Voron Nitehawk SB: Complete Umbilical Mounting & Routing System— Voron3tz

09 Jul 2026: Added Gantry_Spine_Anchor_Body_Short.stl — a shortened version of the gantry anchor. This is the version I run on my own machine. Added based on community feedback.

Update 26-05-2026: Galileo 2 (G2E) Adapter

Two new parts let you use the spine system with the LDO Galileo 2 extruder. Skip if you have CW2.

• Bracket — replaces the stock cable_chain STL from the Galileo 2 GitHub project. Holds an optional Creality NTC 100K chamber thermistor.

• Clamp — anchors the PTFE spine (single or double wire variant), clamps the umbilical.

Hardware: long M3 screw from the LDO kit (reuse) + 2× M3×12 + 2× M3×5×4 inserts in the Bracket + 1× M2×6 set screw (locks the PTFE, threads into plastic).

Assembly Guide

Prepare the Clamp's spine channel. Pass the 2mm drill bit from the LDO Galileo 2E kit through the spine hole in the Clamp. This clears any print debris and ensures the PTFE tube slides in easily.

Install the 2× M3×5×4 heat-set inserts into the Bracket (one per side).

Mount the Bracket onto the Galileo 2 body using the long M3 screw from the LDO kit (the same one that originally held the stock cable_chain).

(Optional) Install the chamber thermistor into the side channel of the Bracket, with the glass bead lightly exposed near the M2 screw position. Handle gently — the bead is fragile and breaks easily under pressure. The thermistor wire goes straight to the Chamber Thermistor connector on the NHK SB — routed either in front of or behind the board.B.

Insert the PTFE+music wire spine into the Clamp channel. Tighten the M2×6 set screw lightly to lock the spine in the Clamp. Do not overtighten — PTFE deforms easily and little force is enough to lock the spine in place.

Bolt the Clamp onto the Bracket with the 2× M3×12 SHCS over the umbilical cable, leaving exposed just enough to route the cable into the Nitehawk connector.

Update 14-03-2026: Project story added as PDF

All design work, prototyping, testing, and iteration on this project are mine. The PDF documentary was written and formatted by Claude (Anthropic) based on our engineering discussions during the build process. I provided the technical details, design decisions, and real-world test results — Claude organized them into a structured document with diagrams.

The designs, STL files, and all CAD work remain 100% my own.

Update 03-05-2026

G-code travel test to visualize umbilical and PTFE tube behavior relative to the B motor Z belt at various Z heights. Here you can follow the interference zones at several heights.

Top hat recommendation: Above approximately 250mm Z height, vertical clearance becomes tight for both the umbilical and PTFE tube. A top hat (frame height extension) is strongly recommended if you regularly print at or above this height.

Update 03-03-2026

Alternative Spine: PTFE Tube + Music Wire

After testing the original filament-based spine, I experimented with a more rigid alternative using 2mm OD PTFE tubing with steel music wire inserts.

Setup:

• 2mm OD PTFE tube (Amazon) — replaces the 1.75mm filament strands

• 0.51mm (.020") music wire — K&S Precision Metals #499 — two wires per tube

What changed:

• Spine Link Clips required slightly enlarged holes to fit the 2mm PTFE tube

• Updated clip file included (Spine_Link_Clip_PTFE(2mm).stl)

Result: A noticeably more rigid arc that holds its shape well. Note that for maximizing Z height without a top hat, a softer spine (original filament) actually works better — it allows the loop to flatten more naturally. The stiffer PTFE + wire option is better suited for users who want a tighter, more controlled cable path.

This is an alternative, not a replacement. Between filament type (PC, ABS), PTFE tube, single or double wire, and different wire gauges, there are now many combinations to match your specific setup and priorities.

Alternative: Single Wire Guide

Instead of two rigid filament strands, you can use a single 0.51mm music wire (spring steel) inside a 2mm OD / 1mm ID PTFE tube. This creates a lighter, lower-profile arc that naturally stays flat — reducing the chance of the umbilical rubbing against the top panel. Currently, this is my preferred method. 

Use the Spine_Link_Clip_PTFE_Single(2mm) clip variant for this setup. Same Gantry Anchor and Motor Plate Mount, same installation — just swap the filament strands for the wire + tube combo.

