Aftermarket Extruder Tension Spacer System

thingiverse

I've finished assembling the final pieces, and I'd like to highlight two key modifications I made. Firstly, I swapped out the longer screw for the shorter one that came with the replacement extruder, which provides a more stable thread and allows for easier tension adjustments. This change was crucial in preventing over-tightening, which can lead to under-extrusion failures. I've put this new setup through its paces with a 5-hour print, and I'm happy to report that there were no issues with extrusion. The goal of this project is to replace the spring in aftermarket extruders commonly purchased for the Ender 3. After multiple failed attempts to print TPU with an aftermarket extruder from Amazon, I discovered that the spring was too tight for the soft filament. This caused the filament to become bound up, resulting in under-extrusion failures. To compensate, I had to unscrew the pully so it sat at an angle, which was a temporary fix but not a sustainable solution. Since there's no way to adjust tension on the extruder itself, I began searching for a more permanent solution. I couldn't find anything quick and easy on Thingiverse, so I decided to create something myself. Hopefully, this design will benefit others who've faced similar challenges. To make installation as seamless as possible, I designed this replacement spring to use original parts from the most commonly updated systems on the Ender 3. The spring is actually one of the four original bed leveling springs, and the screw comes from the original extruder pully. This design choice makes it easier for users to access and install the new spring. What you'll need to get started: * Aftermarket Aluminum Extruder (similar dimensions to those found on Amazon) * Original Bed Spring * Either the original anchor screw or the one shipped with the replacement extruder (or any other long enough with the same thread)