Prusa XL Improved Parking Plate / Head Roller Seal

Updated Bearing version 8 Dec 2023

Hi,

I received my XL 5 heads with a damaged silicone head sealing tape...

After a few prints, the silicone ribbon cut itself.

I've design a system that performs the same function of sealing the head when it's parked but thanks to the rollers there is no longer any risk of the silicone tapes tearing..

Printing is done in 0.2mm layer thickness, PETG and without support (see photo of layout in slicer).

(USE PETG for its higher melting point).

This device use the original screw and spring.

Additional parts required are :

Standard PTFE Bowden tube (diam 4mm) (14mm for each assembly)

Some PETG Filament scraps (used for the home made springs).

The original Torx screwdriver supplied with the XL

A piece of low-cost Ikea-style silicone baking mat (1mm thick).

1.2.3.4…5 Bearings MR104ZZ like theses https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DlbRzMZ

• Cut 5x31mm pieces of silicone.
• Sand the bearing with a dremel
• Glue these ribbons to the bearings with Cyanolite glue ( i use Loctite Super Glue -3)
   
• Make a few turns of PETG filament around the Torx screwdriver shaft
• Personally, I've used the 'cold' version as described here, but you can further improve this spring by following the very interesting video byPattysLab here : 

• Cut 2 turns it's enough  (at an angle, as shown in photo)
  !!! more than 2 turns and the head risks bumping into the roller !!!
   
• Insert PTFE tube into Lift and Bearing, trim excess.
   
• Insert PTFE spring and lift into holder.
   
• Insert support assembly and screw onto original head support.

Tweaking :

The height of the assembly must be carefully adjusted.

Too high -> too much force is applied to the nozzle, compressing the thin silicone film and transferring the heat from the head to the bearing, which can lead to silicone deformation.

Too low -> the nozzle is not properly sealed.

This project is currently being validated by some users over a long period of time and with numerous prints.

You can help me to further improve this model by reporting your experience.

Happy printing !
 

Renba.

As a simple return, please Like and post your make ! Thanks ;)

If you like my work and would like to support me, don't hesitate to make a small donation on Ko-fi. https://ko-fi.com/renba

Every contribution counts and allows me to continue creating and partly pay for the filament I use to validate the parts I create.

Also, the link on Aliexpress is an affiliate link.

Thank you for your support too ! 😊

The license is 'no derivative', in fact I want the model to evolve according to your remarks in order to obtain the most perfect model possible (use messenger here above). Allowing remixes can create confusion among users who are looking for a concrete and reliable solution to their problem and who risk getting lost among the remixes proposed, some of which could be non validated correctly or complete. The parts are validated and optimized by carrying out numerous tests and printings

I don't leave a model out in the wild to make its own life, I propose a model and will ensure the modifications on this model according to the remarks of the contributors.