NEMA (extruder) motor rotation indicator

I always like to see what is going on with my printers. Sometimes I wonder what movement the extruder motor is making (extruding, retracting, slow, fast, etc.), which is not always so visible on the Prusa MK2 / MK2.5 / MK3.

Hence I have designed an indicator that you can magnetically snap onto the axis of the NEMA extruder stepper motor. Just print the design, glue a magnet with some super glue onto it (let the glue dry...) and snap it on the motor (make sure to glue the magnet to the 'raised' side). These print in only a few minutes.

Just for the fun I designed a "Dutch Windmill" version. For the purist: unfortunately the extruder motor rotates clockwise when extruding while original Dutch windmills turn counter clockwise :-). Also added a version with smileys. Pls feel free to make your own design.

I have uploaded 6 versions:

Indicator version for a 8x3mm Magnet
Windmill version for a 8x3mm Magnet
Smiley version for a 8x3mm Magnet
Lightning version for a 8x3mm Magnet
Indicator version for a 6x3mm Magnet**
"Turbine" version for a 8x3mm Magnet

** note that the 6 mm magnet version is not a success for me (it rotates, but slips too much). I leave the design available since maybe it works for somebody else, but my recommendation is to use the versions with 8x3mm magnets.

Mikolas Zuza from Prusa Research has also posted an article about this indicator / visualizer on Prusa's website: https://www.prusaprinters.org/visualize-extruder-motor-movements/

Note that these are also handy for on your MMU2!

Print instructions

Suggest to print with 100% infill or enough perimeters

The Turbine might be a bit more challenging to print considering the overhangs and thin walls. Go very slow and make sure to have enough cooling. < 0.2 resolution is recommended.