January 2, 2023
Description
EDIT 1/1/2023: After using the slip-fit housing for a while, I began to get annoyed at how easily a slightly kinked filament would push the Bowden tube out of the housing. I did some looking and found DenialE's Bowden coupler, meant for the Ender 3 Plus extruder. I modified my housing to accept that coupler, renamed as “Bowden Collet” in my files below, and it retains the tube fine. I'm using a standard blue clip that came with the original Creality extruder to secure it. The original coupler is here:
https://www.printables.com/model/106083-ender-3-max-extruder-bowden-coupler
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:
After converting my Ender 5 Plus to direct drive (using the Micro Swiss kit) I found the process of loading filament annoying. I added a knob to the extruder:
https://www.printables.com/model/233922-knob-for-micro-swiss-direct-drive-extruder
which helped, but the jump from the stock filament runout sensor was still annoying so I created an upgrade “shell” to allow connecting the Bowden tube directly to the runout sensor; this shell also has a funnel-shaped inlet at the bottom, making the blind insertion of filament much easier. That part is here:
https://www.printables.com/model/216518-filament-runout-sensor-upgrade
Occasionally, though, the filament still gets hung up inside the runout sensor housing, especially when filament is stiff and somewhat curled. I decided what I really needed to do was to replace the stock housing of the runout sensor, rather than put a shell around it.
So then I found PSD's Creality Filament Run Out Sensor Replacement Housing here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4840676
It's designed for a resin printer, so it needed some redesign, and during that process I added a funnel-shaped inlet and a Bowden clamp. It has no places inside which should be able to snag the filament, thus solving all my problems at once.
HOWEVER, the clamp turns out to be a bad idea. It's too easy to overtighten it and deform the PTFE tube into a “pinch point.” I've subsequently removed the clamp version and replaced it with a model with a 4mm hole for a Bowden tube; it's a snug “slip fit” for me but your mileage may vary.
I'm posting both the Bowden fitting housing and a “plain” one (for those using the standard Creality Bowden extruder) as well as a mounting plate for whoever might need it. The housing is completely compatible with the standard mounting plate and hardware.
License:
Creative Commons — Attribution
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