Ender 3 lower filament guide for 604 bearing

This filament guide for the Ender 3 is designed to guide filament coming from below the extruder, to reduce friction on the filament and wear on the extruder, and to provide a stop to keep a filament filter from hitting the Z-axis lead screw. It is designed to be installed after replacing the stock extruder with an aluminum one (since they're inexpensive, and the plastic ones are prone to breaking).

This is a remix of a remix of a remix. The original design was made by Holspeed, TechnoSwiss's remix changed it to use a 604UU bearing (the one that comes with the original Ender 3 feeder assembly), and sebastiandmeier's remix added room for washers and a captive hex nut.

I made the following changes:

• Repositioned it to guide filament coming from below, not above (since mounting heavy filament to the top of the printer isn't great for stability).
• Moved the bearing away from the Z-axis to align it better with the MK8 aluminum extruder and keep the filament away from the lead screw.
• Loosened tolerances on hex nut and bearing, for ease of assembly.
• Recessed bolt head, allowing room for a washer or lock washer.
• Removed unneeded material.

You will need the following parts:

• 1 4×13×4mm 604UU groove ball bearing (such as the one in the original Ender 3 feeder assembly).
• 3 M4 washers (one on either side of the bearing, and a third optional one under the screw head)
• 1 M4 nut
• 1 M4x14 screw (or longer)

Helpful links:

• Filament filter
• Holspeed's original design
• TechnoSwiss's remix
• Sebastiandmeier's remix

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Creality

Printer: 

Ender 3 Pro

Rafts:

No

Supports: 

No

Resolution:

0.15

Infill: 

20% Zig-Zag

Filament: SainSmart PRO-3 Series PLA Black 

Post-Printing

After printing, press a M4 hex nut into the appropriate hole.

Press the 604UU bearing into the housing with a washer on either side (it will be a somewhat tight fit).

Secure bearing in place with a 14mm-long M4 screw. The countersink is designed for a rounded-head screw with a washer -- if you use a cap screw it will work but stick out slightly. I recommend using a washer under the screw head to avoid deforming the plastic.

Press the part onto the X-axis motor bracket until the roller shaft is all the way back into the slot. It may take a bit of force to get it all the way on.

Category: 3D Printer Accessories