Filament Sensor Housing
This guide covers how to replace the 3D-printed filament sensor housing on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4. The printer has one filament sensor – it is installed at the rear in the upper portal. The sensor housing is a printed part through which the filament passes on its way to the extruder.
Sometimes the housing needs to be replaced – for example, if you experience filament loading issues (filament feeds poorly, jams, or requires excessive force to load). On older printer versions, there may have been manufacturing defects in this part. Vision Miner provides a printable 3D model so you can manufacture a replacement yourself.
Before you begin - safety and risk
Read the Safety - Before You Begin article to understand the hazards involved in working on the Vision Miner 22IDEX V4 - including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical risks. All procedures in this wiki are provided as recommendations only. By choosing to follow any procedure, you do so at your own risk.
Downloading the 3D Models
Vision Miner provides two versions of the filament sensor housing:
| Version | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Original design with full sensor housing filament path. Use this to maintain the original routing. | Download Standard Version |
| Modified | Updated design for shorter filament path. Allows PTFE tube reconfiguration for more direct feed. | Download Modified Version |
If you use the modified version, you can optionally shorten your filament path by reconfiguring the PTFE tube routing. This eliminates the need to print the standard housing and provides a more direct feed path. See Shortening the Filament Path for detailed instructions on tube rerouting (article coming soon).
Printing Recommendations
Print quality directly affects filament feeding. A poorly printed part will create friction and resistance, making filament difficult to load and causing feeding issues during printing.
Material: We recommend printing this part from Nylon CF10 (carbon-fiber-filled nylon). Nylon CF12 is also acceptable.
Filament drying: Use 100% guaranteed dry filament. Nylon is extremely sensitive to moisture – even small amounts of absorbed water will cause surface defects, stringing, and rough internal surfaces. If the parts are printed from wet filament, the filament path will have excessive friction and filament will be very difficult to load. Dry your nylon filament thoroughly before printing – follow the drying instructions provided with your filament. Do not assume filament is dry just because it is new – nylon absorbs moisture even through sealed packaging over time.
Slicing: Slice the model using your preferred slicer. Use standard settings appropriate for Nylon CF10/CF12. Ensure internal surfaces of the filament path are smooth – avoid excessive infill patterns that could create rough internal walls.
Tools and Materials
- Phillips screwdriver PH1 or PH2
- 2 mm Hex screwdriver (hex wrench) – for disconnecting the magnets
- New printed filament sensor housing
Replacing the Filament Sensor Housing
- At the rear of the printer, locate the two PTFE tubes that enter the sensor housing from below. Push the clip up and pull each tube down to disconnect.
- Using a PH1 Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the 4 screws holding the filament sensor endstops. Pull the endstops out – they simply pull toward you.
- Go to the front of the printer. Behind the logo, locate the two PTFE tubes that enter the sensor housing from above. Press the clip and pull each tube up to disconnect.
- Behind the logo, locate the 2 PH2 screws that mount the sensor housing to the printer frame. Unscrew them.
- Remove the sensor housing from the printer.
- On the removed housing, use a HEX 2 mm screwdriver to unscrew the magnets that serve as the rear door closing limiters.
- Screw the magnets onto the new housing using a HEX 2 mm screwdriver. Be careful not to strip the threads in the new printed housing – do not overtighten the screws.
- Install the new sensor housing onto the printer and secure it with the 2 PH2 screws at the front (behind the logo).
-
At the front (behind the logo), reconnect the two top PTFE tubes – push each one in with firm pressure. Gently tug back to verify it holds.
-
Reinstall the endstops and secure them with the 4 PH1/PH2 screws.
-
At the rear, reconnect the two bottom PTFE tubes – push in with firm pressure and tug back to verify.
-
Load filament and verify it feeds smoothly through both paths without resistance.
FAQ
Troubleshooting
Support
If you could not find an answer here, reach out to our support team.