Removable "Adapter-Printer" for MK3S  

Removable "Adapter-Printer" for MK3S

The MK3S uses a steel ball moving in a (slightly) loose socket to push a lever which interrupts an IR sensor. However, for those of us who used computer mice in the 1990's - which had a ball moving around in a slightly loose socket - we remember how dust and dirt could build up in the socket and interfere with correct motion of the ball.

Although most 3D printing filaments are reasonably clean, some do attract dust and lint, and when the filament passes through the socket with the steel ball in the new MK3S design, some dust and lint will be left behind in the socket. So it would be desirable to have a convenient and quick way to clean out the socket.

The problem is that the MK3S part called "Adapter-Printer" which holds the ball is not designed for easy servicing. In order to remove the part for cleaning, it's necessary to remove the top cover screw and then remove or loosen four more screws attaching the front of the Extruder body to the back. Much of this difficulty is due to a locating cone on the "Adapter-Printer" part. But that cone is not really necessary because when assembled the part is completely surrounded by, and fixed in position by, the front and back parts of the Extruder body.

I redesigned the part to eliminate the cone. I also gave it a "clearance curve" to allow it to be pried out of its "socket" from one end. And finally, I included a prying cavity sized for the small flat-bladed screwdriver that came with the MK3 kit. The revised part functions just as well as the original, and is removable by just removing a single screw. In other words, there's no reason not to use this revised part even if you don't think that dust accumulation is a problem for you. The STL file can be found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3550156