Most Common Accessories for 3D Printers

Intro

A maker's workplace must include 3D printing accessories and spare parts. Continue reading for a list of important 3D printer accessories! Similar to CNC routers and other machines, 3D printers are complex devices that need a good deal of accessories to operate. We will discuss some excellent accessories and replacement parts for your 3D printer in this article. We will divide our choices into four categories, explaining each one along with providing some examples and more information. Enjoy yourself!

The article will look at topics such as:

1. Couplings for 3D Printer
2. Bushings and Bearings for 3D Printer
3. Springs for 3D Printer
4. JLC Couplings, Bearings and Springs as 3D Printer Accessories

Couplings for 3D Printer

A coupling is a mechanical component that joins similar or different shafts in machines to transfer motion and power. It can be removed for servicing or replacement, and it is often a temporary connection. Through the use of a coupling, two separate machine components can share a motor or an axis of motion. As will be covered below, there are many kinds of couplers used in 3D printers.

Z Coupler

The long, threaded rod that rotates to raise or lower your print head is connected to the shaft of the Z axis motor by the Z coupler, also known as the Z axis coupler. These are often two different-sized rods, so either end of the coupler may accept a different diameter.

Servo-Flex Couplers

These couplers—also known as spring couplers—are fairly common on 3D printers, but the 3D printing community does not particularly like them. This may be because they were originally intended to absorb lateral force, with the added benefit of dampening misalignment and reducing some vibrations.

The coupler's spring is noticeably stretched, the coils ought to be tight. As a result, the Z axis rod wobbles and the print head sits too high. Potential reasons include shipping-related bumping and grinding, hot-end and print bed collisions, or a malfunctioning Z-axis bearing block.

Spider Coupler / Plum Coupler / Elastomer Coupler

Although there are many names for this kind of coupler and various design modifications, the fundamental idea remains the same: an elastic vibration-dampening component is sandwiched between metal on both ends. I'm aware of no more advanced coupling type for 3D printing, and its function is to transfer torque while compensating for misalignment or vibrating force.

The elastomer in the middle,  which frequently has six "legs," is what gives rise to the term "spider coupler." I assume that the red elastomer is where the phrase "plum coupler" was coined.

Metal/Plastic DIY Couplers:

This kind of coupler caught my attention on this 3D printer Zone forum topic. If you want to do it yourself, it's inexpensive, easy to make, and smart. It is made up of three 2D cutout forms that are joined by nuts at both ends and secured by screws around the periphery. Its enormous footprint and rigidity are its drawbacks; on some printers, it might just be too big for the given space.

Bushings and Bearings for 3D Printer:

Components are moved along rods with the assistance of bushings and bearings. Not only can they facilitate smooth, linear motion of parts, but they can also be employed in a variety of different ways, such as serving as idlers for belts or extruder blocks. Sleeve bushings in 3D printers allow mobility along a rod by using a smooth material on their inner surface, and its outer housing rests inside a piece of hardware that holds it in place. Ball bearings hold the inner and outer rings of a bearing internally while separating them. These bearings are also known as rolling-element bearings. This allows for extremely smooth motion over bolts and screws or passage along rods with no resistance. Their essential purpose is to reduce rotational  friction and sustain both axial and radial loads. The build platform, which includes the extruder, travels on smooth rods in the majority of 3D printers as it goes back and forth. In addition to providing support for the parts, the polished rods direct the extruder in a straight route. The straight steel rods are fitted with bushings or bearings to lower friction and provide a jerk-free action.

Bushing

Bushings are cylinders typically composed of steel, polymeric, or bronze. They are also referred to as sleeve or plain bearings. These materials lessen wear and noise, as well as the friction and power required to produce linear or rotational motion. Bronze bushings may require external lubrication or be impregnated with oil to eliminate the need for lubrication.

Bronze Bushings

Generally speaking, bronze bushings are less expensive than linear bearings. Furthermore, they can operate on less costly non-hardened shafts or hardened shafts, which allows ancillary equipment to be less expensive. One of the disadvantages of bronze bushings is that they can wear away at the shaft and require a lot of lubrication to prevent a gritty mixture from forming at the shaft. Moreover, bronze bushings can have a stick-slip issue, which causes jerky motion during printing because, as the name suggests, the bushings are prone to sticking on the shaft (static friction), then slipping over the shaft. Lastly, because many are not made to specification, they can have large tolerances, which makes them an unsuitable fit for 3D printers.

Vesconite Hilube bushings or bearings

Vesconite Hilube bushings or bearings are available in a range of sizes and types, making them ideal for ensuring smooth operation in 3D printer parts.

Polymer Bushings

Another substitute for sleeve bearings are polymer bushings, which come in a variety of materials. However, they also have excessive tolerances and slip-stick, particularly if they are mass-produced or constructed of less expensive polymers. Furthermore, mass-produced polymer bearings can come in a restricted range of sizes and might not satisfy the demands of the producer of 3D printers.

Ball Bearings:

Bronze and polymer bushings can be substituted with linear ball bearings. They have ball bearings all the way around their inner diameter where they ride on a shaft, and they can be pillow boxes, flanged, or tube-shaped. Instead of causing sliding, this causes rolling. Depending on quality, ball bearings can range widely in price. Compared to bushings, durable, brand-name ball bearings can be more costly. To prevent the balls from eating into the shaft, they should also be used with hardened shafts. Because of this, the rods that the bushings run on are pricey.

Springs for 3D Printer

Springs are basic but crucial parts of several 3D printers. They are useful for regulating and preserving tension, particularly in extruder idlers and at the ends of axes. However, it should be mentioned that not all 3D printers use springs or include them into the functioning of their extruders.

Uses

These fasteners are crucial parts of 3D printers, mostly found in the mechanism that levels the print bed. In order to ensure accurate and reliable printing results, a 3D printer spring helps to maintain the ideal distance between the print nozzle and the print bed.

Application:

A large variety of 3D printer models and brands are compatible with both leveling springs and SS springs. They can be used to replace worn-out or damaged springs in the leveling system that already exists with ease.

Features:

1. Sturdy: Constructed from premium stainless steel, these springs offer long-lasting performance and are resistant to corrosion.
2. Ideal Thickness: The 0.9mm and 1.2mm thickness options provide the ideal amount of tension to guarantee that the print bed is leveled properly.· Simple Installation: Without the need for specialized equipment or knowledge, it is simple to install.
3. Improved Printing Quality: These springs aid in producing reliable, high-quality prints by preserving the proper distance between the print nozzle and the print bed.

Conclusions

Major components of mechanical accessories for 3D printers include frames, various mounting parts, lead screws, eccentric spacers, aluminum spacers, flexible couplings, solid couplings, bearings, timing pulleys, lock nuts, and delrin wheels. We produce all kinds of premium-quality mechanical parts for 3D printers at competitive prices.

3D printer parts are necessary for the proper operation of the overall device. Spring tension, bearings, and couplings are all crucial components for the machine to operate properly. JLCMC offers both replacement parts and cutting-edge technology solutions for its 3D printers.  

JLCMC offers 3D printer parts that are precisely tailored to meet the demands of cutting-edge technology. Not only do we have the tools you need to get the most out of the control over your 3D printers, but we also have mechanical parts that are crucial to the machine's longevity.