Ender 2 Pro Cable Drag Chain Support Kit

Introduction

This collection of brackets was created for the Ender 2 Pro and facilitates drag chain installation. The chain protects the cable bundles connects the base to the bed and extruder. Subtle-looking brackets match the colour of the existing knobs while being strong enough to withstand normal printer use. A neat set of cable chains is aesthetically pleasing, takes less than 10 mins to install and cheap.

Please consult the notes before installing!

Features

• Uses 20x10mm (Inner Width) Cable Chain / Drag Chain. Printed chain could work.
• Brackets include cutouts for 2.5mm cable tie / zip ties to secure cable bundles.
• Kit includes brackets for Y and Z axes (heat bed and Z carriage)
• Cable routing fits beneath the machine without requiring spacers for the feet.
• Bottom brackets reuses the old brackets' screws.

Bill of Materials

• 1m (3ft) cable chain ("HTTL 16.20" pictured)
• To print: Two bottom brackets, one heat bed bracket, one top most bracket

Installation Instructions

Tools:  A set of Allen Keys, , Phillips Screwdrivers, Stanley/carpet knife or box cutter/scalpel, 

1. Install heat bed bracket by remove the four bed-levelling wheels, lifting the heat bed and replacing the old bracket.
2. Install the top most bracket by simply clipping into place.
3. Turn the machine over, replace both lower brackets.
4. Open the controller compartment by removing the screws. There are two screws beneath the rubber feet.
5. The control board and connections are relatively well labeled but I'd recommend taking your own pictures as a back up before removing any connections. Take care if any connections are glued on: you don't want the female connector coming off with the cable. If it does happen you can usually just press it back onto the board. Use the knife to remove enough glue to loosen the connectors for the heat bed.
6. Route the cables through a selected section of cable chain - note which side of the cable chain is male/female to ensure it matches the bracket.
7. Attach the heat bed cable chain to the top and bottom brackets.
8. Reconnect the connectors to the board test travel of the carriage by moving it manually. There should be no strain on the cables or connector.
9. The process for the Z-carriage is the same. Remove the connectors from the control board and route the cable bundle through the second piece of cable chain.
10. Attach the cable chain to both brackets and attach the connectors to the board.
11. Test the z-axis travel.
12. Close the compartment - done.

Notes

• It's necessary to open the machine and to remove cable connections from the terminals to reroute it through the cable chain - consider this before starting.
• Some cables (e.g. X-axis motor) are barely long enough to reach the control board. It might be necessary to resize the cable chain to allow it to reach and then checking the travel of the carriage to ensure it doesn't strain any cables.
• The shown machine has a direct drive extruder - it doesn't make any difference to this build as the top most bracket clears the extruder motor.

Suggested Print Settings

Infill 15%, Support touching build bed only, See part orientation below

Conclusion

Leave a like or comment if you like, any questions or critique are also welcome.

Changelog

2024/02/24 - Release