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Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 9:35 am
by mvansomeren
I know that I've seen a tread on this before where someone printed something to prevent the bowden tube from getting caught behind the joint where the arms connect to the Cheapskate. I searched with various key words but I couldn't find the thread.

It happened to me for the first time last night. I was nearing the finish of a 4 hour print that pretty much covers the entire print bed when the mesh covering the bowden tube was impaled by the rod that feeds through the joint where the arms connect to the Cheapskate on the Z tower. It got stuck and caused the printer to start printing in the air, ruining the print.

I remember seeing a thread a few months or so ago about someone who experienced a similar problem and printed something that mounts on the Cheapskate and keeps the bowden tube from getting hung up. If anyone has a link to that thread, or if the person who printed that protective piece could provide a link to the .stl, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Marcel

Re: Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 9:52 am
by JFettig
I had something that helped, I designed it to replace one of the spacers that the extruder motor was on, it guided the tube. What worked as well was to set up the bias in the tube to prevent it. Now with top mount extruders, I have a rubber band holding it up and between the two towers. Might have to get creative. Its one thing I really dislike about deltas but it can be worked around.

Re: Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 11:45 am
by mvansomeren
Thanks.

I'm thinking of a metal strip mounted to the Cheapskate and bent around the front to deflect the bowden tube and keep it from getting stuck but would rather print something if it's available.

Re: Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 2:23 pm
by Batteau62
I've used retractable ID card reels since day one to control the bowden and the wiring harness.

Re: Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 7:35 pm
by mvansomeren
Here's what I ended up adding to prevent the Bowden and wiring harness from getting stuck behind or impaled on the joint:

[img]http://sosandtrappers.com/upload/fix.jpg[/img]

I'm redoing the print now so I will know within the next 4 hours if this works. ;)

Re: Bowden tube/Mesh gets stuck on Cheapskate...

Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 11:57 am
by mvansomeren
UPDATE:

The print was successful and the addition of the metal tab prevented the bowden tube/mash wire harness from getting stuck behind the joint or getting impaled on it. I can now print with confidence on large prints where the movement of the effector causes the bowden tube/wire harness to come in contact with the Cheapskate (on the Z tower for my printer).