Anet A8 Extruder Fan Caddy + Aus3D Sensor Mount

thingiverse

This is an innovative solution to the Anet A8's notorious filament loading issue. Loading filament can be akin to performing surgery while blindfolded. A redesigned fan setup replaces the heat sink with a "holster" that accepts a fan "caddy." This caddy allows you to insert your 40mm fan, which slides in and out effortlessly by grasping the small handle, providing visibility inside the extruder. I specifically designed this to accommodate my Noiseblocker NB BlackSilentFan XM2 40mm fan, but other 40mm fans should also fit (the Anet A8 stock fan is a likely candidate, although it has not been tested). The bottom edge of the holster features two slots that enable mounting the Aus3D IR Z stop sensor using M3 screws and nuts. However, in my setup, the sensor board was too close to the semicircle blower fan nozzle, prompting me to add three M3 washers between the mounts and the board for optimal spacing. **Two fan caddies are included**: one with "bunny ears" and another without. I encountered some curling during printing due to the narrow outline of the former. You may opt for a raft instead; if so, avoid using the bunny ears version.