Electron3d printer improvements

youmagine

Gathering here various redesigned parts for the Electron 3D printer. Installing components in the order of failure and replacement. The idler support was first to fail due to delamination from incorrect orientation; it was secured with zip ties while printing a replacement. Adding a better air duct, available at youmagine.com/designs/better-fan-duct-for-electron3d-prusa-i3-printer. The 3-point bed support has been redesigned. The aluminum plate tends to twist, causing areas where the print won't stick due to low bed height. A hole was drilled and countersunk in the heater PCB, a notch made in the back bracket for the adjustment screw, and the bracket printed. Redesigning the X axis idler end resulted from poor initial design. Inertial forces from the heavy X carriage and belt tension were transferred through bearings into vertical slides and leadscrews. My version uses screws to transfer forces into X slide rods where they act longitudinally and contains a belt tensioner. Replacing plastic bushings for the Y axis with new ones has resulted in significant improvement. Original ball bearings were noisy and had play inside their housings, causing the entire bed to vibrate. Printed bushings from Thingiverse in Colorfabb XT reduced vibrations by 90% and made the system much quieter. Next step is to replace X bearings for even better performance.