using ribbon cable for gantry wiring So I'm looking into using ribbon cable and IDC connectors to make some nicer, and hopefully more modular wiring for my hotend. My hope at the moment is to wire in only fans, thermistors and maybe an IR sensor. This should take up 9 of the 14 wires in my ribbon cable (4 for fans, 3 for IR sensor, 2 for thermistor). Would it be possible to add motors or heater cartridges to the ribbon cable, or will it cause too much interference? My second thought is that I may run 2 ribbon cables in the end, the second will be for the heater cartridge and extruder motor, and possibly the Y axis motor as well. I'm not sure what the minimum gauge of wiring required is for the hotend, so may have to utilise more then 2 wires in the ribbon. Is there a way to minimize interference between 2 lengths of ribbon cable running close to each other? Any thoughts and opinions on this appreciated. My parts arrive in the next few days so will keep this thread updated. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766724#msg-766724 Sat, 10 Oct 2026 04:03:44 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,800123#msg-800123 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,800123#msg-800123 BrainSlugs83 General Sat, 09 Dec 2017 17:42:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766867#msg-766867 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766867#msg-766867 Origamib General Tue, 09 May 2017 06:19:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766792#msg-766792 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766792#msg-766792 dc42 General Mon, 08 May 2017 18:00:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766788#msg-766788 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766788#msg-766788
Apparently dupont is good enough for up to 3a @ 12v, although I'll do some tests before I trust the heater cartridge on it unattended... if it doesn't work I'll have to make a simple pcb with screw terminals instead. OR I'll use a d-sub connector between the parts and the ribbon cable....]]> Origamib General Mon, 08 May 2017 17:39:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766786#msg-766786 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766786#msg-766786
Quote
the_digital_dentist
...The problem is none of those cables are meant to be flexed regularly...

3M™ High Flex Life Cable 3319 Series flex life of 100 million cycles at 1 3/4 inch diameter.
5 Metres 14 Way £58.55

HighFlex3319.pdf

]]> rolloo General Mon, 08 May 2017 16:48:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766774#msg-766774 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766774#msg-766774
I used a flex ribbon for all the extruder connections in my last printer. The cable came from a tape library robot that I found at the makerspace. It originally had 34 conductors in two ribbons of 17 with a single double row IDC type connector at each end. I didn't need 34 conductors, so I removed the connectors and sawed them in half, then stripped out the center conductors in each ribbon and split them lengthwise. Then I put the ends back into the cut connectors. That gave me two, 16 conductor ribbons. Then I made up circuit boards for each end of the cable- PITA! Then I put mating IDC connectors on all the wires that needed to connect to the cable. It has performed flawlessly for over 3 years, but it sure was a lot of work to put it into the machine. In the most recent machine, even though I still have the other half of the original cable, I chose the easier route of using some ultraflexible wire to go from the controller board to the extruder and just put appropriate connectors on each end. I just couldn't see going to all that trouble again. But who knows, in 6 months I may change my mind...]]> the_digital_dentist General Mon, 08 May 2017 15:37:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766771#msg-766771 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766771#msg-766771
I've since removed the extruder steppers from the top and only have signal value wires running to the top, I'm using CAT6 Ethernet cable now.

Just make sure the wire is rated high enough for whatever current you are pumping through it.]]> briangilbert General Mon, 08 May 2017 15:33:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766749#msg-766749 Re: using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766749#msg-766749 MechaBits General Mon, 08 May 2017 14:26:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766724#msg-766724 using ribbon cable for gantry wiring https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,766724,766724#msg-766724
My second thought is that I may run 2 ribbon cables in the end, the second will be for the heater cartridge and extruder motor, and possibly the Y axis motor as well. I'm not sure what the minimum gauge of wiring required is for the hotend, so may have to utilise more then 2 wires in the ribbon. Is there a way to minimize interference between 2 lengths of ribbon cable running close to each other?

Any thoughts and opinions on this appreciated. My parts arrive in the next few days so will keep this thread updated.]]> Origamib General Mon, 08 May 2017 12:31:20 -0400