Ender 3 Z lead screw support

thingiverse

Support for the top of the Z lead screw on an Ender 3 3D printer prevents accidental bending by rotating it unsupported by hand. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a Z knob, techboner's (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3179667), fitted to the Z lead screw. January 22, 2019 Update: A new Z lead screw knob has been designed with a finger depression for rapid Z traverse to go along with this support. See https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3373265. A matching extruder knob is also available, see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3373315. This support attaches using M4 T slot nuts and M4 socket head cap screws supplied with the printer. Initially install it loosely, then raise the gantry to the top before securing the screws. Ensure there's no pressure or friction on the lead screw, allowing it to rotate freely. Next, fit the Z knob (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3179667), and check that both the lead screw and knob can rotate freely without over-tightening the screws. An elongated version has been added with +/-0.5mm adjustment if preferred. Update: An alternative press-fit design for this mount is available, see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358957. Additionally, an alternate version of the press-fit design compatible with Filboyt's excellent filament guide design can be found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358978. If you like it, make it. If you make it, post the result. If you both like and make it, any tips are greatly appreciated. The difference between Z lead screw designs lies in attachment methods: This version attaches to the upper rail using screws and T nuts. It was designed this way due to previously mounted lights on the upper rail that made removal difficult. This design allows mounting without disassembly and some small adjustment for position/alignment. A new lighting system has been designed, rendering removal unnecessary. Adjustment was also found unnecessary, leading to a redesigned press-fit version (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358957). This press-fit design provides a cleaner appearance but requires either upper rail or lead screw removal for installation. However, it fits snugly (tight fit design used). The two designs are incompatible with the filament guide mounting block, so an updated press-fit version was created to work alongside the filament guide, see https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358978. This revised design also requires upper rail or lead screw removal for installation but works seamlessly with the filament guide and uses the tight fit version on my printer.