X-Axis Belt Tensioner
Hey folks... I finally got the printer assembled and its printing fine. One thing I just noticed is the x axis belt seems a bit looser than expected. It wasnt the case when I first put it in and wonder if after several prints it loosened up a bit. Is there a way to tighten the x axis without having to dissemble the carriage?
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I just built my printer and had the belt jump over its tooth when tensioning at the x-axis, because of too much play in the printed part.
I then printed a „washer“ which i pushed between belt and printed part were it compresses the belt and the problem was solved.
Maybe the belt also jumped over its tooth in the x-carriage at your printer 😉.
Rgds Vinc
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
Hey folks... I finally got the printer assembled and its printing fine. One thing I just noticed is the x axis belt seems a bit looser than expected. It wasnt the case when I first put it in and wonder if after several prints it loosened up a bit. Is there a way to tighten the x axis without having to dissemble the carriage?
Unfortunally no!!
You have to unscrew the backplate, cut the zip ties and rotate the backplate so you can tension the belt
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
jltx put a redesigned back cover on thingverse with cutouts so you don't have to remove the back cover to adjust the belts... I really like the idea but wasn't keen on having someone's forum name on my printer so I pulled SCAD files from Git and made my own cutout, sorry jltx, couldn't do it. I don't have access to a 3D printer and my printer hasn't shipped yet so my new back plate is being done at Shapeways along with a couple of other bike parts I worked up. On the down side I've been very slowly recreating all of the printer parts in Creo, something that's turning out to be quite time consuming but I think I can probably assemble this printer in my sleep at this point. If you're going to pull the cover you might as well print one with cutouts first.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I was having the same issue, so I designed a plate so I could tighten the belt without disassembling everything. I just uploaded to Thingiverse, my first one. Anyway the plate mounts to the X-Axis motor with hardware I had in the Spare Parts Kit. Then install 3 square nuts in the plate slots, then resemble to the printer. I used a screwdriver between the plate and the frame to get the belt tight, before fully tightening the screws. Seems to be working well for me.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I was having the same issue, so I designed a plate so I could tighten the belt without disassembling everything. I just uploaded to Thingiverse, my first one. Anyway the plate mounts to the X-Axis motor with hardware I had in the Spare Parts Kit. Then install 3 square nuts in the plate slots, then resemble to the printer. I used a screwdriver between the plate and the frame to get the belt tight, before fully tightening the screws. Seems to be working well for me.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2740715
THat was really clever =)
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
@matthew.h21 that is awesome!
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
Looks like a quicker, less disruptive option to me.
Think I will print one just in case belt stretches.
Did you only print it c/bores down, to have a smoothe face visible when assembled? I'll probably try c/bores up!
Thank you! 🙂
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I printed with the counter bores down, because I wasn't sure how the surface inside the slots that the nuts will tighten up against would come out. Let me know how it comes out facing up, I ordered some PLA Plus in Black, and was going to re print it once it arrived, just so I didn't have one silver part on the printer. I will give it a try that way when I print. Thanks.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I printed mine in translucent green petg. Because it was in the machine at the time...
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
Agreed.. this design is less intrusive. I'll give it a shot today.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I was having the same issue, so I designed a plate so I could tighten the belt without disassembling everything. I just uploaded to Thingiverse, my first one. Anyway the plate mounts to the X-Axis motor with hardware I had in the Spare Parts Kit. Then install 3 square nuts in the plate slots, then resemble to the printer. I used a screwdriver between the plate and the frame to get the belt tight, before fully tightening the screws. Seems to be working well for me.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2740715
This is nice. Thanks. Printing one now... Mine's in red n-vent. MK3 starting to look like a gypsy circus wagon... 🙄
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I printed one of these for my MK3, well two actually as I guessed (wrongly) the bore size instead of measuring it!. Printed it is Prusa Orange PLA. Worked a treat.
Z
Blog: http://ianmarshall.me
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I was having the same issue, so I designed a plate so I could tighten the belt without disassembling everything. I just uploaded to Thingiverse, my first one. Anyway the plate mounts to the X-Axis motor with hardware I had in the Spare Parts Kit. Then install 3 square nuts in the plate slots, then resemble to the printer. I used a screwdriver between the plate and the frame to get the belt tight, before fully tightening the screws. Seems to be working well for me.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2740715
Very nice idea! Thanks for sharing
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
Glad to hear you found it useful. It came in handy over the weekend for loosening/re-tightening the belt when I replaced all my rails with the hardened replacements from Prusa on my MK3.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I am surprised more people arn't using this as its a no brainer and allows much more control over belt tension.
Would anyone be interested in my modified version? I am using Braiding on my cables and have been thinking of how to secure it on the X-motor so that the sleeving doesn't slide back over time... So I made this simple mod, giving a cable tie hole to secure the braiding.
The raised shaft sits just behind the cable coming out of the motor, so once the braiding is in place you can just cable tie the whole thing to the mount.
If anyone is interested let me know
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I'm not a fan of belt geometry change tightening, elegant a solution as it is. So, unsatisfied with what I found online, agreed with the most straight forward solution and "swoll'd" it. Makes the printer wider so there is a downside.
Due to the use of non-standard kit provided hardware of 3mm guide rods this will not be posted online.
MK2S kit owner since 8/15/2017
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I am surprised more people arn't using this as its a no brainer and allows much more control over belt tension.
Would anyone be interested in my modified version? I am using Braiding on my cables and have been thinking of how to secure it on the X-motor so that the sleeving doesn't slide back over time... So I made this simple mod, giving a cable tie hole to secure the braiding.
motor mount.jpg
The raised shaft sits just behind the cable coming out of the motor, so once the braiding is in place you can just cable tie the whole thing to the mount.
If anyone is interested let me know
I would like to have your modified version, please. I hope you will post the file, and thanks for offering it.
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I'm not a fan of belt geometry change tightening, elegant a solution as it is. So, unsatisfied with what I found online, agreed with the most straight forward solution and "swoll'd" it. Makes the printer wider so there is a downside.
Due to the use of non-standard kit provided hardware of 3mm guide rods this will not be posted online.
Looks like very nice work!
Re: X-Axis Belt Tensioner
I'm not a fan of belt geometry change tightening, elegant a solution as it is. So, unsatisfied with what I found online, agreed with the most straight forward solution and "swoll'd" it. Makes the printer wider so there is a downside.
Due to the use of non-standard kit provided hardware of 3mm guide rods this will not be posted online.
Really nice design. I was thinking something along these lines would be ideal but have to say what you did is much more refined than what I was thinking.