Rep 1 Filament Monitor Mount

thingiverse

A few months ago I acquired a set of Aaron Tunell's filament monitors from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:345216. My mounting setup would differ significantly since I had previously ditched the rear mounted spools and opted for an overhead setup, with the filament feeding straight down. This modification also eliminated the guide tubes. I utilize an exceptional acrylic hood designed by Dave Randolph found at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23386. With this hood in place, the spools are positioned above (or on rollers attached to the hood itself), and I simply feed the filament through a slot left where the top and slanted front of the hood pieces meet. To mount the monitors, the answer is clear – they should be attached directly to the hood, fixed in that same slot. Although I haven't wired them yet (need to extend the cables), it appears to function well. Instructions: This instance was a rare occurrence where the model seamlessly transitioned from OpenSCAD to print and installation, all in one go. Upon reviewing the finished product, I couldn't identify anything that I would want to modify at this time. The model prints with ease; I used a 0.15 layer height and 12% infil, printed with Simplify3D in ABS. When attaching the cable connecting the two monitors, it needs to be bent backward so it extends behind the monitors. Alternatively, it can be shortened if one has the necessary soldering skills. The data cable requires extension to reach the Mightyboard. When doing so, an inline connector should be added to enable the hood's removal without necessitating the monitors' removal. Additional tasks include securing the cable with clamps and adding double-sided tape for the mount to stay in place on top of the hood. The monitors are secured with four M3-10 cap screws, which are straightforward. The mounting piece then sits within the slot, stabilized by front and rear tabs. For extra assurance, a bit of double-sided tape is advisable. There are three 3mm holes located along the back edge of the mount for attaching a rear cover if deemed necessary (personally, I prefer electronics that are not exposed). Regarding guide tubes, while the current setup appears somewhat disorganized, you can observe that I have also dispensed with the extruder top plate. The primary purpose of this heavy plate was to support guide tubes. Nevertheless, since they've been eliminated, its removal eliminates any potential drag caused by carriage motion pulling filament off the spool. A common concern is that removing guide tubes would lead to noticeable print defects. I have yet to witness such artifacts, but time and further testing will provide definitive results.