Filament Guide Block with Bearings (PC4 connector)

thingiverse

Initially, this was published as part of my <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5173908">X5SA PRO's overhead filament system</a>, but it works so well, I thought it deserved its own Thing. <hr> This filament guide allows low-friction dispensing at extreme angles (I consider 45deg to be extreme, at least in this case) incorporating a PC4 connector and a 20mm length of PTFE tubing as an internal guide. It is designed to be made on a resin printer. I found there was notable friction on the filament when the extruder travels to extremes of the print bed on my X5SA PRO, even when using PTFE tubing as the exit from the dry box. To remedy that. this guide block fits over the PC4-M6 fittings I use and has 1.8mm wide 682X bearings and uses M2.5 hardware for bearing shafts to allow the filament to bend in any direction. The block slides over a PC4 fitting and has a screw and captured nut setup to tighten the block down around the PC connector. The 20mm length of PTFE tubing keeps the filament from bending inside the block and grinding against the edge of the push-to-connect fitting. Do not overtighten the bearing shaft screws as they can pinch down on the bearings, preventing rotation. And yes, I do know there are loose screws as seen in the pictures provided.