13
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Fribbtastic@lemmy.world to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world

I have an Ender 5 Plus with some upgrades ("Old" MicroSwiss Direct Drive, Exoslide XY, custom shroud) and I occasionally have the issue in which the Cables for the Print head as well as the Filament Feeding Tube interfere or get caught on something on the printer.

The most recent example was when I printed (or wanted to print) something and in the middle of the night I woke up and checked up on it and it had a layer shift. Turns out that the filament feeding tube got caught in the X belt of the exoslide and prevented it from moving properly.

I already printed some brackets for the cables on the backside to the print head but the tube is still fairly unstable and flopping over after some time. The same with the filament feeding tube, since they are delivered in a spiral they are fairly fixed in that position and while I could and now have oriented it into a position that it wouldn't get caught, I need a more permanent solution.

What I am looking for is something to keep the cables upright, maybe even some "boom arm" that has some clips on it that pull/hold the cables up but also not as tight so that it interferes with anything...

Here is an image of my Printer. which pretty much shows the issue.

top 10 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] FireTower@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Maybe you could rig something up with retractable badge holders. You might be able to get them for free from your work.

[-] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I would suggest zip ties and rerouting/moving the filament feed tube to be ran along with the wires. Generally, when snuggly bundled the lot becomes stiff enough to keep it free.

Otherwise cable chains- but with a system that moves in x and why, you will have to chain to the x slide and then the y slide to see any real benefit- they’re supposed to roll on a single axis…. And this would considerably increase the length of the over all run.

[-] EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

Two options:

1.GFK road as a stiffener.

  1. Energychain/dragchain.

If you want it simple and cheap use the GFK. Otherwise, opt for the drag chain. If you need help selecting the chain feel free to ask. Btw. Upgrade to the Biqu CAN hotend/adapter and use a single can-bus/fieldbus cable.

[-] SpecialPurpose@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

You might be interested in a cable cable chain like this:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5251511

I printed one for my Ender 3 v2, and it works flawlessly for mitigating the issues you described.

[-] Fribbtastic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I have seen this and played with that Idea for a while but never really could find something that would fit or work with how my setup is constructed. Since I have an Exoslide, custom shroud and so on, those Cable Chains are mostly designed for stock parts.

And I am by far not skilled enough to make the adjustments or remix those things myself.

[-] EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

TL;DR No.

short version: No. Bad design.

longer version: Drag chains 101: defined bending radius, no overlapping cables, and strain relief on both ends. This design has none of those properties.

very long version: Read up on energy chains.

[-] SpecialPurpose@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Great points. I appreciate the critique. Can you recommend a design that ameliorates the issues you mentioned?

[-] EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

I make my own when I need them, so I am not aware of good models for the Ender 5. With the points mentioned, I think you could tell whether a chain is good or not.

Quick search. This looks promising: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4635454

This is the interface/linking I use. One detail that isn't visible: the "hub" isn't a cylinder. It's a truncated cone.

end pice:

[-] SpecialPurpose@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Thank you so much for this. I definitely have a better idea of what to look for. I see exactly what you mean regarding the linkage. I have yet to see that system for limiting the radial movement. I love the elegant simplicity. I haven't had any problems with my current chain, but I will definitely incorporate these elements into the next chain I print.

[-] pipe01@lemmy.pipe01.net 1 points 1 year ago

I was gonna print one of these chains, what would be a good design?

this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
13 points (100.0% liked)

3DPrinting

15306 readers
198 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: !functionalprint@kbin.social or !functionalprint@fedia.io

There are CAD communities available at: !cad@lemmy.world or !freecad@lemmy.ml

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS