fan on top of the heatsink fins and use the 2.9x13mm self tapping screws to secure it in place.

    • Do not over-tighten the screws as this can crack the fan.

    • Make sure that there is adequate airflow over the heatsink. If your printer setup blocks the fan, you'll have printing problems.

    Edit

  37. you can guide it a little better by putting a length of PTFE tubing in the top of the idler lever

    • you can guide it a little better by putting a length of PTFE tubing in the top of the idler lever

    • Press the tubing into the lever.

    • It may be a tight fit. You can file down the tube if it helps.

    Edit

  38. To prevent damage to the fragile thermistor wires it is important to provide strain relief to provide protection against printer movements tugging at the wire.

    • To prevent damage to the fragile thermistor wires it is important to provide strain relief to provide protection against printer movements tugging at the wire.

    • Failure to do this step will significantly reduce the lifespan of the thermistor cartridge .

    Edit

  39. Hot-tightening is the last mechanical step before your Aero is ready to go! Hot-tightening is essential to sealing the nozzle and heatbreak together to ensure that molten plastic cannot leak out of the hotend in use.

    • Hot-tightening is the last mechanical step before your Aero is ready to go! Hot-tightening is essential to sealing the nozzle and heatbreak together to ensure that molten plastic cannot leak out of the hotend in use.

    • Using your printer's control software (or LCD screen), set the hotend temperature to 285°C. Allow the hotend to reach 285°C and wait one minute to allow all components to equalise in temperature.

    • Gently tighten the nozzle whilst holding the heater block still with a spanner and using a smaller 7mm spanner to tighten the nozzle. This will tighten the nozzle against the Heatsink and ensure that your hotend does not leak.

    • You want to aim for 3Nm of torque on the hot nozzle—this is about as much pressure as you can apply with one finger on a small spanner.

    Edit

    • You're all set with assembly! All you have left is configuring your firmware to deal with your new extruder. Follow one of the links below to update your firmware:

    • Marlin

    • Repetier

    • Smoothieware

    • RepRap Firmware

    Edit

  41. In your slicer of preference find the retraction settings. In Slic3r this is in printer settings. Start with a retraction length of 0.5mm

    • In your slicer of preference find the retraction settings. In Slic3r this is in printer settings.

    • Start with a retraction length of 0.5mm

    • If you experience blobs or stringing on the surface of the print increase the retraction length to 2mm.

    • Do not increase the retraction length more than 2mm as this can lead to molten plastic being pulled into the heat break, increasing the likelihood of jams.

    Edit

    • Place the Silicone sock on the heater block.

    • Whenever you install a new hotend, it's important to run a PID tune. This will allow your printer to adjust some internal parameters so that it can learn how your hotend heats up. This way, your printer can anticipate how much power it needs to give your hotend to get it up to temperature, but not over.

    • Use a computer to connect to your printer. If you have a typical RepRap printer, you can use PrintRun, Repetier Host, Simplify3D, or MatterControl.

    • Other, closed-source, printers may be better suited to their manufacturer's recommended printer control software.

    Edit
Finish Line

Author

Dan Rock

Member since: 06/07/2018

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