# mods for mini **URL:** \ **Category:** LulzBot Mini\ **Created:** [June 14, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880 "2015-06-14T12:09:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mav213](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mav213](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mav213)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/1 "2015-06-14T12:09:02Z")
hi anyone done any mods for the mini yet ? care to post pictures ideas ? cheers ---
**Author:** ![wmgeorge64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wmgeorge64](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/wmgeorge64)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/2 "2015-06-14T13:37:37Z")
> [@mav213](#): > > hi anyone done any mods for the mini yet ? care to post pictures ideas ? > > cheers Well the first thing I did was put a small C clamp on the fold down arm for the spool, to hold to the frame. I did my first print and was messing with trying to get the filament end secured and oops the arm folded down and the spool hit the floor šŸ˜ . Lucky for me not much un-spooled. Other than little changes, its been a great machine. ---
**Author:** ![mav213](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mav213](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mav213)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/3 "2015-06-16T19:03:44Z")
mines been a great machine prints time after time first time switch on load up print magic , had a small initial problem with the nozzle which lulzbot replaced the whole machine , now how many companies would do that ---
**Author:** ![hemocyanin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/hemocyanin/32/62_2.png) [@hemocyanin](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/hemocyanin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/4 "2015-06-20T09:21:05Z")
I replaced the horizontal filament arm with center cones, a carriage bolt, and captured nut knob. I had had two prints fail due the filament jamming from the strong tugging required to spin the spool on the stock rod, and havenā€™t had any such problems since because it takes much less force to spin the spool so the filament doesnā€™t jam itself into the lower layers. The only part I made was the base to attach the bolt to, the other parts I got from a different project mentioned in the description: [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:859929](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:859929) ---
**Author:** ![wmgeorge64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wmgeorge64](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/wmgeorge64)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/5 "2015-06-20T11:40:13Z")
> [@hemocyanin](#): > > I replaced the horizontal filament arm with center cones, a carriage bolt, and captured nut knob. I had had two prints fail due the filament jamming from the strong tugging required to spin the spool on the stock rod, and havenā€™t had any such problems since because it takes much less force to spin the spool so the filament doesnā€™t jam itself into the lower layers. The only part I made was the base to attach the bolt to, the other parts I got from a different project mentioned in the description: > > [Filament Coil Holder for Lulzbot Mini (remix) by hemocyanin - Thingiverse](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:859929) I have not had that issue yet and just wondering about something. The spool is on top, most of the other printers I have seen had the spool on the side and pulled the filament up through a tube. My mini spool on top seems to un-wind a bit and I am wondering if its too loose and it gets tangled on the spool. Your idea looks great, nice job on the design and the print out! ---
**Author:** ![hemocyanin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/hemocyanin/32/62_2.png) [@hemocyanin](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/hemocyanin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/6 "2015-06-20T16:43:06Z")
> [@wmgeorge64](#): > > ā€¦ My mini spool on top seems to un-wind a bit and I am wondering if its too loose and it gets tangled on the spool. ā€¦ This is exactly it I think. Both times it happened to me the reel was pretty close to full and the filament being thick, it sort of comes unsprung so to speak. The leading end works its way down into the loose threads and if unlucky, it gets wedged between other strands ā€“ kind of like the cutting line in a weedeater tends to do. The extra pulling force required to overcome resistance with the original part makes it more likely for that leading end will get pulled down into the reel and locked in. ---
**Author:** ![mav213](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mav213](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mav213)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 9:01am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/7 "2015-06-21T09:01:01Z")
this is one of the minor problems i have had with the filament jamming because it has got tangled on the spool from being too loose , i was looking to design something that would position the filament in the centre of the top frame to maybe stop the filament being pulled so harshly ---
**Author:** ![wmgeorge64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wmgeorge64](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/wmgeorge64)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 12:23pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/8 "2015-06-21T12:23:18Z")
Well on my wire feed welder they have a adjustable tension adjustment on the spool. The same thing could be done for this printer. (But I have not had any jammingā€¦ yet.) It would almost take an attachment for the arm that would hold the spool whatever size the hole happens to be. Then a tension adjustment for that spool holder. My welder has a large flat washer held in place by a spring, another washer and a self locking nut. It could be almost as simple as putting a section of rubber hose over the spool arm. ---
