PonokoRepRapXAxisAssembly
Ponoko RepRap X Axis Assembly And Installation
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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When you're building the X Axis Assembly, assemble the pieces vertically as shown. This makes it easier to keep bits that should stay out of the way out of the way, particularly when fitting the 8mm rods:
You will need the X Motor Assembly, X Idler Bracket Assembly and X Carriage assembly. You will also need 4 pieces of 8mm diameter bright steel rod, each 500mm long. There is also an X Opto Bracket to be fitted (it's the one marked "X"...), with an attendant M5 nut and M5 8mm grub screw.
Slide the 500mm rods through the carriage first, as it holds them in roughly the right spacing.
Fit the Opto Bracket before you forget.
Slide the two end assemblies on, wriggling the rods into the holes in the End Spacers, then adjusting the screws on the Rail Clamps. At some point, standing it on its end as shown above becomes the easier option.
And here's one I've done earlier:
This shows how the ball-chain is fastened to the X Carriage. Run it around the X Motor Gear, through the slots in the Carriage and End Spacers, around the Idler and fasted using the Carriage clamps.
Use the fixed Clamp to anchor the chain initially, then use the sliding Clamp to apply the final tension and fasten the chain off. Make it sufficiently tight to prevent the chain falling off the Motor gear, but not excessively tight as this makes the Carriage harder to move and increases wear.
This shows how to fit the Y Saddles onto the Y axis. Make sure both sets of Y saddles are square before you do up the nuts connecting them to the End Spacers. The Y Saddles pull the X Axis Assembly down onto the Y Guide Rails, preventing it from rocking as the Carriage or Y Axis moves.
The green stuff in the left of the photo is a reflection from a Darwin Paste Extruder fitted into the Extruder Socket.
You remembered to fit the X Opto Bracket, right?
Now stretch the chains over the Y Axis and you're done with the mechanical assembly!
-- Main.VikOlliver - 07 Nov 2008
