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Belt mod for MK I

Discussion in 'Original Phlatprinter MODIFICATIONS' started by KX-5, May 16, 2010.

  1. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    I know several of you have done the MK 1.5 belt mod. I've read thru some of the info and have not seen a parts list. Could someone please provide the source and part numbers for the gears and belts used for this mod? Thanks.
     
  2. 3DMON

    3DMON Moderator Staff Member

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    Mark and Trish have the belt and pulleys in their store. As far as mounting block and stuff, those you will have to make yourself.
     
  3. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    Thanks Shaun, I did not think of looking there.
     
  4. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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  5. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    Thanks for the thread info. I have read thru that one. Is the medium size pulley used to drive the y axis directly? Also looks like it is used as the return pulley. Can you show some pictures on how the belt is attached? And, did you end up using a belt drive on the Z?

    Thanks
     
  6. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep, same size pulley for drive and return. I forget if it was called Med or not. I can look at the packing list ( if I still have it) when I get home. Medium sounds right though.

    I'll try and get some pics of the belt attachment tonight. Nothing too complicated... just make sure it's all lined up.

    Nope, I still have the 12 pitch ACME rod for the Z. It would really be tight in there to retro a belt drive for the Zaxis in the MKI YZ gantry. I did get a stepper from Mark and Trish, but in the end I think it was my v ref was too low. Even with the re-worked Z axis, and new stepper, I was still getting pathetically low Z speeds. Then someone here suggested I check my v Ref for the axis. Sure enough it was really low. Once I adjusted to where it should be, all was good. Not the fastest axis on the machine, but it travels so little I don't mind. That and I mostly cut wood, so I have to back the speed down or else it pushes the wood up before poking through.
     
  7. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    This info is very helpful. Thanks. About how long is the belt for the Y axis?
     
  8. Klondar

    Klondar Member

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    For the belt, get more than you think you'll need, because even 1 inch too short and you'll be buying another section.. Don't ask how I know.... :D
     
  9. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    I got 8 feet of it, granted it was too much but for a couple bucks more it was safe insurance
     
  10. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    DOhhh, I forgot to get the pic of the belt attachment. Last night I was working on a new website for the club, and lost track of time.
    If I can find the packing list, I can let you know how much belt I got. But as Jnida63 and Klondar said, better to have way too much than being an inch short.
     
  11. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    LaVerne, a number of us have added belt drives to our MK1's. Here is a link to the photos of mine, that may give you some ideas of the parts you don't want to repeat. viewtopic.php?f=107&t=141&start=100 :oops:
     
  12. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    Thanks for all the help. Does the MKII use a belt on the Z axis? If so, are there any pictures available?
     
  13. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    The MKII does use a belt on the Z but it is completely different than the MKI.
    I was thinking of modding mine to use a belt on the Z but it is running so good right now I just can't bear to tear into it again.
     
  14. navionflyer

    navionflyer New Member

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    I think an ACME thread mod for the Z axis on the MK I would be a better solution for more speed. For the MK II Z axis check out Crash's MK II build log. He has some good pictures in there.

    Tim
     
  15. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    After putting a 3/8-12 Acme drive on my Z-axis, and consistently getting 30+ ipm in that axis, I decided not to bother changing it to a belt drive. Z motion is limited to ~2 inches of travel, and how quickly the material will ALLOW the tip to plunge, so anything over 30ipm is fairly useless IMO.
    I spent the $$ on a nice set of LEDs to illuminate the work area and a bag of lead shot for the pressure roller. :D
     
  16. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    I do agree on using Acme on the Z. My Z is working just great. What I'm trying to locate are good pictures of how the Y axis belt assembly looks. I have not done a open ended belt drive project and just don't quite see how all things connect. I have looked thru Crashes build and still just don't find a good picture of the stepper/belt/gear hookup.
     
  17. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    OK, I REALLY will try and get some pics tonight.
    Nothing too complicated though. I just used the belt clamps that mark and Trish sell to clamp the open end of the belt to the gantry. Just make sure it is in line with the pulley, and there are no obstructions in the path. I think I had to shim the clamp a bit to make sure it was in line. That and make sure you have some way of adjusting tension. I built mine with what I had laying around. Others have done the same and we ended up with very similar tensioning "devices"
     
  18. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    I don't think I've ever seen good photos of that area, either. Maybe it's a "trade secret", or maybe it's so "buried" in the rest of the structure that getting a good photo is not possible.
     
  19. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    Here is a basic drawing of how I did mine, the red block on the back of the Z gantry is the clamp that secures to the Z gantry

    Attached files [​IMG] belt mod.skp (435.8 KB)Â
     
  20. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    OOOHHH! "good pictures of how the Y axis belt assembly looks" - - Don't the pictures from my thread show enough?
    Actually, many of the guys put their stepper and idler pulley outside the box, to allow more direct tensioning of the belt and better control of the perpendicularity of the idler shaft to the belt.
     
  21. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    My stepper and Idler is outside the box also, I really think once people get the parts from Mark and start, they will see how simple it really is to do, I did mine in under 3 hours start to finish.
     
  22. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    Jeff, that was the picture I needed! :!: :) Now, Dennis's pictures clicked for me. I was making it too complicated. It must be all the corn here in Iowa that fogs the brain. I really appreciate all of you guy's help on this. Now I have a plan. :idea:
     
  23. Anonymous

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    LaVerne, I'm glad I stopped confusing you. Maybe if I'd read more carefully in the first place . . . . :oops:
     

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