**Author:** ![hemocyanin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/hemocyanin/32/62_2.png) [@hemocyanin](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/hemocyanin)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/9 "2015-06-21T17:24:55Z")
The tensioner sounds like a cool idea. ---
**Author:** ![hemocyanin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/hemocyanin/32/62_2.png) [@hemocyanin](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/hemocyanin)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/10 "2015-06-22T01:34:56Z")
Hereā€™s an idea for LED lighting using a $5 Eveready 6v flashlight. It uses the LEDs and switch from the flashlight and a mini-USB cord that is of no use to me anymore. [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:892007](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:892007) ---
**Author:** ![calabris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@calabris](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/calabris)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/11 "2016-12-31T05:17:30Z")
I have done three so farā€¦ 1. Added case and Pi3 to run OctoPi and control the printer 2. Added 12v LED light strip on the top and down the left hand side to illuminate the bed 3. Bracket to mount C270 webcamera for monitoring the print bed using OctoPi ---
**Author:** ![jim2386](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@jim2386](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/jim2386)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2016, 6:54am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/12 "2016-12-31T06:54:08Z")
I designed a double cooling duct that fits on the existing original mini print head. Uses a blower so air speeds are near 12m/s max vs 4m/s out of the standard nozzle. [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1882525](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1882525) ---
**Author:** ![CoParaTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/coparatech/32/82_2.png) [@CoParaTech](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CoParaTech)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/13 "2017-01-02T06:57:03Z")
Mods to my Mini so farā€¦ added Raspberry Pi running OctoPi, added spool arm bushing [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1353400](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1353400) , replaced mini squirrel cage fan with 25 mm filament fan and duct [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1461335](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1461335) , added LEDs to illuminate the bed, added webcam mount, designed heavier duty extruder idler and latch [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1766022](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1766022) , replaced nozzle wiper with dual wiper [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1976831](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1976831) , and Iā€™m currently considering installing the BuildTak FlexPlate system removable bed with a PEI sheet [https://www.buildtak.com/product/buildtak-flexplate-system/](https://www.buildtak.com/product/buildtak-flexplate-system/) . ---
**Author:** ![mrvanes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/mrvanes/32/103_2.png) [@mrvanes](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mrvanes)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 8:59am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/14 "2017-01-02T08:59:01Z")
I did some tweaking as well. On arrival I had to reprint the filament pully idler, but that was just bad luck. Then, started with the [Y-axis dampener](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/nema-17-motor-vibration-damper-night-and-day/2367/1). Added the [USB support](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/lulzbot-mini-usb-support/3690/1). Added X/Y-axis timing belt [tensioner springs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO-0IJuC9UM). Created an Octoprint [Webcam mount](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1892631). Installed the [Mini print bed harness clip](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-print-bed-harness-clip/2156/1). And last but not least, upgraded my [linear bearings](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/replacing-polymer-bearings-on-the-x-axis-on-the-mini/3670/1) to [lm8uu](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1364978) ball-bearings on hard rods, which is the upgrade I would recommend any Mini owner so far. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/65b543/32.png) [@John\_Mc](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/John_Mc)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/15 "2017-01-02T23:12:14Z")
Does anyone have some beginner-level instructions and part list for installing Raspberry Pi and OctoPi on a Mini? The 5th/6th grade classroom Iā€™m helping out with is plagued with ancient laptops that have trouble running the Mini (especially on more complex prints). Iā€™d like to set them up with an RPi. I know knothing about these myself, but could probably figure it out with a few pointers. However, Iā€™d really like to get a couple of kids who are interested in this stuff involved in doing the upgrade. The more of it they can do, the better. Iā€™d just be around to monitor and help out if it involved things they were not comfortable with. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/65b543/32.png) [@John\_Mc](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/John_Mc)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/16 "2017-01-02T23:15:37Z")
> [@CoParaTech](#): > > Mods to my Mini so farā€¦ replaced mini squirrel cage fan with 25 mm filament fan and duct [Taz replacement 25mm hotend Fan Duct by KillaCycle - Thingiverse](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1461335). That link is to the part for a Taz. Does the same one fit on a Mini? Did you use a 5 volt fan or a 12V? I think the little fan runs on 5 V, doesnā€™t it? If 12 V (or something other than the stock voltage) did you install a buck converter, or just run a 12 V fan on 5V? Did you have to change your print profiles at all to use this fan (e.g. adjustments to fan speed) or is speed not software adjustable for the hot end fan? ---
