Lightweight Extruder Carriage for Anet A8 MK8 (Inductive probe + Filament runout + Belt tensioner)

thingiverse

This is a lightweight extruder carriage for an Anet A8 2017 printer model, featuring integrated support for a 12mm Z probe, filament runout sensor, and belt tensioner. Although it's still under development, you can already install and use this modification. My primary concern was whether the new design would melt due to heat buildup near the plastic during longer prints. So far, I've successfully printed parts that lasted more than 4 hours using ABS at a temperature of 215ºC, and the temperature near the plastic seems manageable. The main modification involves replacing the original aluminum support with a new one and rearranging cable positions. Please refer to the attached pictures and the step-by-step guide below for detailed instructions. Here are the advantages: - Integration: I sought a more integrated carriage that looks designed specifically for the Anet A8 printer, as we often need to attach additional components like belt tensioners, inductive Z probes, etc. - Weight reduction: This new design is significantly lighter than the original, as you remove the aluminum piece and three cases for linear bearings (~ 200g). Disadvantages: - Although I haven't encountered any issues so far, there might be some. I'm still monitoring the heat at the motor, which is covered by the support, and longer prints with bridges need to be tested. The part in the pictures was printed using this new carriage with speeds of 80mm/s for perimeters, 100mm/s for infill, and 130mm/s for travel. The enclosure for the filament runout sensor accommodates a 9x3.5mm switch found in an old CDROM drive. I chose it over the original end stop due to its size, but plan to replace it with a more standard one like [this A15 camera model](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LDY492T/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_sjHjCbSP5D0B0) in the future. Interestingly, this replacement switch fits within the current design. **Please note that the clearances in this design are extremely tight, requiring a well-calibrated printer for successful installation and use.** I drew inspiration from LittleMrJ's design when creating this modification, thanking him for sharing his ideas and dimensions to get started. While I've adapted the original concept significantly, it provided a great foundation for my work.