Makerbot 5G Smart Extruder Hugger

thingiverse

I don't know if this qualifies as a Remix or entirely new design. There's already a 5G clip available on Thingiverse, but I felt compelled to create two clips to ensure security, so instead of printing two clips every time they wore out, I designed this hugger. This approach pretty much defeats the purpose of the Smart Extruder's magnetic mount, but as someone pointed out, "I've had countless jams and had to disassemble the extruder numerous times, the tabs are gone." These were my exact sentiments. I have two original Smart Extruders that are friction-fit (by design) and am now starting to encounter Extruder Detached errors, making these clips a necessity. Alternatively, you could purchase a couple of Smart Extruder+ for $300 each. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about this design. There is an opening for the hot air from the heat sink to escape, perhaps I can create one with a 40-60mm fan for improved extraction, thus preventing any blockages. The four fingers clip into place as usual, and the upper right finger has been shaved for better access to the tensioner. That's about it. I prefer printing these parts with carbon fiber for added stiffness and longevity. I believe CF-PLA will withstand more heat than regular PLA. I've designed some LED light rails for my 5G, which after about two to three weeks started to curl, so I'm now using CF-PLA versions, which seem okay so far. I like the feel of printing these parts with three shells and 15-20% infill. It's best to print them with supports in place. Initially, I printed it upright, which took forever and had challenging support material cleanup. Maybe this would be better printed on its back, with minimal support material for the four hooks. I hope this design proves helpful to all 5G owners.