MakerFarm i3v Heat Bed Wiring Strain Relief

thingiverse

This attaches to the rear of the y-bed on a MakerFarm printer, providing a strain relief point for heat bed and thermistor wiring. The design initially focused on offering support with a curved arc that matched the round tab extension found on the wood type MakerFarm y-beds. While the MakerFarm tab serves as a wiring strain relief point, moving the cable tie location further from the edge of the y-bed offers a better strain relief approach, especially when large gauge wiring is used for the heat bed. In addition to the arc-type support, the final openSCAD script can provide a block that presses against the straight edge of an aluminum y-bed. Use of the block-type support requires drilling mounting holes into the aluminum y-bed. Selection between the two types is a parameter in the openSCAD top level geometry. Changing between the two types typically involves changing the parameter for the y-bed thickness to match wood vs. aluminum bed thickness. The two STL files provided are for an arc-type support for use with a 6-mm thick wood y-bed and a block-type support for use with a 3-mm aluminum bed. The cover photo shows the arc-type support installed on an 8-inch MakerFarm i3v printer with a wood y-bed, using 1/2-inch #4 pan head screws. M3 x 12mm screws would also work. Compatibility with other size i3v printers or printers with an aluminum y-bed has not been tested. The openSCAD file has been extensively commented for those wishing to tailor the strain relief bracket. NOTE: For a version that raises the strain relief surface higher off the print bed and offers recessing mounting screw heads into the bracket, see the remix at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2010943.