DIY PrintRite Cable Chain Setup

thingiverse

Here is my setup for the cable chain on my DIY PrintRite. The Z to Y holder is designed to be fixed in place. To make this, you'll need 4 or 7 5mm steel balls, oil, 2 M3*8 screws (hex socket recommended), and a few zip ties. Tips & Notes A.S.: I apologize for my average English level. All parts are easy to print, but you will need a quite good enough size accuracy to make it efficient. The YZ-ChainSupport is the only part that needs a few supports. Chain links and holders can be printed at 0.2 layer height. Clamps should be printed at a higher resolution for the balls slots (1.5 is good enough). About clamps, I personally used 6.3mm balls that I got back from a broken ball bearing. But I also joined 5mm *.stl file (which is a more conventional diameter). I couldn't try them so if you go for them make a try first and let me know how it fits. I recommend a number of 19 or 20 chain links for each axis. Using some vaseline oil will definitely help each link to work together. For the springs, you can use them (and find them here), but I recommend using zip-ties; one at first and one at last chain link. Tighten them strongly to avoid cables from moving, you don't need more than 4. The Y axis motor's cable is just long enough for this if and only if you turn the motor upside down in order to get the plug looking up. The chain will make noise at first, but after some prints it will quickly quiet down. It will still remain some noises that time will make disappear. If you like it take half a minute to like the work I referred to: Claghorn's Open Cable Chain. ProdyThe's Chain Clamp Extruder Edit 20/05/16: I have added a third optional ball bearing clamp for a better chain guide (6.3 and 5mm versions). Edit 24/06/16: -The YZ ball bearing is now 4mm shorter. -The optional Y block bearing has changed and needs 3 balls; the 5mm versions are now good, previous ones weren't. Edit 03/12/16: I made a new version (stronger) of the YZ chain support called ChainSupport-V02. It's still designed to be fixed in place.