MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder  

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

Do you have problems with the filament being difficult to pull through the PTFE? I had a feeder box with PTFE (about 12") down to the printer and it was very difficult to pull the filament. I ended up removing it because I didn't want to put more strain on my extruder motor.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

I did'nt use PTFE (Teflon) tubing because I had none. I used Polyurethane tubing and it pulls thru just fine.

The above picture shows a spool of Matter Hackers Lime Green PLA.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

When I UNLOAD the filament I find that I have to pull snugly on the filament or it gets jammed in or above the gears. I would think it would be harder to remove the filament with that setup.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

It's easy to either load and remove the filament just by pulling off the extruder top tube and adapter to expose 3 to 4 inches of filament and then do what you would normally do to load or unload. Then replace the tube and adapter back onto the extruder top. No magic involved here....

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

Thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2855594

I was unhappy with the spool jiggling the frame and nozzle height during printing so I finally finished my spool Bowden tube adapter. I found the spool holder out on Thingiverse and modified the LH TOP Z-axis bracket to incorporate the tube holder and adapter(A). I used a section of what I believe to be Polyurethane tubing 1/4 inch O.D. - .160" I.D. (leftover from a RO drinking water filter install, McMaster Carr 5648K25) which seems to be slippery enough for the filament to slide thru or get some larger I.D. Bowden tubing. I designed another adapter(B) for the top of the extruder to hold the tubing that is a easy slip fit so it can be pulled off to load or unload the filament. Very happy with the operation.

The bracket was designed and integrated with the Prusa MK3 LH Z axis top mount.

I assembled this great spool roller https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1185076 using #4 x 3/8" Philips head sheet metal screws --- perfect! and available at the local hardware. I also used the 8mm I.D. 608 series skateboard bearings that were SEALED so as to provide a tiny bit of rolling resistance at the spool --- perfect!

Hi Bigdogbro1,

Nice setup. Any chance of you printing is a single wall cube with no infill? Curious if your machine still has the artifact shown here: https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/issues/602#issuecomment-381268213

To see this, you'll need to take a pic with light shining down from above the print.

Thanks if you can!

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

Thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2855594

I was unhappy with the spool jiggling the frame and nozzle height during printing so I finally finished my spool Bowden tube adapter. I found the spool holder out on Thingiverse and modified the LH TOP Z-axis bracket to incorporate the tube holder and adapter(A). I used a section of what I believe to be Polyurethane tubing 1/4 inch O.D. - .160" I.D. (leftover from a RO drinking water filter install, McMaster Carr 5648K25) which seems to be slippery enough for the filament to slide thru or get some larger I.D. Bowden tubing. I designed another adapter(B) for the top of the extruder to hold the tubing that is a easy slip fit so it can be pulled off to load or unload the filament. Very happy with the operation.

The bracket was designed and integrated with the Prusa MK3 LH Z axis top mount.

I assembled this great spool roller https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1185076 using #4 x 3/8" Philips head sheet metal screws --- perfect! and available at the local hardware. I also used the 8mm I.D. 608 series skateboard bearings that were SEALED so as to provide a tiny bit of rolling resistance at the spool --- perfect!

Hi Bigdogbro1,

Nice setup. Any chance of you printing is a single wall cube with no infill? Curious if your machine still has the artifact shown here: https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/issues/602#issuecomment-381268213

To see this, you'll need to take a pic with light shining down from above the print.

Thanks if you can!

If it helps I’ve been using this ... https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2750767

And a spool holder with bearings, there’s very little resistance to pull filament.

I just printed a single wall cube on the latest 3.2 RC and it’s no different really I have to say.

I have a new motor and hot end to try out and some high quality Skf bearings, when I get all the stuff I’m going to fit it all while the machine is in bits. Something I noticed was the number on the stepper was different to the one now, looking online at pictures they all seem to be different so I’m assuming it’s a serial number rather than part number

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

The setup I have works well for me and prefer having the filament supported in the tube.

If I find it causes problems I will switch to a different setup. Waiting for Prusa to fix their MK3 firmware first.

Running 3.1.1-201 as received mid February. I installed three Misumi linear bearings on the bed and all others are Prusa supplied.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

The setup I have works well for me and prefer having the filament supported in the tube.

If I find it causes problems I will switch to a different setup. Waiting for Prusa to fix their MK3 firmware first.

Running 3.1.1-201 as received mid February. I installed three Misumi linear bearings on the bed and all others are Prusa supplied.

I’d be well happy with that print, I’m
Might give that firmware a go see what happens

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

That was printed today on my mk3 using marlin firmware, it does seem a bit better when you compare the two side by side but no where you'd expect it to be still.

I only quickly set it all up and roughly done E estep value. I'm sort off assuming that maybe the problem inst firmware related as it wasn't a hard and fast fix to the issue.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

The setup I have works well for me and prefer having the filament supported in the tube.

If I find it causes problems I will switch to a different setup. Waiting for Prusa to fix their MK3 firmware first.

Running 3.1.1-201 as received mid February. I installed three Misumi linear bearings on the bed and all others are Prusa supplied.

would you mind posting that firmware please, I can see to find it, only the RC5 of the 3.1.1

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

I can post it but I'm not sure how to pull it from the MK3 to a PC file.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

I can post it but I'm not sure how to pull it from the MK3 to the PC file.

do you still have the .hex file?

it doesn't matter if not

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

Hex file? The MK3 kit came loaded with this firmware and I have no hex file, sorry.

Your single wall cube looks pretty good. Very similar to mine in just the right light angle. Once the firmware gets cleaned up and refined I hope the MK3 keeps producing good quality prints.

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

The setup I have works well for me and prefer having the filament supported in the tube.

If I find it causes problems I will switch to a different setup. Waiting for Prusa to fix their MK3 firmware first.

Running 3.1.1-201 as received mid February. I installed three Misumi linear bearings on the bed and all others are Prusa supplied.

would you mind posting that firmware please, I can see to find it, only the RC5 of the 3.1.1

Take a look on Github all versions are available there including the 3.1.1-201.

https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/releases

Re: MK3 Filament spool bowden tube feeder

Thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2855594

I was unhappy with the spool jiggling the frame and nozzle height during printing so I finally finished my spool Bowden tube adapter. I found the spool holder out on Thingiverse and modified the LH TOP Z-axis bracket to incorporate the tube holder and adapter(A). I used a section of what I believe to be Polyurethane tubing 1/4 inch O.D. - .160" I.D. (leftover from a RO drinking water filter install, McMaster Carr 5648K25) which seems to be slippery enough for the filament to slide thru or get some larger I.D. Bowden tubing. I designed another adapter(B) for the top of the extruder to hold the tubing that is a easy slip fit so it can be pulled off to load or unload the filament. Very happy with the operation.

The bracket was designed and integrated with the Prusa MK3 LH Z axis top mount.

I assembled this great spool roller https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1185076 using #4 x 3/8" Philips head sheet metal screws --- perfect! and available at the local hardware. I also used the 8mm I.D. 608 series skateboard bearings that were SEALED so as to provide a tiny bit of rolling resistance at the spool --- perfect!

Nice work!