Ender 3 v2 - Side Spool Filament Loader

thingiverse

********IMPORTANT ADDENDUM/EDIT***** Please print the right arm (the arm that holds the spool as in the photo) with 100% infill. It's not much more costly than 20% with this piece, it's a small piece, and it will be a lot stronger. Mine broke, I think a 100% infill would fix it, or a stronger filament than standard PLA like I used. ************************************************** Tested on my Ender 3 v2, but should work on other Ender models if they use the same t-slot rail design. The extruder part may need to be connected via a different method if on a model that is different from the Ender 3D. This mod fixes the default extruder problem (by default it shaves plastic as you print, and wears out extruder arms/holes). But primarily it is intended to allow you to run your plastic spool on the side of the printer instead of the top. I needed room in my cabinet for the printer so I move the spool from the top to the side. This is an ALL-PLASTIC mod requiring no extra hardware to install, but it helps if you have the right tools, mainly a fine circular file to file a larger hole in the wheels, and/or to sand file down the axle. You can easily adapt this to use skateboard bearings instead of plastic bearings if you prefer them, but I have tested this with the plastic axle and wheels, it works great. Part of this is a remix - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3052488. For some reason I cannot select this remix while creating my Thing, so I'm placing the attribution here in the summary. It also uses minor concepts from a couple other remixes of that project, including the all-plastic wheel and axle. I did a lot of work on the top brackets and pieces, lots of prototyping to design the perfect support rails. **Printing Instructions** I use 210c degrees on my PLA with stock Ender 3 V2 hot-end, build plate at 60c Standard quality, 0.2 millimeter precision This should be printable without supports, I have not tried the whole thing without supports, but I have tried most pieces independently and they work fine. The left top arm that holds the top wheel might need support, ymmv here. If in doubt, I would suggest adding supports to that piece only (in Cura this can be done using the "custom supports" plugin from the marketplace - just place support columns on the part that's at a 45 degree angle). ***USE A RAFT*** for build plate adhesion. I do not guarantee results if you if you skip the raft. The way I see it, it wastes a lot more plastic to have to re-build things when it comes off the build plate than to just use a raft. Ever since I started rafting my prints, my precision and accuracy have improved tremendously. To assemble, you'll need to sand down the inner part of the wheels a bit to get them rolling freely. It might also help to sand the axles. This was done on purpose, the wheels should be a tight fit out of the box, and it's up to you how much you want to sand them. My wheels spin freely when I flick them. It will work if the wheels merely roll and even get stuck a little, but it's more pleasing if everything rolls correctly! The parts are labeled in one of the attached files - Legend.png **!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Post print assembly - Important Notes (refer to legend) !!!!!!!!!!!!** Spool Bracket (top right piece that the spool holder will be screwed into): First you will need to manually insert the t-nuts of the spool holder into the bracket one by one, being patient to make sure they are aligned properly. They will not self-lock like they do in the metal rail (or at least mine refused to do so). Next, remove the end cap on the right bracket and slide the right bracket and spool holder onto the rail. Left Top Bracket and Left Top Wheel Arm - the bracket and wheel arm connect to each other using a very useful slot mechanic that you'll probably want to grab and use in your other prints. This arm holds the LARGE axle/pin with a guardrail at a 45% angle to the printer, with a small gap that lets you insert PLA. Bottom bracket: This part slips on to the stock extruder frame with a nifty slot. The bottom wheel uses the SMALL axle/pin. Sand this wheel hole and its axle to get the wheel to spin easily when you flick it with your finger. To get the PLA through you can either thread it through if it is not already in the extruder, or you can disassemble/reassemble the wheel anytime to place the PLA into the wheel well enclosure. There you have it. With just some plastic and some basic tools, you've modded your printer to use a side-spool instead of a top-mounted spool! Please feel free to ask questions!