Elk's Simple Belt Route for Mendel-X-Axis
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Published on June 3, 2012
Description
This thing is meant to update your existing reprap mendel and modify the belt route of the X-axis in the most simple and accurate way.
I made this because I had plenty of backlash and belt wear issues. With the original belt-path I had to replace the belt after a month or so due to steel core breakage. Later (with the first modification of the belt path) I had problems with backlash of the axis.
I made this X-axis update particularly to easily modify your existing mendel with the least effort of material and best possible results.
The new axis is inspired by the prusa-mendel style of belt system and by a similar Idea found here: thingiverse.com/thing:11820
A really good solution... but I was to lazy to disassemble so much of my mendel and therefore the difference is, that you don't need any additional parts for the X-carryage and you can keep the whole idler side of the x-axis more or less untouched. :)
Please mind:
One user that made this mod had problems with belt lifetime. The tooth and exterior has been detached from the tension carrier. I suggest to not over tighten the flipped belt. This can cause too much stress to the belt and might destroy it. My machine had no problems with this issue and was running >30 hours since the mod.
EDIT:
I added another version of the idler guiding roller wheel for the belt. This one is higher and made of two parts. it can be equipped with two bearings instead of just one to minimize wheel-wobble on the axis.
I made this because I had plenty of backlash and belt wear issues. With the original belt-path I had to replace the belt after a month or so due to steel core breakage. Later (with the first modification of the belt path) I had problems with backlash of the axis.
I made this X-axis update particularly to easily modify your existing mendel with the least effort of material and best possible results.
The new axis is inspired by the prusa-mendel style of belt system and by a similar Idea found here: thingiverse.com/thing:11820
A really good solution... but I was to lazy to disassemble so much of my mendel and therefore the difference is, that you don't need any additional parts for the X-carryage and you can keep the whole idler side of the x-axis more or less untouched. :)
Please mind:
One user that made this mod had problems with belt lifetime. The tooth and exterior has been detached from the tension carrier. I suggest to not over tighten the flipped belt. This can cause too much stress to the belt and might destroy it. My machine had no problems with this issue and was running >30 hours since the mod.
EDIT:
I added another version of the idler guiding roller wheel for the belt. This one is higher and made of two parts. it can be equipped with two bearings instead of just one to minimize wheel-wobble on the axis.
Instructions
Bill of Material (should be mostly complete...):
Printed parts (the enclosed STL file contents all necessary parts)
M4x40 screw (or piece of M4 threaded rod) and some nuts and washers
2 pcs of M3x25 screws (can be longer... or threaded rod) and nuts
a bunch of small diameter M4 washers (or a short piece of aluminum tube with inner ø of 4mm)
Some of the disassembled parts of your X-Axis will be re-used
Disassembly:
1. Remove the X-Axis belt.
2. Remove the motor and the motor bracket. Keep the clamps and screws for re-use.
3. Remove the two bearings from the idler plate and keep them for re-use.
Installation of new belt route:
1. Fix the motor with the two outer motor screws to the new bracket.
2. Mount the new motor bracket with the existing clamps and screws
3. Mount the idler bracket extension in the two holes where you removed the idler bearings.
4. Drill out the hole of the idler wheel. use a ø10mm drill or so
5. Press one of the bearings you removed into the idler guiding wheel
6. Mount the idler wheel so that it is aligned to the belt route (use either a piece of aluminum tube or some small diameter washers to space the bearing down to the desired place...)
7. Mount the belt and tension it as desired.
--> please mind: for smoother running, I absolutely suggest to flip the belt by 180° on the returning path. You can see this on the portrait-format-photo. This allows to use the same belt fixing as before and the smooth side of the belt will be running around the idler wheel.
Belt tensioner:
Can be used (and works pretty well) with the belt tensioner found here: thingiverse.com/thing:24197
Printed parts (the enclosed STL file contents all necessary parts)
M4x40 screw (or piece of M4 threaded rod) and some nuts and washers
2 pcs of M3x25 screws (can be longer... or threaded rod) and nuts
a bunch of small diameter M4 washers (or a short piece of aluminum tube with inner ø of 4mm)
Some of the disassembled parts of your X-Axis will be re-used
Disassembly:
1. Remove the X-Axis belt.
2. Remove the motor and the motor bracket. Keep the clamps and screws for re-use.
3. Remove the two bearings from the idler plate and keep them for re-use.
Installation of new belt route:
1. Fix the motor with the two outer motor screws to the new bracket.
2. Mount the new motor bracket with the existing clamps and screws
3. Mount the idler bracket extension in the two holes where you removed the idler bearings.
4. Drill out the hole of the idler wheel. use a ø10mm drill or so
5. Press one of the bearings you removed into the idler guiding wheel
6. Mount the idler wheel so that it is aligned to the belt route (use either a piece of aluminum tube or some small diameter washers to space the bearing down to the desired place...)
7. Mount the belt and tension it as desired.
--> please mind: for smoother running, I absolutely suggest to flip the belt by 180° on the returning path. You can see this on the portrait-format-photo. This allows to use the same belt fixing as before and the smooth side of the belt will be running around the idler wheel.
Belt tensioner:
Can be used (and works pretty well) with the belt tensioner found here: thingiverse.com/thing:24197
License
Elk's Simple Belt Route for Mendel-X-Axis by elk is licensed under the Attribution - Creative Commons license.
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