**Author:** ![ScottW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@ScottW](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/ScottW)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/17 "2017-01-02T23:40:29Z")
> [@John Mc](#): > > Does anyone have some beginner-level instructions and part list for installing Raspberry Pi and OctoPi on a Mini? Here are a couple good links to get you started: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwsxO3ksxm4) > **[Download & Setup OctoPrint](https://octoprint.org/download/)** > > Learn how to setup OctoPrint using the preinstalled OctoPi image for Raspberry Pi, or how to install from source on Windows, Linux and Mac. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/65b543/32.png) [@John\_Mc](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/John_Mc)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/18 "2017-01-03T00:22:58Z")
Thanks, ScottW. A couple of questions for you: Does the RPi setup require using SD cards to get the STL files to the RPi, or can that be done over the network? The kids are using older laptops or Chromebooks to do their design work. None of these have SD Card readers. Does the Pi have onboard storage for the files, or can we just leave an SD card in it for storage? Iā€™m trying to get my head around how to control access. Right now, running a print requires physical access to the tethered laptop. This provides some ā€œprotectionā€ for a running print: the classroom rule is "if the printer is running, and the print is not yours, hands off the laptop. If we are controlling via a network, what happens if someone tries to send their file to the printer while itā€™s running a print, or otherwise messes things up while another studentā€™s print is running. I suppose we could restrict the password access to the teacher, but that requires her to personally interact with each print, and makes her the bottleneck. Maybe Iā€™m missing something here, but how does the Pi deal with having potentially multiple people sending it commands? ---
**Author:** ![piercet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/piercet/32/12_2.png) [@piercet](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/piercet)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/19 "2017-01-03T00:37:08Z")
> [@John Mc](#): > > Thanks, ScottW. A couple of questions for you: > > Does the RPi setup require using SD cards to get the STL files to the RPi, or can that be done over the network? The kids are using older laptops or Chromebooks to do their design work. None of these have SD Card readers. Does the Pi have onboard storage for the files, or can we just leave an SD card in it for storage? > > Iā€™m trying to get my head around how to control access. Right now, running a print requires physical access to the tethered laptop. This provides some ā€œprotectionā€ for a running print: the classroom rule is "if the printer is running, and the print is not yours, hands off the laptop. If we are controlling via a network, what happens if someone tries to send their file to the printer while itā€™s running a print, or otherwise messes things up while another studentā€™s print is running. I suppose we could restrict the password access to the teacher, but that requires her to personally interact with each print, and makes her the bottleneck. Maybe Iā€™m missing something here, but how does the Pi deal with having potentially multiple people sending it commands? The raspberry pi option runs a dedicated web server on board the pi board. The SD card becomes the web server hard drive, location the g code file goes, and controling the printer. The USB connection goes from the USB port on the printer to the rambo board. The Web page shows the print in progress, percentage completed, etc. Anyone accessing that page could hit stop, abort prints, or start new ones. Some software packages will allow sorry stl slicing on board. ---
**Author:** ![ScottW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@ScottW](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/ScottW)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880/20 "2017-01-03T00:38:17Z")
> [@John Mc](#): > > Thanks, ScottW. A couple of questions for you: > Does the RPi setup require using SD cards to get the STL files to the RPi, or can that be done over the network? Over the network. The web interface provides ā€œdrag and dropā€, or you can setup SMB file sharing on the pi and then connect virtual drives from the computers. > [@John Mc](#): > > Does the Pi have onboard storage for the files, or can we just leave an SD card in it for storage? The pi uses a mini-SD card for both itā€™s own boot/configuration files, and for storage. Just buy a relatively large mini-SD card for the pi, and youā€™ll have plenty of storage for sliced gcode files being uploaded. > [@John Mc](#): > > Iā€™m trying to get my head around how to control access. Right now, running a print requires physical access to the tethered laptop. This provides some ā€œprotectionā€ for a running print: the classroom rule is "if the printer is running, and the print is not yours, hands off the laptop. If we are controlling via a network, what happens if someone tries to send their file to the printer while itā€™s running a print, or otherwise messes things up while another studentā€™s print is running. I suppose we could restrict the password access to the teacher, but that requires her to personally interact with each print, and makes her the bottleneck. Maybe Iā€™m missing something here, but how does the Pi deal with having potentially multiple people sending it commands? I havenā€™t used Octoprint in an environment with a large number of potentially unruly users, so I donā€™t have a good answer for this. One way would be to setup SMB so all students could upload their files, but give Octoprint login access only to the teacher (which would mean the teacher would need to start all prints). Hopefully someone else here has used Octoprint in a multiuser environment and will chime in with a better answer. [Next page](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mods-for-mini/1880.md?page=2)