Ender 3 Filament Roller Guide at Top

thingiverse

Minor Update 20/3/19: Getting the filament smoothly into your extruder feeder is crucial. With the Ender 3, the spool holder is usually mounted on top, creating a steep angle of entry, which can wear out the slot in the feeder arm if left unchecked. The filament also rubs against the lead screw at the bottom. Several solutions to this issue are already available - here's my take on it. This design fits CR-10 (without filament runout sensor). I prefer designing things that don't require extra hardware, but to achieve a proper fit you will need a skateboard bearing and a 4mm bolt. Printed bearings or modifications that create friction/slop are not suitable options. The roller guide is a secure push fit onto the top carriage and requires no hardware for mounting. It won't fall off, the filament is captive so it can't pop out of the roller or jam up. Importantly, it provides the filament with a smooth path. Print parts as oriented in the STL files, no problem printing all required pieces at once. You will need to print: 1 - bracket, 1 - ring (print ring.stl first; if it's not tight enough, then ring-sm.stl is slightly smaller inside), 2 - spacers Plus you will need: 1 - 608 bearing (commonly used for skateboard wheels and other things), 1 - M4 x 16mm bolt (a spare part with my Ender 3, hopefully yours too). Assembly (the photos will assist): 1) Lay the ring on a flat surface and press the bearing all the way in - if you feel it's not on tight enough then print ring-sm and use that one. 2) Push a spacer into each side of the bearing If you don't want to pull the filament out of your hotend, do step 3 last. 3) Fit the assembled bearing into the bracket, insert and tighten the bolt from the front - the back hole is smaller so the bolt can cut a thread as you wind it in. 4) Firmly push the bracket all the way onto the Z-axis carriage (the cutouts wrap around the axle spacer and nut). 5) Ensure filament isn't tangled from the spool then feed end through roller, then into extruder feeder as per normal. Happy printing. Tutorial edit G-CODE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4BJDk5OBxw Video test g-code M600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadCyPkTkHo