Ultimate Stiffness Y Axis Tensioner and pulley for Wanhao Duplicator i3
Description
The Y-axis on the i3 machines have far too much compliance giving rise to ringing artefacts - Very apparent when the printhead has to negotiate sharp turns/corners. There are 2 key sources for this compliance: 1. Spring style belt tensioners - these work intrinsically by introducing compliance (bad idea)! 2. The flimsy idler pulley mount. The narrow base, tall geometry and sheet metal mounting all rob rigidity. Existing tensioners on Thingiverse do away with the stock spring tensioner but does not solve the pulley flex problem. Furthermore, running the higher tension puts even more load onto the flimsy pulley mount. Fed up with the poor solutions, I set about designing a complete tensioner system with MAXIMUM stiffness. It uses the conveniently positioned stock vertical flange as a longitudinal brace/web that provides extreme rigidity. This part will provide you the following benefits: 1. The highest possible Y-axis stiffness and therefore lowest associated ringing artefacts (I would combine this with reduced Jerk settings for best results) 2. Very easy belt tensioning via adjustment screw. 3. Zero increase in moving mass of the Y-axis Notes on installation: Two 3mm holes need to be drilled to allow the tensioner block to attach/brace onto the long sheet metal flange. This is best done whilst the block is in situ to ensure correct alignment/placement of the holes. However due to clearance it is awkward to do this. The best method is to provisionally install in situ with thin double sided tape attaching the block onto the flange. Then the block and flange can be removed from the 3D printer as an assembly and easily drilled on the bench. This way the holes will be perfectly positioned. Note the nut inserted into the arm to accept the tension adjuster bolt needs to be a nylock nut to prevent self-loosening.
Statistics
Likes
9
Downloads
0