Stock-ish Extruder Mount for Anet A8 and Alike! (Includes Chain and Mount Or Chainless!)

So I lost the stock carriage for my other A8 and decided to print something close to it but with my own touches.

I plan on clamping the stepper to hold it in place. This will include mounts for round sensors and a BL Touch too. Fan placement should be stock enough that any aftermarket duct would fit.

This is based on https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2873811

The idea is a printable easy to use carriage for those who run the stock extruder setup rather than a bowden. I need this to print soft filament.

#NOTE!

• The distance between the top of the heated block and bottom of the extruder is 9.5mm in my setup. You set this with the jam nut. This is a somewhat critical distance if using with a touch sensor!

• You will need 2x M4x30 Socket Head Cap Screws and nuts to fasten the cap.

• You can choose with or without chain!

• Print with support everywhere!

• Includes Chains and Mount for them modded for how tall this is!

• See pictures and screen shots for more information or leave me a comment!

• Please like, comment and post a build! Love to see this get used!

• Get the chain here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3179124

#Code note!

The touch sensor settings are:

define X_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER 62 // X offset: -left +right [of the nozzle]
define Y_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER -2 // Y offset: -front +behind [the nozzle]
define Z_PROBE_OFFSET_FROM_EXTRUDER 0 // Z offset: -below +above

And the travel limits are:

// Travel limits after homing (units are in mm)

define X_MAX_POS 240
define X_MIN_POS 0
define Y_MAX_POS 230
define Y_MIN_POS 0
define Z_MAX_POS 220
define Z_MIN_POS 0

You also must set

// Set the boundaries for probing (where the probe can reach).

define LEFT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 53
define RIGHT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 200
define BACK_PROBE_BED_POSITION 200
define FRONT_PROBE_BED_POSITION 20

#Thank you!!

See below for updates.

Update 10/22/18 Ready for first test print! Files updated, BL Touch added. Extruder motor is meant to sit with it's hind end up against the BL Touch mount to set the distances. Put the chain mount on it too.

Update 10/23/18 Printed (see pictures) but the cooling fan misses the extruder. Moved it back 5mm to reset the center. Redesigned and moved printing again!

Second Update of 10/23/18 Made some more changes. Added some bracing, moved the fan and added a filament guide on the carriage. All files and renders updated. Printing now!

Third Update 10/23/18
#Good to go!
Printed, measured and working on installing it now for final testing. Overall I would say it's safe to try it at this point, software tweaks not withstanding. My machines are not stock and both have RAMPS with Marlin firmware so I cannot test this with the stock board and firmware or Skynet. Added a version withotut the chain. The mount for the sensor is also what sets where the stepper goes so it cannot be removed. All files and images updated. Thank you!

Update 10/25/18 Modded the filament guide to give the option to use a push fitting like the bowden machines use.

This can be used with any of my Bowden Tube inlet guides including the one with the switch:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2889299

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2763164

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2762124

There's a new picture showing the changes!

Update 10/27/18 Moved the fan mount 3mm back to center the fan duct better.

Update 11/1/18 Found a potential issue with the BLTouch placement. Moved and updated. Added BLTouch spacers.