Summary

This design was part of a effort to develop a direct drive solution (see link for direct drive design https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5865031) for my CR-6Se. As part of direct drive solution I needed to relocate the Filament spool to the top gantry along with the filament sensor. I decided to post this design and an independent solution for for people wanting a gantry solution for their printer. I used a 3/8 diameter aluminum rod for the axle, but any dowel-type thing would work as well.

An added benefit of this solution (along with the direct drive solution) is that these designs implement a cable support system that relieves the stress of the signal cable that attaches to the Hot End Extruder assembly (I had to re-built that connector several times.

Creality

CR-6 SE

0.2mm layer, 0.4mm perimeters

25%

Supports may or may not be needed depentend on orientation of part on bed.

I have been modifying and, and hopfully improving the CR-6Se that I got a little over a year ago. I started with the typical mods that most user do (display covers, frame extrusion fillers, camera mounts, all metal hot ends, etc). About a 2 months ago I decided to convert my bowden tube extruder to a direct drive solution so I could run higher temp filaments and hopefully better print results. After scowering Thingiverse for a CR-6Se solution I came to the relization that many of the solutions limited the build volume or required firmware changes to fake the difference in bed dimension. There are some solutions that use upgrade kits from various vendors but they still needed additional parts of mods to get them in.

After searching the internet I found that although there were some solutions available for the 6SE, many involved buying a new hot-end assembly and extrusion combos and still needed additional parts to complete the conversion. These designs usually had compromises limiting the build volume requiring fooling around with machine settings and firmware and ended up still needing other new or modified parts.

I wanted a solution that would…

• maintain the original build volume specs
• maximize use of existing OEM parts and components. Especially the back plate, Hot-end and bed level sensor
• require NO firmware/machine setting changes
• use OTS, readily available and inexpensive parts
• keep the conversion as simple and reliable as possible
• be possible for most knowledgeable users
• look good!
• I also had some “nice to haves”

This Gantry Spooler was an off-shoot of the direct drive project.