Reverse Bowden for Prusa i3

thingiverse

Here's a reverse-Bowden setup for the Prusa i3 MK2 and MK3.\r\n\r\nIt's called "reverse-Bowden" because the extruder pulls filament through a PTFE tube into the hot-end instead of pushing it. \r\n\r\nThere are several advantages to using a reverse-Bowden setup for the Prusa i3. It allows you to remove the heavy filament spool from the frame. Travel movements of the print head no longer cause the filament to un-spool (a major problem with PETG.)\r\n\r\nIn this design, retraction is unaffected. The PTFE tube sits on top of the extruder and lifts up during retractions instead of pushing the filament back up the tube. This eliminates one less potential issue.\r\n\r\nNote that I've taken Area51's clip design (see http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1940105) and modified it to fit my needs in OpenSCAD for easy integration into projects that mount on the Prusa's frame. The original design is his, but I've made it easier to use. This clip-mount makes for quick-on and quick-off with no risk of breaking off the ends when attaching or removing it (like the original Prusa spool holder "clip".)\r\n\r\nIf you're interested, check out the design for the spool holder (pictured) here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2618257. It surprisingly works well despite not being connected on both sides. Just drop a spool onto it and wiggle the spool - the two sides will line up easily.