AM8 - Reinforced X Tensioner (using motor pulley)

thingiverse

*Note: This is only a tiny part of my AM8 upgrades. You can find the links to the other parts at the bottom of the description. There's an upgraded x axis available, made especially for this tensioner: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3016379* About ===== This upgrade was made because my toothed 16T idlers were dying away very fast. I was looking for a more robust, easy to build and rigid solution for a proper X tensioner. I made two versions: one is symmetric (idler sits symmetric between the X rods) and an assymetric version (idler sits 2mm higher or lower, depending on the mounting orientation). **Note: This X upgrade is available with 45mm and 46mm spacing of the X rods. Choose 46mm for AM8/Anet A8 and 45mm for Prusa-like printers.** BOM ==== You will need these parts additionally to the printed ones: 1x 16T or 20T Motor pulley (the same like on the actual motor) with 5mm bore 2x 625 bearing (5mm ID, 16mm OD, 4mm wide) either 625ZZ or 625-2RS 2x M4 DIN 934 nuts 2x M4x30 ISO 4762 (or any other M4 screw type) 1x 5mm Shaft, 30mm long (i bought 5mm thick steel in a local hardware store); DIN7 dowel pins would also work. The pulley i use has the following dimensions: height 14mm, belt width: 6mm, bore 5mm. Any 16T pulley should fit. Remix & Sources ============== There are STEP sources available in the files section. Happy to see improvements and remixes of this Y rework :) Assembly Instructions ================= 1. Put the two 625 bearings into the corresponding holes. 2. Slide the shaft through the first bearing 3. insert the pulley inbetween the bearings (pay attention to the orientation!) 4. slide the shaft through the pulley and the second bearing 5. make sure everything fits nice and snug. 6. tighten the pulley onto the shaft. This will make sure everything stays in place. 7. Insert the M4 nuts and M4 screws 8. Assembly like any other X tensioner on the printer. Version History ============ 02/08/2018: Added 45mm spacing files for compatibility with prusa printers. ------ You might also want to have a look at: my reinforced Z axis with 12mm linear rods https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2971922 my Y axis 12mm upgrade https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3016011 my horizontal Y belt upgrade https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2970681 my SC8UU compatible 12mm housings for sinter bearings: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3016075 The upgraded X axis with 12mm rods https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3016379