Squash ball feet: the most efficient system for Prusa i3 MK3/MK3S/MK3S+ or any 30 extrusion based printer, 100% printable

If you want a completely SILENT printer, print this and see bellow for TPU LCD panel support.

Vibration dampers. Reduce noise and vibrations. This is the most functional design I could find or imagine based on existing models I could find, but clearly not the most beautiful :)

The credit is not mine as I remixed other existing designs together to answer my problem.

No screws or tools needed, easy to attach, easy to remove, easy to adjust.

Due to the design of your printer, the weight is distributed asymmetrically. In a Prusa MK3S+ the back is heavier than the front, back right being the heaviest part.

Some time ago I was looking for a vibration damper system for my printer. I read many studies and video comparing different material properties and it convinced me to use squash balls for vibration absorption and noise reduction.

I won't give details here, other people do it much better than be. I can't find a link while I'm writing the page so, please don't hesitate to put it in comment, I will add it here.

Under your printer, your squash balls will suffer deformation proportionally to the weight, and your printer will no longer be perfectly horizontal.

To correct this effect, you basically need to put more balls where there is more weight. Example on this picture: a Prusa MK3S+ with 2 balls under the alimentation bloc, 1 on each other extremity.

This is a try and test process to get the right adjustment.

Why this design?

This is not a complex design but I could not find anything equivalent so I did it myself.

After deciding to use squash balls, the next question is which design? My first choice was to print 6 nice side feet like in this picture here. I love this design, unfortunately the fact it is attached on the side of the aluminum 3030 limits the places where you can position it. 

On the above picture you see that there is no place on the side of the 3030 to attach 2x of those feet in a MK3S.

So, the only way is to attach the feet under the extrusion. I tried the elephant feet but the feet are not attached properly to the printer, so as soon as you move the printer, the foot falls, and I felt unsecure with it.

So I needed a mechanical fastener system for the 3030 extrusions of the Prusa i3 MK3S and I found this very nice design that I remixed.

I also wanted something without screws, easy to remove and without non printable parts to order.

Description of the design

The 3030 extrusions quick fastener that I remixed are from hallonhatt, he did a great work! The feet are firmly attached to the 3030 aluminum extrusion of your printer but once it is locked you can still move it to adjust the position.

The fastener is locked / unlocked you can use a coin inside the object (left image). I designed it for a Euro 10 cents coin (2mm height, 20mm diameter). For me it works fine but if you prefer to use a screwdriver, don't hesitate to ask and I'll upload a new version.

You will feel a small “clic” when reaching the lock position.

If you need to use force, there is a problem! Be careful to correctly position the feet before fastening the lock. Double check that the piece in fully in contact with the 3030 extrusion on both sides!

Push the squash ball inside. Once inserted, it won't move.

You can use 5 or 6 balls and adjust the positioning. Wait a couple of days, verify the leveling and adjust the position.

I upgraded my MK3S+ to MMU2S adding extra weight on the already heaviest part of the printer. I use 6 balls and may add an extra one.

Print instructions

PETG is supposed to be better. According to hallonhatt : “Printing this in PLA can sometimes be a bit to brittle when it comes to removing the supports and twisting the screw. PETG seems to work well and allows for some flex when turning the screw.”

I, personally, used PETG and it worked just fine but I guess PLA would also work.

You should print it upside down (the ball support upside).

I used 0.15mm quality settings in prusa slicer with following options :

• 3 perimeters, 
• supports on build place only, 
• infill 20%

If you need to use force, there is a problem! Be careful to correctly position the feet before fastening the lock. Double check that the foot in fully in contact with the 3030 extrusion on both sides!

Bonus: if you want totaly SILENT printing

Most of the noice you will hear after this upgrade si vibrations from LCD panel. It may sound strange, but test yourself : put your hand on the LCD panel to prevent vibrations during a noisy print. You hear ?

The solution is easy. You will need a flex TPU filament (85A or 95A is fine) and some pieces of rubber :

• Print the LCD panel (stl is here) support with your TPU filament.
• Unscrew your LCD panel following Prusa instructions available here. 
• Put some pieces of rubber between the electronic boards.
• Remount your LCD replacing the original support with your TPU support.

Remixed Projects

• 3030 extrusions quick fastener - fits Prusa i3 MK3! 
• Squash Ball Elephant Feet : I did not reuse any part of this project but the idea is similar. I tried it and could validate the balls positioning under the printer.

Non-printed Material

• Squash balls with 2 dots from decathlon

Any suggestions welcome, thank you posting your comments and makes!