Ultimate AM8 X Holders With Tensioner

Description

A further upgraded version of my X holders, now newly installed on my printer. Designed for the Anet A8 / AM8 geometry. Includes a tensioner. WARNING 1: These parts need supports to be placed in a very specific spot. Please check the screenshot of the model in Cura to see what I mean by this. Only the parts not grayed out should have supports. Mainly, these are the parts that make the smooth rod tighteners. More on this below. WARNING 2: These parts have quite a tight fit for the smooth rods. The internal diameter of the holes is 8.3mm, while the rods are 8mm, so keep this in mind when printing in case you need to adjust some tolerance parameters. **Features** * Similar in geometry to the original Anet A8 X holders. Should be a drop-in replacement. * Improvement to my [previous design](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2757045): * Added X smooth rod tighteners on both holders for a tighter fit. * Cleaned up the geometry. * Various tolerance readjustments. * Should be compatible with stock leadscrew nuts and/or E3D POM nuts. NOTE: I haven't included a design for the E3D Anti-Backlash Nuts, as they are simply not needed. My tests have shown that the weight of the whole assembly will generally be heavy enough to simply make it unnecessary. * Includes my remixed [Improved Anet A8 / AM8 X Tensioner](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4192900), but slightly adjusted for a better fit. **Required Components** * **Holder Parts:** * 2x **Leadscrew Nut** - Stock Anet A8 ones work, E3D POM nuts work, etc. I use the E3D POM nuts which come with the E3D Integrated Leadscrew Motors. [Link (e3d-online.com)](https://e3d-online.com/leadscrew-motor-with-pom-nut) * 2x **LM8LUU Linear Bearing** - Most Chinese brandless ones work, but expect some play. I personally use Misumi branded ones to eliminate all play. [Link (uk.misumi-ec.com)](https://uk.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/110302578040/?HissuCode=LMUWR8&PNSearch=LMUWR8&KWSearch=LMUWR8&searchFlow=results2type) * 2x **Smooth Rod: 436mm length, 8mm diameter** - You can obviously use the stock Anet A8 ones but expect some play. I use the Misumi branded rods. [Link (uk.misumi-ec.com)](https://uk.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/110302634310/?PNSearch=PSSFU8-436&HissuCode=PSSFU8-436&searchFlow=suggest2products&Keyword=PSSFU8-436) * 3x **M3x25 screw, button head** OR **M3x22 screw, button head** - These are for mounting the motor on the left holder. Use the longer screws if you are using my [Ultimate Hemera Anet A8 / AM8 Carriage For LM8LUU With Chain](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4179315). * 4x **M3x20 screw, hex head** - Used for tightening the smooth rods. * 4x **M3 nut, hex shaped** - Same as above. * 4x **M3x16 screw, hex head** - Used for tightening the leadscrew nuts. * *Optional* 4x **M3 nut, hex shaped** - You may need this if your leadscrew nuts don't have a built in thread, like the stock Anet A8 ones. * 2x **2.5mm 12mm long wood screw, countersunk** - Used to fixate the X endstop. * **Tensioner Parts:** * 1x **Original Anet A8 idler** - Kinda obvious. * 2x **M4x30+ screw** - Used for tensioning. 30 mm length minimum, but you may use longer. Any head shape works. * 2x **M4 nuts, hex shaped** - Same as above, used for tensioning. * 1x **M3x20 screw, countersunk** - Used as axle for the idler. * 1x **M3 nut, hex shaped** - Used to tighten the idler screw. **Parts To Print:** * Print everything. **Printing Instructions** * **The holder blocks need special attention when placing supports.** For easier removal, supports should ONLY be added to the part of the blocks where the smooth rod tighteners are located. Please check the 5th screenshot from Cura on this upload to see what I mean. The grayed parts don't need any supports, but the area within them needs. The tensioner doesn't need any supports. * These parts have quite a tight fit for the smooth rods. The internal diameter of the holes is 8.3mm, while the rods are 8mm, so keep this in mind when printing in case you need to adjust some tolerance parameters. * Print all parts exactly as already oriented to maximize quality, strength and ease of printing. * You may use 20% infill for all parts. * You may print all parts at 0.2mm layer height. **Assembly Instructions** 1. Print out all of the parts and remove supports as needed. Make sure that the smooth rod holes are completely clean of any supports. 2. Push fit the LM8LUU bearings into the two bearing holders. It is tight and should be. Use a flat head screw driver to open the fittings apart a bit so it inserts easier. 3. Push the M3x20 hex screws through the two smooth rod tightening holes and add nuts on the other side. Do not tighten them yet, but screw just enough so it doesn't fall apart. 4. Add the leadscrew nuts to the top of the holders. Use M3x16 hex screws with M3 nuts for tightening or use just screws if your nuts are prethreaded like the E3D POM nuts are. I suggest inserting the screws from the bottom. 5. Guide/push the two holders on the leadscrews and smooth rods. Lower their height. 6. Insert the two horizontal smooth rods and thread them through whatever X carriage you are using. They need to be pushed all the way through the idler holder, the carriage and into the motor holder. 7. Balance the height of the two holders. I personally use something like a big plastic block between the holders and the bottom motor brackets to make sure both left and right ones are on the same height. 8. Tighten the smooth rods using the tightening screws on the front. I am not sure if it is possible to overtighten, but maybe it is best not to take your chances. 9. Thread the belt through both of the holders so it is available for the next steps. 10. Add the M4 screws and nuts to the belt tensioner. 11. Thread the belt through the tensioner and loop it around the idler pulley. Finish assembling the tensioner using the M3x20 countersunk screw and nut to fix the pulley. 12. Push the tensioner into the idler holder. 13. Loop the belt around the motor on the other side. Tighten the motor using three M3x22 screw or three M3x25 screws if you are using my [Ultimate Hemera Anet A8 / AM8 Carriage For LM8LUU With Chain](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4179315). 14. Fixate the X endstop using the wood screws. I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions or found some issues, be sure to comment! I will see what I can do! As usual, I have also included the Blender file in case you want to edit it further.

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