Anet A8 modification for filament loader

thingiverse

I made this modification because changing filament is a real pain. If you don't have any issues, you won't need this mod at all. Check it out in action: https://youtu.be/wS0gAGX58vc. In this mod, the cooling fan is a separate block and can be opened for better visibility to the extruder while changing or to get easier access if anything gets jammed. The mechanism isn't perfect yet... All the parts have tolerances that mean you'll need to align your system once and then fix it. UPDATE Cover design 20.01.2017 (New update! But you can still use the old parts before this update.) I made this update for better cooling. For this solution, the position of the heatsink is specified, but then you'll have to cut your heatsink after the fourth rib (see picture). The size of the heatsink is enough to cool the bottom block. You can add thermal paste too. I did a 5-hour print - the block was almost cold! Fix the motor and heatsink with two screws in the bottom left/right hole. Fix the cooler block assembly. It's even possible to fix the block by four screws. For the clamping screw, I used an M3x25 screw, a washer, and two nuts. Additionally, you can use a spring from a standard pen. That's it, and if you want to cool the heatsink more efficiently, you can add two holes on the long top rib or turn the heatsink by 180 degrees. That makes handling the whole thing easier. If you have any doubts, let me know. Enjoy Bill of materials 2x M3x20 (heat sink) 3x M3x25 4x M4 nuts 1x M3 self-locking nut for the hinge (if available) 1x M3x40 (hinge) 2x M4x15 (20) 1x M3 washer 1x Spring from a ball pen Print settings Printer: Anet A8 Rafts: Doesn't matter Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2 Infill: 75%