Mendel X-axis
You may find the assembly data sheet useful during assembly.
Contents
Carriage
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
x-carriage-belt-clamp_2off | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-carriage-lower_1off | 1 | 1 | RP |
x-carriage-upper_1off | 1 | 1 | RP |
m4-nut | 12 | 12 | Fastener |
m4-nylock | 10 | 10 | Fastener |
m4-washer | 58 | 58 | Fastener |
m4x16-cap | 6 | 6 | Fastener |
m4x40-cap | 14 | 14 | Fastener |
x-flag | 1 | 1 | Thin sheet |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
Before this assembly it's important to understand the key mechanical concepts of how the axes work. If you haven't already, check this video out:
<videoflash type="vimeo">6982104|640|480</videoflash>
Assemble the lower carriage first (1). Note trapped nuts.
Then assemble the upper carriage (2).
Assemble the two halves together (3) using 6 M4x40 caps (don't forget the optoflag!). Tighten the middle two caps, keep the outer two pairs loose. When fully assembled use a piece of ø8 mm bar to set the distances between the bearings. Slide the bar between the bearings and tighten/slacken the outer two pairs of M4x40 caps to achieve a smooth, low resistance, running fit.
Finally assemble the extruder (4).
Idler bracket
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
x-180-z-bearing-plate_2off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-bar-clamp-m3_6off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-end-bracket_2off.par | 1 | 1 | RP |
m3-capx20.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m3-nylock.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m3-washer.par | 8 | 8 | Fastener |
m4-nylock.par | 11 | 11 | Fastener |
m4-washer.par | 36 | 36 | Fastener |
m4x16-cap.par | 2 | 2 | Fastener |
m4x40-cap.par | 9 | 9 | Fastener |
m5-mudguard-washer.par | 2 | 2 | Fastener |
624-bearing.par | 6 | 6 | Bearing |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
Do not tighten the two adjuster bolts marked with a * in this diagram. These will be used to set the contact between the bearings and the Z shaft. If you attempt to tighten them now you may damage the bracket.
Vert bearing 180
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
z-flag.par | 1 | 1 | Thin sheet |
x-axis-side-plate-nut-jig_2off.par | 1 | 1 | RP |
x-bar-clamp-m4_4off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-vert-drive-nut-trap_4off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-vert-drive-side-plate-180-end_2off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
m4-nut.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m4-nylock.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m4-washer.par | 16 | 16 | Fastener |
m4x40-cap.par | 8 | 8 | Fastener |
m8-nut.par | 1 | 1 | Fastener |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
Use the ‘side plate nut jig’ to trap the nuts for the bar clamp bolts. There is room between the jig and the side plate for washers on both sides.
Vert bearing 360
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
x-360-z-bearing-plate-mirror_2off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-360-z-bearing-plate_2off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-axis-side-plate-nut-jig_2off.par | 1 | 1 | RP |
x-bar-clamp-m4_4off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-vert-drive-nut-trap_4off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-vert-drive-side-plate-360-end_2off.par | 2 | 2 | RP |
opto-endstop-v2-1-pcb.par | 1 | 1 | PCB |
m3-capx20.par | 1 | 1 | Fastener |
m3-nylock.par | 1 | 1 | Fastener |
m3-washer.par | 2 | 2 | Fastener |
624-bearing.par | 6 | 6 | Bearing |
m4-nut.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m4-nylock.par | 14 | 14 | Fastener |
m4-washer.par | 44 | 44 | Fastener |
m4x16-cap.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m4x40-cap.par | 14 | 14 | Fastener |
m8-nut.par | 1 | 1 | Fastener |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
As with the Vert Bearing 180, there is room between the nut jig and the side plate for washers on both sides.
Motor bracket
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
x-bar.par | 2 | 2 | Bar |
drive-pulley_3off.par | 1 | 1 | RP |
x-bar-clamp-m3_6off.par | 4 | 4 | RP |
x-end-bracket_2off.par | 1 | 1 | RP |
m3-capx20.par | 8 | 8 | Fastener |
m3-nylock.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m3-washer.par | 12 | 12 | Fastener |
624-bearing.par | 4 | 4 | Bearing |
m4-nylock.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m4-washer.par | 12 | 12 | Fastener |
m4x16-cap.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
m5-mudguard-washer.par | 4 | 4 | Fastener |
stepper-motor-nema17-fl42sth47-1684A-01.par | 1 | 1 | Motor |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
Assembly is also compatible for NEMA 14 motors.
For all axis motors you'll need to file your own flats onto the drive shafts. When doing this, put blue-tak/tape around the base of the shaft to prevent alloy filings from the shaft getting dragged into the bearings (the motor's magnets will try to suck them in!). The flat should extend down the shaft to ~ 3mm from the face of the motor. The depth of the flat depends on your drive pulley hole profile, so have a good look before you do this. hHe fit should be tight, but not so tight that the drive pulley splits when you push it on.
When pushing the drive pulley onto the motor shaft make sure the rear of the shaft is supported so that you can lightly tap the pulley with a hammer. Failure to support the back of the motor shaft will result in a broken motor.
Fit bars. Make sure the bars do not touch the bearings.
Final x-axis assembly
BOM
Total # of assemblies: 1
Name | Qty/assembly | Total Qty | Type |
x-motor-bracket | 1 | 1 | Assembly |
x-motor-bracket-spacer_2off | 2 | 2 | RP |
x-vert-bearing-360 | 1 | 1 | Assembly |
x-vert-bearing-180 | 1 | 1 | Assembly |
x-idler-bracket | 1 | 1 | Assembly |
x-belt | 1 | 1 | Belt |
x-carriage | 1 | 1 | Assembly |
Reprapped parts
Assembly
Don’t tighten belt until the x-axis is mounted on the main assembly.
Back to Mendel mechanical construction root.