Makergear M2 Filament Guide (fits Rev E, maybe others too)

thingiverse

While not quite a remix, this design drew inspiration from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:154429 as well as the standard holder. The original stock filament guide was too close to the machine, causing frequent binding on PLA filament and leading to it snapping off frequently. I decided to design one in SCAD, spending several revisions perfecting it. Features include: -Guide holes with tapers to aid threading filament -Multiple Bowden tube holders supporting different reel widths -Bowden tube holders with a groove to accommodate varying tube / printing conditions -Angled Bowden tube holder reducing stress at maximum X position -Filleted corners on the wire guard where necessary I aimed for "clean-up free," but depending on your slicer's placement, you might still encounter stringing inside screw holes or Bowden holders. To address this, I use hand-held drill bits of suitable size and twist them in reverse to clean up strings without damaging the part. While some snapping persists with PLA, it feeds evenly off the spool now. I think I'd need to elevate the filament reel (or switch brands) for further improvement, but ABS is my primary printing material at present. Future modifications are in the works: adjusting the notch in the Bowden tube holder to limit overhang angle to 45 degrees max, and possibly adding holes for easy attachment of a fixed filter. Any suggestions or feedback – even negative – would be greatly appreciated. For optimal performance, ABS or PC should be used as they won't sag/melt. This is especially crucial within an enclosure. Print Settings: Printer Brand: MakerGear Printer: M2 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.20 Infill: 35% Notes: I printed in black ABS on Kapton without spray or glue, but any process yielding good results should work. I recommend avoiding supports inside Bowden tube holders. Post-Printing: Holes were cleaned using a hand-held drill bit twisted in reverse. This method is particularly helpful for holes with recesses. Take a look after printing; it might not be necessary. How I Designed This: I measured the stock filament guide and used it as a reference for wiring cutouts. I determined the desired distance from the end and created a block to facilitate good alignment with various reel widths. After observing the "stretch" when the X axis approached its limit, I angled the block accordingly. The Bowden holders were designed with a guild at the bottom, while the top side was based on measurements of the Bowden tube itself, along with some trial and error revisions. The fillets posed a challenge (they significantly slow down rendering), so I used them sparingly.