Disassembling printer for transportation
Off to a great start so far with my Prusa i3! Just wondering if anyone can let me know what the easiest way is to temporarily disassemble the printer and if there are any precautions (to keep from damaging it) when carrying it with me on public transit for example. If I was still in the United states I would probably just be lazy and load the entire printer securely in my car, and re-calibrate at my destination. The thing is, I am in Japan right now with trains and subways as my only means of transportation, and carrying the entire printer by the Z-axis frame (like pictured in the manual) would be unwieldy, provoke odd stares, and even possibly get me called over to the local police box for some brief questioning. 🙂
My current plan is to separate just the Y-axis assembly keeping the X and Z axis + power supply intact (of course disconnecting the Y-axis motor, Y-axis end-stop, heatbed heater, and heatbed thermistor wires from the RAMBo), and just load it into the original box. I know this is pretty common sense stuff, but I just want to make sure that I'm not overlooking anything.
Most importantly, I remember from past 3D printers I've owned that the X and Y-axis bearings should be secured so they don't slide around too much and wear out during shipping or transportation. Is this understanding correct? I don't imagine that the Z-axis bearings would be subjected to much stress because they are being held in place by the threaded rods, so I'm assuming I don't really have to secure it, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Would zip-tying the extruder assembly and Y-axis carriage to keep them from sliding around suffice? Just being a little paranoid as I expect to travel frequently with this printer and I want to avoid wearing it down in the process.
Re: Disassembling printer for transportation
Personally, I don't think this printer is designed to be very portable, with dis-assembly not being particularly easy.
However, if you must, then I think your method should suffice. Just be very careful with the wiring looms.
Cable ties of varying sizes would be of great assistance here, I believe.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Disassembling printer for transportation
Thanks for the advice! Yeah I will make sure that cables and wires aren't subjected to stress or unneeded flexing and will make use of lots of cable ties!
Re: Disassembling printer for transportation
I realize this has been a long time ago, but what was your experience with disassembling for transport? I'm trying to decide whether to buy the kit and transport it in my luggage from Miami to Costa Rica, or buy the assembled system, and disassemble it a little so that it travels better in my checked luggage. So far I'm leaning towards just the kit. But if you had great success traveling around with a partially assembled unit, maybe that is the way I should go.
Anyone else with pointers or advice, I'm glad to hear from them as well.
Thanks!
-Rich