Printable cable chain link

thingiverse

This is based on thing:1078216 which was "not optimized for printing". This has been modified fairly extensively to make it easily printable: thicker walls to give it the correct strength, tweaking the gaps to make it sturdy but flexible, slight adjustments to the slopes and orientation so it would not need supports, etc. This version of it prints satisfactorily without supports or rafts on my TAZ: the links are ready to snap together as soon as they have cooled. Once attached they rotate freely from about 90° to -30° and only come apart with deliberate effort. Unfortunately, I am not currently familiar with OpenSCAD, so it is no longer parametric, but if someone requests a parametric version, I am willing to attempt it. This is sized to be used as the cable chain for the Y axis (bed heater) cable on my Lulzbot TAZ 1, inspired by thing:1145951. I used 14 links on my printer, but I think it can work with anything between 12 and 16. The inner diameter isn't quite large enough to pass the cables with the connector attached, so I had to disconnect at the control board. I have also made anchors that connect this chain directly to the frame and bed. Print Settings Printer Brand: LulzBot Printer: TAZ 1 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.3mm Infill: 100% Notes: 0.35mm nozzle All the walls are thin enough that it should almost entirely consist of perimeter walls, so infill should not matter. With this nozzle the walls are mostly 5 layers thick.