Heated Platform Contacts Protector for FlashForge Printer

thingiverse

Certain printers like my Inventor from FlashForge have a platform heater with two exposed bare uninsulated 24V contacts. If your metal scraper tool accidentally touches the bare metal while the heater is on, you'll get zapped and that's it for the transistor controlling the platform heater - it will be stuck in an always-on state, creating a hazard due to overheating. The solution is replacing the main board, which comes with a hefty price tag for one short circuit. I learned this the hard way. $215 later and having damaged my LCD cable during the replacement installation, I'm designing this protector and sharing it because no one else should have to go through the frustration I endured. There are two models available: one has a hole for the red LED to shine through and the other does not. The model without a hole is only intended for printing in translucent filament, preferably clear or colors like yellow, orange, or red. (It gives an awesome effect!) This design can be printed without supports and doesn't require a heated platform if printed in PLA, assuming you've already had to disconnect your platform heater due to the same issue and it's the plug with the heavy red and black wires on the left; the printer will still function with it disconnected, but not for designs or materials that might warp. Note that the protector can still slide off, but I've added a tab to catch against the solder contacts and mitigate this danger. Do not print this out of conductive filament. When installing the finished piece, turn off the printer first and ensure you snap the edges firmly against the circuit board; it takes a bit of pressure and you'll want to hold the bottom of the board so it doesn't break. When I contacted FlashForge about the design flaw in their printer, their support department gave me the runaround and refused to honor their warranty.