Drag Chain Junction Box

thingiverse

I like to be able to pull the entire print-head off of my Ender-3 Pro or CR10 Printers when I need to work on them. However, the long wires to/from the Print-Head, running through sheaths and Cable Chains all the way back to the motherboard are a PITA to take loose just to take the Print-Head off as a single unit, so I add quick-connectors to all of the wires running to/from the print-head (IE: Wires to multiple cooling fans, Heating Element Wires, Temperature Sensor Wires, yada yada yada).I use various connectors rated for the loads that the various wires need to handle, and some of these larger connectors don't fit inside of a standard 3D-Printed Drag Chain. So I designed this "Junction Box" to house all of the various connectors. It'll fit anywhere inline in a drag chain, and can be used in other drag chains carrying wires to/from other parts of the Printers.I can even take the entire print-head assembly off of one Ender-3-Pro printer and slip it onto one of my other Ender-3-Pros in just a few seconds.. no kidding! Same for my CR10 Printers.This junction box is designed to fit inline with the "Looser Cable Chains for the Ender-3 (and Pro), CR10, etc" found on Thingiverse by "Mr.Wraith" (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5932687), but it works just as well with the older types of Drag Chains found on Thingiverse by "Johnniewhiskey" for the Ender-3's and CR10's etc (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2920060)... It even works with many of the "Blockish Style" drag chains sometimes used on the Creality printers (and other types of printers).The Junction Box keeps the connectors secure, and keeps the connectors and wires from breaking loose due to repetitive "back and forth" Print-Head movement. The point where wires are crimped or soldered to connectors can't handle that constant repetitive bending, so the inline junction box solves that problem also.It really makes everything more secure, neater looking, and it's really easy to pop the lid off to disconnect ALL of the wires running to/from the print head. After that, it's simply a matter of loosening the bottom traction tire and the X-Axis Belt to remove the entire print head. The entire operation only takes a few seconds now.I added slots at both ends for small zip-ties to secure wiring bundles if you wish to use them, but I don't. While you're printing drag chains, print an extra one of the tiny "securing cross bars" that clip onto the top of standard drag chains and you can add it to the male end of the junction box.I angled all of the parts so that this prints fine with no supports if you have your printer/fans dialed in.Please consider tossing me a "Motivational Like".. this simple item, and a few quick wire connectors, will make your 3D Printing life SO much easier!