OP "PEEK" Printer and Proportional PWM SSR

Description

This project will probably present the first commercially available DIY PEEK printer, the first one with an open chamber, and the ability to assign the temperature to each layer in the slicer. In the future, it will probably also allow for temperature adjustments based on the length of the deposited layer. All of this is made possible by the development of the Proportional PWM SSR, enabling the adjustment of the intensity of the halogen heater to the layer in the slicer.

Details

"OP" Abbreviation, OverPower verb, means to overcome, overwhelm, or exceed the usual or expected limits of something. It implies that a force or influence is more vital or more intense than what is appropriate or manageable, often resulting in one element gaining dominance or control over another.

The concept was presented in November 2022, introducing a new way of processing PEEK and PEKK. However, it's not limited to just these materials; you can print with any type of material, ranging from commodity and engineering plastics to advanced materials.

An explanation of how this concept works was provided, offering you the opportunity to apply the modifications to your existing printer and easily transform it into the "OP" version. Never before has PEEK printing been so cost-effective.

To control the 800-1200W halogen lamp, a Proportional Solid State Relay (PWM SSR) with Pulse Width Modulation was developed, and the detailed installation of the bed heater and halogen lamp was presented.

After months of development, the results have completely exceeded my expectations. It is now time to share this project with the broader additive manufacturing community by presenting the assembly process and later explaining how to use it, while also adding some scientific background as this aspect is currently missing. I believe that understanding the material is essential for eliminating materials that are not suitable for additive manufacturing, thereby reducing waste generation.