Prusa MK3 USB Bore Scope Camera from behind Printhead

thingiverse

I built a cradle to hold a 5.5mm or 8mm camera, which fits behind the printhead. This allows for an unobstructed view. It replaces the Prusa cable clip on the backside of the printhead. The first attempt was with a 5.5mm camera. It worked, but the resolution of 640x480 pixels was not very satisfying. I ordered a high-definition 8mm Camera with 1280x720 pixels, IP67 rating and 30 frames per second. Now you can watch the nozzle deposit filament in real-time. Both cameras have an integrated LED light source, although the 8mm lighting must be switched on manually after each restart. A one-meter cable length is more than sufficient. When installing this cradle, please check if the case for the heated printhead cable is low enough. I use a horizontal cable cover. Both cameras work with OctoPrint. Best results are achieved by slicing with small sides down and support from the printbed. On December 14, 2018, I added an 8mm version with longer arms. This helps to observe the nozzle from a lower angle if you use the silicone cover for the heating element. You will need a very flat heatbed cable cover, like https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3007210. On April 1, 2018, for the MK3S, use the shorter one with the flat heatbed cover.