J) X/Y Steppers and Idlers

Written By: Ben Withem (and one other contributor)
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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

01:00:00

Sections

1

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  1. Attach the front stepper mount to the top of the frame using (4) m3 x 8mm socket head screws.

    • Attach the front stepper mount to the top of the frame using (4) m3 x 8mm socket head screws.

    Edit

  2. Attach one of the 0.9 degree NEMA 17 steppers to the front idler mount using (4) m3 x 8mm socket head screws.

    • Attach one of the 0.9 degree NEMA 17 steppers to the front idler mount using (4) m3 x 8mm socket head screws.

    • The wiring connector should point towards the side panel of the machine.

    Edit

  3. Install (1) 16t pulleys onto the stepper shaft with the teeth facing down. There are two set screws, be sure one of them is against the flat of the stepper shaft.

    • Install (1) 16t pulleys onto the stepper shaft with the teeth facing down. There are two set screws, be sure one of them is against the flat of the stepper shaft.

    • Don't overtighten the set screws, you'll need to adjust the pulley height to align the belt later

    Edit

  4. Attach the rear stepper mount to the top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8socket head screws.

    • Attach the rear stepper mount to the top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8socket head screws.

    • Don't overtighten them - you'll need to be able to adjust the position of the idler mount to align the belts later.

    Edit

  5. Attach one of the 0.9 degree NEMA 17 steppers to the front idler mount using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws.

    • Attach one of the 0.9 degree NEMA 17 steppers to the front idler mount using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws.

    Edit

  6. Install one of the 16t pulleys onto the stepper shaft with the teeth facing up. There are two set screws, be sure one of them is against the flat of the stepper shaft.

    • Install one of the 16t pulleys onto the stepper shaft with the teeth facing up. There are two set screws, be sure one of them is against the flat of the stepper shaft.

    • Don't overtighten the set screws, you'll need to adjust the pulley height to align the belt later

    Edit

  7. Building the idler stacks is very similar to how the stacks were built for the Y carriage stacks. There are photos to accompany this step in the next step. For the front idler, the stack for the outside bolt is the short stack. Turn a 12mm shoulder bolt upside down and install (1) M5 washer, then (1) M5 shim. Next add the 20T idler, then lastly (1) M5 shim.

    • Building the idler stacks is very similar to how the stacks were built for the Y carriage stacks.

    • There are photos to accompany this step in the next step.

    • For the front idler, the stack for the outside bolt is the short stack. Turn a 12mm shoulder bolt upside down and install (1) M5 washer, then (1) M5 shim. Next add the 20T idler, then lastly (1) M5 shim.

    • You want to be sure the total stack is just slightly below the shoulder on the shoulder bolt. If there is room for another shim, take the last shim and pulley off, and put the extra shim on before the pulley.

    • Install the shorter idler stack in the outside hole on the idler mount.

    • For the front idler, the stack for the inside bolt is the tall stack. Turn a bolt upside down and install (3) M5 washers, then (1) M5 shim. Next add the 20T idler, then lastly (1) M5 shim.

    • You want to be sure the total stack is just slightly below the shoulder on the shoulder bolt. If there is room for another shim or washer, take the last shim and pulley off, and put the extra shim on before the pulley. If you can fit an extra washer, be sure to put it on before the first shim.

    • Install the taller idler stack in the inside hole on the idler mount.

    Edit

  8. The rear idler mount is assembled the same way as the front, however the orientation of the two shoulder bolts is reversed.

    • The rear idler mount is assembled the same way as the front, however the orientation of the two shoulder bolts is reversed.

    Edit

  9. Attach the front idler mount to the left side of the top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws. Don't overtighten them - you'll need to be able to adjust the position of the idler mount to align the belts later. Attach the rear idler mount to the rear left top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws. Don't overtighten them - you'll need to be able to adjust the position of the idler mount to align the belts later.

    • Attach the front idler mount to the left side of the top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws. Don't overtighten them - you'll need to be able to adjust the position of the idler mount to align the belts later.

    • Attach the rear idler mount to the rear left top of the frame using (4) M3 x 8 socket head screws. Don't overtighten them - you'll need to be able to adjust the position of the idler mount to align the belts later.

    Edit
Finish Line

One other person completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Ben Withem

Member since: 01/02/2022

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