Ender 3 Z lead screw support: push fit

thingiverse

Support for the top of the Z lead screw on an Ender 3 3D printer prevents accidental bending by rotating it unsupported. This is a new design replacing my earlier one with screw fixings, which can be found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3355230. However, this version pushes into the T slot of the top rail instead. It's designed to work in conjunction with a Z knob from techboner (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3179667) fitted to the Z lead screw. An update on January 22, 2019: I've created a new Z lead screw knob with a finger depression for rapid Z traverse, see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3373265. A matching extruder knob is also available at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3373315. When attaching this to the printer, raise the gantry to the top and remove the upper rail to allow the support bracket to slide into the T slot. Replace the top rail carefully positioning the support bracket to align with the Z lead screw. Check that there's no pressure or friction on the lead screw and it can rotate freely. Then fit the knob (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3179667) and check again that the lead screw and knob rotate freely. I've included two versions, a tight and loose fit version. An update: I've designed an alternative version compatible with Filboyt's excellent filament guide at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358978, allowing both to work together. If you like it, make it. If you make it, post the make. If you like it and make it, any tips are greatly appreciated. The difference between Z lead screw designs is: The first version attaches using screws and T nuts due to lights mounted on the upper rail that made removing the upper rail difficult. This design allows mounting without disassembly and some small adjustments for position/alignment. After redesigning my lighting system, removal of the upper rail was no longer a problem. I also found that I didn't need the adjustment provided by the first design, so I created this press fit version. It has a cleaner appearance but requires either removal of the upper rail or lead screw to install it. However, it fits very nicely using the tight fit design. The above two designs aren't compatible with the filament guide mounting block, so I redesigned this press fit version to work together with the filament guide at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358978. This design requires either removal of the upper rail or lead screw for installation but works very nicely with the filament guide. I used the tight fit version on my printer.