What This Does

A modular system that mounts the Nitehawk SB toolhead board, routes the umbilical cable cleanly through the enclosure, and secures all motor/endstop connectors. No cable chains needed for the first loop — rigid filament strands create a self-supporting arc from toolhead to gantry.

Cable Path: Toolhead → Spine System → Gantry → Z-Chain → Deck → Electronics

System Components

1. Toolhead Mount (Choose One)

2. Spine System (Toolhead → Gantry)

Uses two strands of rigid 1.75mm filament (PC or ABS) to create a self-supporting cable bridge. Spine Link Clips hold the filament strands together and lightly grip the umbilical cable on top.

The Spine System consists of three assemblies:

Toolhead Assembly (Motor Plate Mount):

• Mount Body — choose your tilt angle: Vertical, 10° back tilt (recommended), 15° back tilt, or 10° back + 5° left

• Clamp Cover

• Umbilical Strain Relief TPU

Gantry Assembly (Spine Anchor):

• Gantry Spine Anchor Body

• Clamp Cover (same part as toolhead)

• Umbilical Strain Relief TPU (same part as toolhead — print an extra set)

Bridge (between Toolhead and Gantry):

• ~2m of 1.75mm rigid filament (PC or ABS) — two strands

• Spine Link Clips (6 recommended) — hold the filament strands together and support the umbilical cable

3. Z-Chain Mount (Gantry → Deck)

Routes the cable vertically from gantry down to deck using the original Voron X/Y cable chain (repurposed — the wider Z-chain is not needed since the umbilical attaches to the outside of the chain via Chain Clips). Gantry Mount and Deck Mount anchor the chain at the top and bottom of the vertical loop.

Components: Gantry Mount + Deck Mount + Chain Clips (V2 adds chamfer for easier cable insertion)

Below deck: Use the Deck Seal with Umbilical Clip to guide the cable through the deck to electronics.

4. Motor & Endstop Strain Relief

Secures motor connectors and Y-endstop to prevent vibration-loosening during high-speed printing.

Components:

• A-Motor Bracket — docks with Y-Endstop, locks connector in place when screwed together

• B-Motor Bracket — slides against motor mount which acts as a physical wall to prevent disconnect

• Y-Endstop Dock — houses micro-switch, pairs with A-Motor Bracket

A-Motor & Y-Endstop Installation (Dock & Slide):

1. Mount the micro-switch into the Y-Endstop Dock using M2 screws

2. Slide the A-Motor cable connector into the A-Motor Bracket

3. Fasten the Bracket to the Dock with a screw — once tightened, the Dock's geometry physically prevents the connector from sliding back out

4. Orient with the connector's lock tab facing you for tool-less disconnection during maintenance

B-Motor Installation (Lateral Lock):

1. Mount the B-Motor Bracket onto the 2020 extrusion

2. Insert the connector and slide the assembly sideways until flush against the B-motor mount

3. The motor mount acts as a physical wall, preventing the connector from sliding out during operation

File Organization

Folder: Motor Plate Mount (5 files — Toolhead Assembly)

• SB_Umbilical_Mount_Body_Vertical.stl

• SB_Umbilical_Mount_Body_10deg back tilt.stl ⭐ (recommended)

• SB_Umbilical_Mount_Body_15deg back tilt.stl

• Clamp_Cover.stl

• Umbilical_Strain_Relief_TPU.stl

Folder: Spine System (2 files — Gantry Assembly + Bridge)

• Gantry_Spine_Anchor_Body.stl

• Spine_Link_Clip.stl (print 6×)

• (Print an extra Clamp_Cover + Umbilical_Strain_Relief_TPU from the Motor Plate Mount folder for the gantry side)

Folder: Z-Chain Mount System (NEW) (4 files)

• Gantry Mount.stl

• Deck Mount.stl

• Chain Clip.stl

• Chain Clip V2.stl (adds chamfer for easier cable insertion)

Folder: Motor & Endstop Strain Relief (5 files)

• Strain_Relief_Y_Endstop_Dock.stl

• Strain_Relief_A_Motor_Bracket.stl

• Strain_Relief_A_Motor_Bracket_(Logo).stl

• Strain_Relief_B_Motor_Bracket.stl

• Strain_Relief_B_Motor_Bracket_(Logo).stl

Folder: Door Mount (Legacy) (10 files — STL + STEP)

