Ender 3 Direct Drive Extruder - Stepper Support and Filament Guide

thingiverse

These parts are designed to be used with Benawhite's Ender 3 Direct Drive Adapter (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3386628). They replace the "stepper_spacer.stl" file, offering a spacer that provides support for the stepper motor and a filament guide that slots into place above the new extruder location. Along with the included "blank extruder" part, this allows retaining the bowden tube to constrain the filament path before the extruder, ensuring other accessories like the stock filament spool holder and run-out sensors can still be used with direct drive. Instead of pushing filament through the tube, which can cause jams, especially with flexible filaments, the extruder now pulls the filament through the bowden tube, providing the benefits of direct extrusion without sacrificing any existing accessories. Updated 5-Mar-2020: Added XLoomSupport-v1.stl, designed to be attached along with the X-axis tension pulley, giving support to the wire loom which runs around the right side of the machine. I have not made any changes to the SpacerFilGd files as I no longer use that piece and recommend using the "SpacerSupport_NoFilGd" file instead. The bowden tube only attaches at one end, to the "blank extruder", making filament changes easier. Updated 5-Feb-2020: Added version 4 files, which are currently being tested on my Ender 3. There will be an additional change coming soon as I am not satisfied with the filament guide tab attachment, but these files are fully functional for now. Updated 3-Feb-2020: Please use version 3 files. After getting my printer back up and running, I was able to print the first iteration of these files and found some problems with them. Stay tuned for any additional updates as this is still a work in progress. Files: "SpacerSupport-v4.stl" contains the extruder stepper spacer/support bracket. "SpacerFilGd-v4.stl" contains the filament guide, which slots into place above. "SpacerFilGd_LongTab-v4.stl" contains the same filament guide with a longer tab that may be required for your installation. SpacerSupport_NoFilGd-v4.stl" contains a version of the spacer/support without the slot for the filament guide. "BlankExtruder-v3.stl" is the part which gets installed in the location of the old extruder to facilitate using the old bowden tube as a filament path constraint. "XLoomSupport-v1.stl" installs with the same screws for the X-axis tension pulley and supports the wire loom where it runs around the side of the machine.