CNC machines like 3D printers all need cable chain (aka drag chain). There’s always some wire that has to be loose so it can connect to things that are in motion. Loose cable could catch on something and is an accident waiting to happen. Cable chain only bends one way. It can keep those wires out of danger by making them only move in a safe zone. Here’s how I did mine, with video of it in action.

A photo posted by Dan Royer (@imakerobots) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:55pm PST

Why not just buy some?

First, cable chain is a must have. I installed the chain on the Y axis of my printer because that cable was either going to get caught on something or flex too much in one place and break. Here’s the old cable, for comparison.

A photo posted by Dan Royer (@imakerobots) on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:59pm PST

Second, cable chain is a great test print for your new printer. It has islands, bridges, small overhangs, solid infills, and straight walls. All of these features can be tricky for a poorly tuned printer.

Third, who wants to wait for delivery? I want to print right now! Since I have to calibrate my new printer anyways, I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

Printing

I searched thingiverse for ‘cable chain’ and found i3 Cable Chain Mounts. At 25% infill, printed…

Assembly

The hardest piece to install was y-cablesupport.stl. It replaces the existing cable support under the bed.

A photo posted by Dan Royer (@imakerobots) on Dec 12, 2014 at 1:20pm PST

I had to remove the bed completely to get the job done right. I was very careful to put it on the right way around – I didn’t want to do it twice! Slow is fast, people.

The chain pieces snapped together. It is a very snug fit!

The Easy Y axis mount was no challenge to install. Afterwards I felt annoyed with the wire from the mount to the controller. It was a good layout, but it left me feeling like there was room for improvement.

Lastly, the Cable chain buffer keeps the cable chain from bending too far the wrong way and snagging on a moving part.

After assembling everything, I had to file a corner off the y-belt-holder.stl and the next closest piece of Wire-chain-20mm-Link-sNi.stl. They were getting a little too close to the frame for comfort.

Video

Cable chain works great so far #3dprintingwins A video posted by Dan Royer (@imakerobots) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:41am PST

Wire threading

I bunch all the wires together, wrap a piece of tape around, and then fed it through all the links at once.

I tried cable chain links that have a small opening. It’s much easier to get the wires in. So easy, in fact, that the wires come out when I don’t want them to. Boo!

Now you

Install your own and tweet a pic tagged with @MarginallyC.

If you found this useful, please share it with your friends.