Direct Drive Mod for Flex Filaments

This modification/addition to the direct drive extruder can make feeding flexible filaments more reliable. I have a Qidi X-plus printer and the specs states that it can print TPU at 30mm/sec print speed but I found that I have to slow it down to almost 15mm/sec to get it to feed reliably because otherwise it would jam. I thought of getting a Flexion extruder, but it would take too much work to adapt so I decided to make this thing. With this installed, I can print at 30-40mm/sec with no problems.

You slide this sleeve on to the extruder gear and it will basically remove the gap where the TPU/flexible filament can jam into. You may have to sand it down a little to reduce the friction as much as possible because it is a tight fit. It does add a little friction, but the stepper motor is not bothered by it that much.

You must add a very small amount of superglue to tack it on (very little…like a small drop and only the half side of the tab). My original design had a vertic