P1P Drag Chain

UPDATE: AFTER FURTHER TESTING I NOW RECOMMEND PRINTING WITH ASA. More heat resistant. ASA .3mf FILE INCLUDED. 

First 3 pictures show ASA print. I also reduced the CHAN LINK PTFE GUIDE'S down to 4. Take a look at the 3rd picture to see the proper assembly. 

Ok so….. a few drag chains for the P1P have already been developed. What makes this one any different than the rest? 

This P1P Drag Chain design stands out as the best option for cable management due to several key differentiators, which were identified through a careful evaluation of existing drag chain designs, including the Bambu Labs original and other designs/addons available here in Pintables and on the web.

1. Sag-Prevention: One of the standout features of this drag chain is its remarkable ability to prevent sagging. This is achieved through a thoughtful modification where the inner chain link pegs are offset by 20 degrees. This innovative design tweak ensures that, when printed with the right tolerances, the chain link cannot physically sag. This is a significant improvement over many existing drag chains that may require additional supports or modifications to address sagging issues after heavy use.                                                                
2.  User-Friendly Installation: This design prioritizes ease of use, and it retains the press-fit wire attachment method, similar to the original drag chain. This means users can simply press-fit their wires into the chain links without the need for tiny, intricate clips or additional tools. This user-friendly approach simplifies the installation process, making it accessible even to individuals with limited technical expertise.                                                
3.  Efficient Printing: The drag chain design minimizes the number of parts that need to be 3D printed. This reduction in the part count not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also contributes to a more efficient and cost-effective production. Fewer parts also mean fewer potential points of failure, enhancing the overall reliability of the drag chain.

In summary, The P1P drag chain design surpasses other options due to its unique and effective approach to sag prevention, user-friendly installation method, and efficiency in 3D printing. These attributes combine to make it a superior choice for cable management applications, offering improved performance and ease of use compared to other drag chains available. 

A FEW DESIGHN FETURES WERE TAKIN FROM THE FOLLOWING MAKERS AND DESERVE ALL CREDIT!

After several months of research, I found a few features that are undeniably the best design options from other local designers, such as the chain link PTFE guide from:

https://www.printables.com/model/368584-p1p-printable-cable-chain 

https://www.printables.com/model/399556-p1p-printable-no-sag-cable-chain

AND the PTFE pass through/drag chain frame connection bracket, I believe originally came from this gentleman:

https://www.printables.com/model/333616-bambu-lab-p1p-ptfe-tube-bracket 

AND to complete the system I'm including the Short Stack PTFE tub connector from:

https://www.printables.com/model/455673-shortstack-the-tiny-little-bambu-ams-loading-fix-t

INSTRUCTIONS:

Finding the right tolerance is NOT easy. For the chain to properly function the chain links must be tight with absolutely no wiggle between the links but yet loose enough to move after being worked in.  

(If you find that your printed chain starts to sage over time, please reread the above sentence).

All being said, printing a drag chain is extremely finicky based on the fact that almost every filament type/brand out there prints with its own unique set of settings. 

ASA is of course now the best material to use based on its characteristic's/heat resistance. I recommend printing out a set of four to six chain links until you find the right fit. If the printed test set turns out to be too tight/lose, just reduce or increase the flow by 0.1% until they feel as described above.

The whole assembly will have a slight arch upward when printed with the proper tolerance and when properly assembled.  You should not be able to bend the chain backwards towards the logo at all, as seen in the pictures. I recommend completely assembling all pieces before installing the drag chain. The last pic shows' the chain completely assembled.

PRINTING:

CHAIN LINKS X 22

PTFE GUIDE CHAIN LINKS X 4

FRAME MOUNT X 1

EXTRUDER MOUNT X 1

&

SHORT STACK X 1

All other printing information/settings can be found in the .3mf file. I recommend you slice and print directly from the provided file. The PETG file was left for those who can't print ASA.

The frame mount needs to be printed at 0.1 (I have hade success as high as 0.2) layer height to allow for the bottom edge of the chain link connection to separate from the base of the frame mount during assembly. This allows the chain link to be installed to the frame mount with ease.