X Cable Chain for Ender 3 with Micro Swiss Direct Drive Kit

thingiverse

A set of cable chain attachments to provide an x-axis chain for an Ender 3 printer with the Micro Swiss direct drive extruder kit. The cable chain attachments are compatible with the johnniewhiskey cable chain (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2920060). The X-Z cable chain attachment links to the Z-chain and provides the starting attachment for the X-chain. The X-chain cable bracket attaches to the extruder stepper motor and anchors the X-chain. I designed a simple cable support bracket after having the extruder extension cable fail due to movement of the cable as the x-axis moved back and forth. The bracket seemed to work, as it kept the extruder cable from moving but I did not like the way that the cable moved. I decided it was time to see if I could reattach my x-axis cable chain. The bracket I used before installing the direct drive kit provided both z- and x-axis attachments. The x-axis attachment goes below the platform where the extruder stepper motor was attached and the attachment on the extruder would now hit the platform. I needed to raise the attachment, so I modified the x/z-axis bracket. The first photo shows the cable chain at the maximum x-position. The second photo shows the cable chain with the x-position at about halfway. The third photo shows the cable chain at the x-axis home position. The fourth photo shows the home position from a side view. The X-Z cable chain attachment is attached using the screws to hold the z-platform to the nut for the z-axis screw (see the side view photo). The z- and x-cable chains attach to this fixture. The X cable chain bracket clips over the extruder motor. It may be easier to install with the extruder cable removed. There are cable tie holes to secure the cables. There are tabs for a cable tie to hold the bracket in place but I have not found it necessary. Unfortunately, both brackets require supports to print properly (see notes below).