RepRapPro Tricolour x axis assembly

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A notice about these instructions!

These instructions are open to editing by everyone and anyone.
For the official, and most up to date, instructions, see the RepRapPro wiki here


Goal

By the end of this stage, your X-axis should look like this:

RepRapPro TricolourX Axis


Tools

You will need the following tools

  • M3 Allen key
  • Long-nosed pliers
  • Tweezers

Step 1: X carriage assembly

RRPTricolourMainXParts.jpg
Item Quantity
428mm smooth X rods 2
Printed X motor bracket 1
Printed X idler bracket 1
Printed X idler cover 1
623 bearing (10mm diameter) 1
M3 washers 2
M3x25mm cap screws 2
M3x20mm cap screws 1
LM8UU linear bearings 3
M3 nuts 3

The Carriage

Begin by assembling the X Idler Bracket. Take one M3x20 cap screw and a corresponding washer and insert it through the hole in the centre of the part as shown below. Then insert this assembly through the 623 idler bearing, through the cover and secure with a M3 nut and washer:

RRPTriColourXIdlerPartAssembled.jpg

RRPTriColourIdlerAssembled.jpg

Next insert two M3 washers into the slots on the back of the idler bracket. These are intentionally a tight fit, so you may need to use a long-nosed pliers in order to grip them. The nuts should go in sufficiently far that the holes of the M3 nuts line up with the small holes in the end of the idler bracket. Insert 2 M3x25 cap screws into each bolt.

RRPTricolourIdlerAdjustmentnuts.jpg

Next begin to assemble the axis. Take the 428mm smooth rods and insert these into the large holes in the end of the X idler bracket. Then proceed to slide the linear bearings onto the smooth rods. Note the orientation of the bearings, when looking at the top/complex side of the idler bracket, two bearings go on the top bar with the one remaining bearing on the bottom bar as shown:

RRPtricolourXaxiswithrods.jpg

Ensure the rods are completely inserted into the X idler bracket, then insert the free end of the rods into the X motor bracket:

RRPTricolourXaxisattachedmotorbracket.jpg

Step 2: X Motor assembly

RRPTricolourXmotorparts.jpg
Item Quantity
Nema 17 Stepper Motor 1
MXL Printed Pulley 1
M3 Washer 2
M3x16 Cap Screw 2


Start by inserting the the pulley nut works well), you can tap the end of the tube to place the pulley. Support the motor shaft, not the motor body, from the other end as you tap. You can secure the pulley with a drop of superglue if you like (make sure the shaft is completely free of grease). Take care that no glue gets near the shaft's entry to the motor. Note how both the motor and the pulley has a small flat in the shaft and the hole respectively. These need to be aligned and the flange of the pulley should be facing the end of the motor shaft as shown in the picture below.

RRPtricolourNema17withpulley.jpg

Use the two M3 cap screws and corresponding washers to secure the motor to the X motor bracket as shown below. Note the orientation of the motor wire relative to the bracket.

RRPTricolourXmotorfitted.jpg

Step 3: X carriage assembly

RRPtricolourXcarriageparts.jpg
Item Quantity
Printed X Carriage 1
MXL Timing Belt Approx 1M

Firstly push the linear bearings on the X axis into their slots on the X carriage. THE BEARINGS SHOULD ONLY BE PUSHED IN FROM THE SIDES, PUSHING THEM IN FROM THE FRONT WILL RESULT IN THE X CARRIAGE SNAPPING.

RRPtricolourXcarriagefitted.jpg

Cut off a small length of belt approximately 80mm long (the width of the X carriage), and press this into the slot of the carriage with the teeth facing upwards. This fit is deliberately tight and you may need to use a small flat head screw driver to push the belt into the slot. The belt should be pushed to the very back of the slot.

RRPTricolourXbeltpartfitted.jpg


The remaining belt is fitted after the axis has been fitted to your machine. Your X axis mechanics should now be complete and look as follows:

RepRapPro Tricolour X Axis

Step 4: Endstop

RRPTricolourXEndstopparts.jpg
Item Quantity
Microswitch 1
M2.5X16mm Cap screw 1
M2.5 Washer 1

Insert the M3 capscrew and washer into the hole nearest the button of the microswitch with the lever facing upwards. This then screws directly into the small back of the X motor bracket next to the motor as shown below:

RepRapPro Tricolour X Endstop

Your X axis is now complete and you can move on to the next stage.

Next stage

The Z axis