Wanhao i3 Extruder Upgrade

thingiverse

Drive block and adjustable tension lever designed for Wanhao Duplicator i3 v2.1 printers and similar models. Even printing with flexible filament using existing drive blocks was always a frustrating process due to loading issues. This custom drive block is engineered to firmly secure the filament from the loading point onwards, making it impossible for the filament to escape. The design aims to simplify the filament loading process significantly. A redesigned lever was necessary to ensure compatibility with the new drive block components. This redesign allowed for improved part fitment and functionality. The inspiration behind this project came from existing designs (refer to Remix source files), which served as a starting point for a complete overhaul of the design, resulting in entirely new parts (base and lever). The nub file used is not original; it was sourced directly from thing:1516255 by dumbcomputers. UPDATE 2018-03-07 A new lever variant, extarm3_v4, has been created. Adjustments were made to the lever's design to reduce pressure on the filament and extruder gear. This updated version allows for a higher nub placement within the lever. However, it remains untested at this time. UPDATE 2018-10-17 Following reports of the lever breaking (as noted in comments), a reinforced version (extarm5) has been uploaded as an alternative.