Hotend Mounted Endoscope Camera for Z9M3

thingiverse

Hotend Mounted Endoscope Camera for Z9M3 **I've got video footage, now I need to figure out how to upload it. Just added a picture for now, and once my next print job is finished, I'll measure the point where my nozzle is so that if you want to make one, you'll know exactly how to adjust the placement to fit your needs. Will update SketchUp soon too. This setup is specifically designed for the Zonestar Z9M3 (3in1), allowing me to monitor both the nozzle and the bed through a second camera view. I've got this camera mount fitted onto the lower 2 screws, but I've also made some modifications to the hotend fans - using ABS right now, so I moved my part fan for better cooling of the filament. Plans are in place to add a part fan on the back. I managed to find a 6mm Endoscope camera unit from China for under $10, which is an incredible deal. The print will require some tweaks to get the hole perfect and tight enough to secure the camera. I'll also be taping the camera onto the outside to prevent it from sliding down into the print surface. My camera has some threads at the end, but I'm not relying on them to hold the camera in place. When printing with white filament, the camera gets a bit jittery, but it's 100% effective for showing what matters most. **Warning: things may appear worse than they are when viewed from such a close focal point. I've also got a T6 LED lighting up the bed from a different angle, roughly at nozzle height, which has helped massively in fine-tuning my 3D printer's settings - bed leveling, filament flow, retractions, and more. When the nozzle takes up about 1/4th of the screen, you can imagine how detailed your work will be. I know there are better cameras out there, but this cheapest option I found gets the job done. The cables may eventually give out, but it's a simple matter to solder in new ones.