NEPTUNE 2 / NEPTUNE 2S - Oil-Roller Filament Guide & Filter

Description

I wanted a filament guide to help with the angle of the filament guide as it goes into the filament sensor, I also had read about how people were getting improved results using an ‘oiler’ on their filament. While oilers seem a bit controversial, I wanted to give it a try, and truth be told it's definitely getting me nicer results. I also wanted a place to keep a tiny bottle of oil, which will last forever since such a tiny amount is required. So I made this, which combines everything in one and fits neatly onto the Elegoo Neptune 2 and 2S. Key features: Modular design - You can print all of it without supports apart from the “filter box” The main chassis is in 2 parts to enable this - Just glue them together using CA glue / Superglue. There is a locator box/void to help with alignment. A thin layer combined with a bit of pressure for a minute or two laminates the two pieces together nicely, it is very strong. Designed to press-fit into the Elegoo Neptune 2 / 2S with no tools or modification to the machine - it's a good firm fit, doesn't move around during printing and provides an excellent straight angle for filament into the filament sensor & extruder. This alone will solve a lot of problems. Note the notch out of the bottom piece to allow space for the screw in the frame. Requires a standard bearing (308 I think?), exterior diameter 22mm, interior “hole” for the pin is 8mm. This pressurefits inside the blue ring shown in the pictures. “Filterbox” requires supports - it has a wedge shape to slide into the main chassis to keep it from moving around, and it has a funnel and a hole in the top so you can just drip a tiny bit of oil in there from time to time. (Note, a tiny bit of oil, very very infrequently is all that is required. You will get probably a whole spool from 2 or 3 drops, one when the spool is new, one when it's half done, one near the end. Too much oil causes bed adhesion issues, but if you only use a small amount it really does help everything flow better. I am using vegetable oil from my kitchen, whatever you use check the smoke point using google, you want as high a smoke point as you can get) Filterbox is hinged, snaps shut and is “Print in place” - To use, cut small squares of sponge from a clean kitchen sponge and use a couple of drops of CA glue / Super glue to stick them in the top and bottom. Once they wear out just use pliers to rip the old sponge out, and stick some new stuff in there. Sponge should last a few months so 1 kitchen sponge will last you about a year. A tiny bit of oil goes a long way - I can't stress this enough. When you first use it, put like 2 or 3 drops on each sponge to prime then snap the filter closed around your filament. This will likely be too much, and will mess up bed adhesion initially, so I recommend printing a large flat square or something just to use up the excess - after this it will work perfectly, when you start to see the results diminshing (likely weeks or months later) just drip one drop of oil in through the hole in the top. Has storage for a small bottle of oil - I am using an empty 10ml bottle of vape juice - clean it out, dry it, fill with oil, it's perfect. You can buy a “nic shot” for under $1 and just tip the contents away if you don't know someone who vapes to ask for a bottle, alternatively any vape shop will provide you an empty bottle free of charge if you just go in and act like a normal nice human. If you want to use a different type of bottle, the diameter of the hole is 20mm. Opinions vary wildly on the efficacy of oiling your filament. I was a sceptic, but for me personally the results are undeniable. Further reading leads me to the opinion that if you have a super duper dialled in machine with top end components, and you use great quality filament, you don't need one, but if you want a low-effort solution until you do have that, then a filament oiler is a super easy hack that does yield results. It seems to be something from a bit ‘back in the day’, ie they were once common but as printers have gotten better, they're less required, again I just wanted to experiment and was very happy with the quality increase I saw in my prints so i've decided to stick with it. If you don't want to use oil you can still just put the sponge in and use it as a filter to catch dust and particles before the extruder. This should also help with prints especially if you're in a dusty environment. Some sanding/filing will be required to get all the parts to fit together unless you have a printer better dialled in than mine is. It took me about 10 mins total to get mine all snapping together super nicely, I used a leatherman and a bit of fine sandpaper. Probably could have just used the leatherman. Glue sandpaper to a lolly stick or use a nail file from your wifes / sisters / mom's makeup box if you don't have a file to hand. Parts are already orientated for best printing - Just import them all into your favourite slicer and space them out on the plate and you should be good to go. No rotation required. Printing guidelines: Whatever layer height you want, I used 0.16 but 0.2 would probably work too. Infill 15%, ish, again, not super important. This thing prints pretty easy. Take a quick look at it, whatever initial guess on how to print it is, is probably right. This is my first project that I've uploaded to share, so if you use it i'd really appreciate seeing a picture! Feel free to remix/share with anyone but no commercial usage or sales is allowed in any context anywhere from this or anything derived from this.

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