Hi all, Just being a bit dim I think,

3D Printing
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Hi all,

Just being a bit dim I think, I need a power supply for running prototype testing of my alternate hot end, but need to do a lot of bench testing first for flow rates etc before it goes anywhere. As a mechanical engineer, the finer points of electronics, power consumption etc are a dark art that I am going to dabble in for the prototype. Any suggestions say from RS would be appreciated, I’ve just been looking and more confused than ever now😬

Any advice gratefully received

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  1. Got a meter, or someone who might have 1 to borrow ?
  2. can you put an inductive current meter over the + line to see draw? if not can you series wire the meter in ?
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@Caleb_ABUBANDBEYOND ok, got the meter, I’ll give that a go…what will this tell me though?

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What are you trying to find out ?

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If you are using a different spec heater element you may want to know how much power it is drawing [dissipating]

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@William_Frick I’m starting on a build of a screw feed extruder using granular materials rather than filament, as used in injection moulding machines. I picked up a couple of jhead heaters because I know I plan to deposit quicker than filament. It’s a major development project for me, I can see it working, the design will evolve I’m sure but I need data from my prototype, so knowing what goes in compared to what comes out is vitality important.

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Ask for help and post on arduino site . use the inputs and plot the data . wham! also post on 3d printing site. I care because I want to add extruder to my cnc router-plasma cutter- hotplate temp; extruder Head temp all matters on clean power through out. Any spikes causes data loss at motors. That matters at .ooo1

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@Caleb_ABUBANDBEYOND sounds like we are working on similar idea, this print head will end up on my CNC too