3d printer with supported umbilical to print head

An extrusion-based 3D printer configured to print 3D parts in a layer-by-layer manner, the 3D printer comprising:

• a build chamber;
• a build platen within the chamber;
• an unheated tool chamber above the build chamber;
• a plurality of print heads housed within the tool chamber, each of the plurality of print heads being configured to extrude material onto the build platen or previously extruded material wherein each of the plurality of print heads is configured to be moved in at least an x-y plane across the build chamber and also to be lifted and lowered in a z dimension;
• a plurality of filament supplies;
• and
• a plurality of umbilicals having a length between a first end and a second end, each of the plurality of umbilicals being within the tool chamber, each of the plurality of umbilicals is configured to provide a supported path for a plurality of operational feeds comprising a filament feed tube and a power cable, each of the plurality of umbilicals comprises:
• a backbone running the length of the umbilical, the backbone configured to provide support and flexibility to the plurality of operational feeds;
• and
• a plurality of fixtures spaced along a length of the umbilical, wherein the plurality of fixtures maintain the filament tube, the power cable and the backbone in a spaced apart spatial relationship while providing support from the backbone to the filament tube and the power cable;
• and
• a substantially rigid pivot arm secured to the umbilical proximate the first end, the substantially rigid pivot arm being configured to pivot about a pivot axis as the print head and umbilical move.