E3D Chimera Hot End Mount for Wanhao Duplicator i3 and clones

thingiverse

I designed this simple mount to allow me to use a cheap clone of an E3D V6 Chimera. The link to its documentation is provided below: https://wiki.e3d-online.com/Cyclops_%26_Chimera_Documentation. This dual extruder hot end is being used as a single extruder only, as most parts are swappable with the E3D V6 I was using previously. However, I prefer the flat surface bolt-based mounting method on the chimera to the circular tube clamp method used on the E3D V6. This makes for a more secure and vibration-resistant hot end that should perform better. The design is basic and focuses on keeping the hot end close to the rails for maximum support and minimum wobble. I have used chunky parts for all the load-bearing bits, still managing to leave room for all the bolts. My cheap E3D Chimera clone's hot end was slightly off parallel, so I tilted the mounting holes by about a degree to compensate. It is uncertain if your hot end will be similarly tilted, but both the tilted and non-tilted versions are included along with a link to the tinkercad files so you can alter the tilt yourself: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/4QIxMhLY6f4. Two part cooling fans cannot be fitted on this design. If upgrading to a dual extruder printer in the future is desired, then redesigning the mount accordingly will be necessary. So far, I have printed about 4 things with the single nozzle chimera hot end, and it performs at least as well as the E3D V6 did with minimal setup. I'm happy. Four different end-stop mounts in various lengths are included, hopefully one of them will be the right length for you. If not, please message me or use my tinkercad design files to create a custom mount. I found someone else's part cooling fan attachment for a radial blower fan that I had lying around. The arm was shortened to bring the cooler nozzle in closer to the hot end. There is quite a lot of airflow around the heating element, and this only works well because I have a silicon sock over mine to keep it insulated. The part cooler is a modified version of the Dual Blower/Radial Fan Duct Mount (Tevo Tarantula) by supasorn October 25, 2016. Thanks, supasorn! The link to its documentation is provided below: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1850163. I used someone else's remix as my base; Tevo Tarantula Dual Extruder Fanduct by Juangv June 06, 2017. The link to its documentation is provided below: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2368133. There are still several tasks left to do, including adding holes to allow access to the grub screws on the back of the hot end heatsink. At present, I would have to remove the chimera from the plastic mount to get at those. Also, redesigning the whole thing when I've got the cash for a second extruder stepper motor, etc., so that I can get two part cooling fans on it and fit everything else in that I'd need.