Filament Entrance Ball Pivot

myminifactory

This is an innovative filament entrance part designed for enclosed printers. It enables the filament to smoothly enter the top section while pivoting freely without a large open hole. Two distinct ball fit options are available, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs best. The tighter fit variant worked flawlessly for me. To ensure optimal results, verify that your tube is not too tightly fitted, as this can cause pinching against the filament. If necessary, ream out the tube slightly. I employed tape to hold the tube in place during assembly. A short length of tubing is all you need for this project. A hole with a diameter of approximately 20mm (~13/16") or simply using a 3/4" bit and filing it out slightly will suffice. To assemble the part, flip the main component over so that the hex side faces down on the bed. A small groove is incorporated into one side of the ball to facilitate retracts in this specific area. This feature prevents the formation of ridges that can impede free movement during printing. As I primarily use Slic3r for slicing, I set the seam position to rear and positioned this feature accordingly, ensuring seamless retraction and optimal print quality.