• Nitehawk_SB_Main_Body_ASA.stl

• Nitehawk_SB_Main_Body_10deg_Tilt.stl

• Cable_Clamp_Cap_ASA.stl

• Cable_Clamp_Cap_10deg_Tilt.stl

• Strain_Relief_Sleeve_Split_TPU.stl

• (+ corresponding .step files)

Printing & Hardware

Print Settings:

• Rigid parts (bodies, brackets): ABS/ASA — 4 perimeters, 40% infill

• Flexible parts (sleeves): TPU 95A — 100% infill

Hardware:

• M3×5×4 heat-set inserts (4× per mount point)

• M3 SHCS screws (14–20mm)

• ~2m of 1.75mm rigid filament — PC or ABS (for Spine)

• Original Voron X/Y cable chain, repurposed for vertical routing — may need extra links (for Z-Chain)

Assembly (Full System)

Spine System setup, umbilical routing, full range of motion, and interference testing.

1. Install Motor Plate Mount on toolhead

2. Install Spine Anchor at rear gantry

3. Thread rigid filament strands through several Spine Link Clips (6 recommended) to form the spine

4. Insert the spine ends through the TPU Strain Relief sleeves (Umbilical_Strain_Relief_TPU) at both toolhead and gantry

5. Lay the umbilical cable on top of the Spine Link Clips — the clips lightly grip the cable, holding it in place during operation but allowing easy removal without disturbing the spine

6. Zip ties at the strain relief shoulders are optional — without them, the umbilical cable and filament strands can each be replaced independently and without tools

7. Install Gantry Mount on rear gantry extrusion (upper Z-chain anchor)

8. Install Deck Mount on rear extrusion at deck level (lower anchor)

9. Connect cable chain between Gantry and Deck mounts, install Chain Clips

10. Route cable through deck center hole to electronics

11. Install Strain Relief brackets on A/B motors and Y-endstop

12. Test full X/Y/Z range of motion

Other Mods on This Build

• LED Strip Slide-In Mount for 2020 Profile

• Rear Panel Seal: Filament Passthrough & Motor Seal

• Z-Belt Covers: Extended Belt Guard & LED Routing

• X Endstop Mod for UltraLight Beam + Tap2

• Deck Seal with Umbilical Clip

• Panel Glide System

Design Notes

• Motor Plate Mount may require removing stiff heatshrink near the Nitehawk connector

• All components designed for easy cable removal and service

• Modular — use only the parts you need

• Z-Chain concept inspired by Richard M's Voron CAN bus Z-chain

Change Log

• 14 Mar 2026: Project story added

• 03 Mar 2026: Added Single Wire Guide option and PTFE clip variants (single and dual) for music wire and PTFE tube routing

• 01 Mar 2026: Complete description rewrite — project is fully tested and documented

• 10 Feb 2026: Added Motor & Endstop Strain Relief system

• 08 Feb 2026: Chain Clip V2 (chamfer for cable clearance)

• 07 Feb 2026: Added Z-Chain Mount System

• 01 Feb 2026: Modular update — Spine System + Gantry Anchor

• 30 Jan 2026: Added Motor Plate Mount

• 27 Jan 2026: Initial release (Door Mount)

About Voron3tz

Voron3tz is a collection of open-source mods designed, printed, and tested on a Voron 2.4 350mm LDO build. Every mod comes with STEP files so you can adapt them to your own setup.

Why Voron3tz? Voron + 3D = Voroneț, a 500-year-old painted monastery in Romania with a blue pigment that somehow still hasn't faded. If the paint can survive five centuries of Bucovina weather, ASA parts can probably handle a heated chamber. Probably.

If something doesn't fit right, could work better, or you just want to share your build — drop a comment or a make. Feedback is what keeps these projects improving.

More Voron3tz mods:

• Panel Glide System — TPU rail system for tool-free panel removal

• Voron 2.4/Trident LDO Deck Seal with Umbilical Clip — TPU deck seal with panel support and umbilical routing

• Carbon Filter System — External filter with tool-free cartridge replacement and return air duct

• Nozzle Camera Quick-Release Mount — Magnetic mount for Stealthburner

• CW2 Cover for Nitehawk-SB — Dual fan support with Noctua/Wathai options

• LED Strip Slide-In Mount — 30° and 45° variants for 2020 extrusion

• TPU Rear Panel Seal — Filament passthrough with PTFE channel

• The Equalizer Belt Tension Tool — Mechanical belt tension comparator