Wanhao i3 Maker Select Filament Guide and Riser v4

thingiverse

I tweaked the design by adding interlocking rings, inspired by item #1348253. This should fix my binding issue as you reach the top of the z-axis. Cheaper filament that's prone to brittleness often breaks at this point. So I copied the idea but adapted it to use just two rings. The filament passes through the central ball. I uploaded three additional versions: one without a ball bearing, featuring a larger opening; and two with a 4mm and 5mm hole for a PTFE tube. I also brought the arm closer to the center of the printer. There's no need to have it so far out since the head doesn't move on Y – the bed does. This change will reduce axis bend, particularly on Y, where the head moves on X, leaving that bend intact. I'm hoping the swivel mechanism will help alleviate this issue. A big print is underway, but I see no reason why this modification would cause problems. I'll test it tomorrow. As an added benefit, this design elevates the filament holder, allowing larger spools to fit. I've finally achieved a clean print after addressing my extruder stepper issue. The ball pivot works remarkably well now. I plan to create a v5 with a larger hole in the ball pivot for a PTFE tube and believe that'll be all it takes. I'm considering adding five holes to the arm to hold my allen keys, but I'm unsure if I want to mar its clean lines. It appears you need an M5 10mm bolt as the existing one is too short; I grabbed one from an assortment pack I had lying around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZqeD1ujKQ