{"id":164455,"date":"2022-02-27T15:26:21","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T07:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&#038;p=164455"},"modified":"2023-01-06T10:25:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T02:25:45","slug":"direct-drive-vs-bowden-extruder-the-differences","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/direct-drive-vs-bowden-extruder-the-differences","title":{"rendered":"Direct Drive vs Bowden Extruder: The Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Long discussions have been had over the best extrusion system. Learn the differences between direct drive vs. Bowden extruder setups!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"headline headline--xxl\">Extrusion 101<\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.facfox.com\/imgs\/2022\/03\/48b72038da987e93.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"460\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bowden vs. direct drive systems (Source: Daniel Ahlers via Research Gate)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/fused-deposition-modeling-fdm-3d-printing-simply-explained\">Fused-deposition modeling (FDM)<\/a>\u00a03D printers use either direct drive or Bowden extruder setups. And while the basic principle is the same \u2013 the use of an extruder to push filament through a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/the-best-3d-printer-nozzle-types-sizes-materials\">heated nozzle<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the difference lays in\u00a0<em>where\u00a0<\/em>that extruder sits.<\/p>\n<p>In a direct drive system, the extruder is mounted on the printhead and so pushes the filament directly into the hot end. Meanwhile, a Bowden system usually has the extruder mounted on the frame of the printer. As such, the filament travels through a PTFE tube to reach the hot end.<\/p>\n<p>Both setups have the same outcome, but there are some consequences of the different designs. Let\u2019s explore the pros and cons of these two options!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"headline headline--xxl\">Direct Drive System<\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.facfox.com\/imgs\/2022\/03\/5976121acf376524.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"663\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prusa printers use direct drive extruder setups (Source: PrusaPrinters Blog)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With a direct drive setup, the extruder pushes the filament directly into the nozzle. This method is helpful for many reasons, but it also has some downsides. Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n<h4>PROS<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reliable extrusion<\/strong>: Since a direct drive extruder is mounted to the printhead, the motor can easily push filament through the nozzle, resulting in fewer extrusion-related issues.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Better retraction<\/strong>: Because the extruder is close to the nozzle, it can more easily\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-printer-retraction-speed-simply-explained\">retract filament<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Less-powerful motor<\/strong>: Due to the short distance between the extruder and the nozzle, less torque from the motor is required to push the filament.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wider range of filaments<\/strong>: Although less relevant now as in the early RepRap days, a direct drive extruder is generally considered to be more compatible with a wider\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/best-3d-printer-filament-the-types-in-2022\">range of filaments<\/a>. This is especially the case with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/flexible-filaments-for-3d-printing-simply-explained\">flexible<\/a>\u00a0and abrasive materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>CONS<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Vibrations:<\/strong>\u00a0With the extruder mounted to the printhead, weight is obviously added. This extra weight adds speed constraints, causing more wobble and possibly a loss of accuracy in X and Y movements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cumbersome maintenance:<\/strong>\u00a0In some direct drive setups, the extruder being mounted to the printhead can make accessing certain parts for maintenance more difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"headline headline--xxl\">Bowden System<\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.facfox.com\/imgs\/2022\/03\/a11060acdb79927f.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Creality machines are champions of the Bowden extruder setup (Source: rimstar.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Unlike in a direct drive setup, in a Bowden setup, the extruder is mounted on the printer\u2019s frame. It pushes and pulls filament through a long PTFE tube (called a Bowden tube) and into the hot end. Naturally, this system also has pros and cons.<\/p>\n<h4>PROS<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cleaner movements<\/strong>: Since in a Bowden setup, the extruder is mounted on the printer\u2019s frame rather than on the print head, much less weight is on the carriage. Less weight means faster, quieter, and higher quality prints.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Larger build volume<\/strong>: Though not always the case (depending on a printer\u2019s construction), a Bowden setup can allow for a smaller printhead carriage, which, in turn, allows for increased build volume.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>CONS<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>More powerful motor<\/strong>: Because the extruder must push and pull filament through a long tube, a certain amount of friction exists between the two. This friction calls for more torque to adequately control the filament.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Slower response time<\/strong>: Friction in the Bowden tube also translates to a more noticeable delay between extruder and nozzle. These extruders therefore require faster acceleration in extrusion and retraction to deposit properly and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-print-stringing-5-easy-ways-to-prevent-it\">avoid stringing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Material complications<\/strong>: Some flexible and abrasive filaments can easily bind or wear in Bowden tubes, especially in older models of printers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"headline headline--xxl\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.facfox.com\/imgs\/2022\/03\/629ea7e10c48424e.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">What&#8217;s best for you? (Source: Schlotzz via Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So, which system is better? It depends. Before you decide which extrusion option to use for your printer, you should consider some important factors.<\/p>\n<p>The first is frame stability.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/what-is-a-delta-3d-printer-simply-explained\">Delta printers<\/a>, for example, can\u2019t support direct drive. If, however, your Cartesian or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/all3dp.com\/2\/corexy-3d-printer-is-it-worth-buying\/\">CoreXY<\/a>\u00a0printer has a sturdy frame, printing with a direct drive extruder should be no problem.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/the-best-3d-print-speed-settings-for-pla-more\">Speed<\/a>\u00a0is also a deciding factor. If your priority is fast, precise printing with standard materials, a Bowden extruder setup will be more satisfactory.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, you should consider the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-printing-materials-the-ultimate-guide\">materials<\/a>\u00a0you would like to print with. If you\u2019re interested in flexible or abrasive filaments, a direct drive system is likely the one for you.<\/p>\n<p>Good luck finding your perfect extruder!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/all3dp.com\/2\/direct-vs-bowden-extruder-technology-shootout\/\">https:\/\/all3dp.com\/2\/direct-vs-bowden-extruder-technology-shootout\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Long discussions have been had over the best extrusion system. Learn the differences between direct drive vs. Bowden extruder setups! Extrusion 101 Fused-deposition modeling (FDM)\u00a03D printers use either direct drive or Bowden extruder setups. And while the basic principle is the same \u2013 the use of an extruder to push filament through a\u00a0heated nozzle\u00a0\u2013 the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"kbtopic":[137],"kbtag":[130,387,510],"class_list":["post-164455","kb","type-kb","status-publish","hentry","kbtopic-case","kbtag-3d-printer","kbtag-extruder","kbtag-hardware"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Direct Drive vs Bowden Extruder: The Differences - FacFox Docs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Long discussions have been had over the best extrusion system. Learn the differences between direct drive vs. Bowden extruder setups! Extrusion 101 Long discussions have been had over the best extrusion system. 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