Gear swapping path changers

The extruder motor stays on the carriage and the drive gears travel with the tool along with the hot end. The split is in the middle of the extruder.

Pros

• Motor mass stays off the tool.
• Cheaper tools than carrying a whole extruder.
• Filament path is not modified.

Cons

• The drive coupling has to re-engage accurately every change.
• Requires custom motor.

Systems