FlashForge Creator Pro top plate

This Thing offers both a replica of the top plate of the 2016 FlashForge Creator Pro (unsure whether this is different on older models), and an improved version (‘v2’ suffix). This is the part that connects the umbilical cord and the filament guide tubes to the carriage.

Unless for some reason you need the exact same part as the original, I recommend printing the v2 model. It uses less material hence is lighter, and has beveled holes that make it easier to insert the filament guide tubes. It also has a rounded front edge that reduces stress on the fan cables (and looks nicer!)

Of each model, two variations are included: one with normal round holes, and one with polyholes that should give a better chance at properly dimensioned holes without post-processing.

This part does not have very stringent requirements when it comes to structural integrity, only the center part around the holes is important. Its only task is to hold the umbilical and filament guide tubes in place. Use at least 3 shells and sufficient bottom and top layers to ensure the holes are up to the task.
Use a material that can withstand at least some heat, as the steppers can get quite hot. ABS is fine, PLA is not. PETG might be borderline. The ABS printed version shown in the last photo still looked fine when I replaced it with the fancier new version 3 years later.

The original reason why I made this, was for weight reduction to reduce ringing. After a while I figured out that simply removing the unused stepper motor during single extrusion prints (about 99% of all my prints) provides a much bigger weight reduction than with all these small tweaks, but still every little bit is welcome. My first print removed 12 grams compared to the solid original which weighs about 22.8 g, the new v2 part is 15.6 g lighter. What also seems to help to reduce ringing, is adding a paperclip tensioner (http://www.thingiverse.com/make:244658) to the X axis belt.

Originally I also considered printing this mostly hollow, halting the print before the top layers were added, and then filling it halfway with sand. I'm not sure if this would be beneficial to dampen vibrations. Some say that attaching a sand-filled box could help in dampening oscillations, others say it will only make it worse. Anyone who has the time to try this, I'm interested in the results. I guess the theory is that the energy surplus from sudden decelerations will be partly dissipated by the random motion of sand grains bouncing around, but only an experiment could show whether this has any… grain of truth in it :p

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