Spring Drive Block Extruder for CTC Bizer (Replicator Clone) MK8 Remix for Makerbot Clone 3D Printers (FlashForge, Wanhao)

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Thing Status: Proven/Stable I've been using this drive block for some time now, and have installed it on a few other CTC's without any problems. But then again, it was a tried and proven base model before I started messing with it... I did however have a couple of quarrels with the MK8 Spring Block and edge of the heatbreak shaving off filament on my CTC because it wasn't properly aligned . This lead to my prints being sprinkled with filament shavings and a loaded drive gear after a few hours. To solve this I moved the location to perfectly line up with the aluminium block on the CTC and added an extra just to make life easier. With the slot in the lever you can quickly see if your extruder gear is packed full, and also allow you to blow it free with compressed air during a print. Normally this should not be necessary, but if for any reason... On the bottom of the block I also added a side gantry that might help to better cool the filament and drive gear, but it definitely gives an escape for any shavings to go when you clear the drive without having to remove the extruder. The lever has also been reinforced and some material transfered over from the cover (making it possible to print without needing a solid infill) as well as centered the v-groove bearing that was somewhat out of alignment. Files are uploaded in both STL for direct printing and STP if you see the need to modify it. You can also simply download CTC_Drive_Block_Complete_LR.thing to just get to printing! Print Settings Printer: CTC Bizer (Replicator Clone) Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2 mm Infill: 30 Notes: Print with 2 shells and at minimum use ABS | Roof and floor height - 1mm | Layer height - 0.2mm | 30% infill with a linear pattern (layer height for layer strength, and a linear infill pattern is both stronger than hex and also saves your printer from unnecessary jolting) --> See: http://my3dmatter.com/influence-infill-layer-height-pattern/ To help aid the cooling of the filament (very important when printing dual extrusion models), drill a few holes at the back of the heatsink as shown here: http://www.newmansworld.de/bilder/3D/CTC%20(13).JPG On a side note: This website is in German (For those who don't do German, open the page in Chrome and scroll all the way down, there you can select a language with Google Translate), but it shows a pretty good list of things to do for your CTC http://www.newmansworld.de/3d-druck/tuning.html Post-Printing Assembly You may need to take a 6mm drillbit and shave off some material in the recess on the lever where it pivots on the screw. You want the screw to just bottom out and leave the movement of the lever to be "snappy" when you let go without any lateral wiggle. Resistance in the lever movement prevents the tensioner from properly gripping the filament! You will also need to flip the drive gear so the filament doesn't run across the set screw. Parts list: M3 x 18mm Flat Head Cap Countersunk Hex Screw (the screws that mount the stock CTC drive blocks are 18mm) M3 x 8mm Flat Head Cap Countersunk Hex Screw M3 x 6mm Flat Head Cap Countersunk Hex Screw Compression Spring (7,5mm OD x 35,8 L) 32lbs/in spring ratehttps://www.hornbach.de/shop/Druckfeder-galv-verzinkt-7-5x35-8x0-7-mm-100-Stueck/7915842/artikel.html I cut the spring to about 26mm, but also tried it at the full length - both worked, so your choice. Reuse the v-groove ball bearing that came with your static CTC drive block. If you need another v-groove bearing, it's a 3x12x4mm like this one:https://shop.stoutwind.de/Radialkugellager-mit-V-Nutprofil-V623-2Z-R3-x-R12-x-4-mm How I Designed This Source of original design I took the STL files from the Spring-Loaded Replicator 1 Drive Block (Thing:62510) and modified them using Fusion 360.