Instructions improvement suggestions Please post your feedback and/or suggestions for improvements of the instructions here, or email them to me on support at reprappro dot com Thanks! Ian RepRapPro https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,285560#msg-285560 Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:13:47 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,383401#msg-383401 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,383401#msg-383401
regards
Andy]]> kwikius Ormerod Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:42:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,383354#msg-383354 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,383354#msg-383354
1) Remove X-axis motor (instructions could be changed to remove the fitting of this motor in an earlier step).

[attachment 36618 1a.jpg]

2) Fold the belt in half (-ish). Push it through the hole where the motor was.

[attachment 36619 2a.jpg]

3) Put the toothed pulley into the loop of the belt.

[attachment 36620 3a.jpg]

4) Pull the pulley into place, using the belt. Rotate the pulley so that the grub screw is facing away from the hot end direction.

[attachment 36621 4a.jpg]

[attachment 36622 5a.jpg]

[attachment 36623 6a.jpg]

5) Push the motor spindle into the pulley, note that you have a flat edge on the spindle to line up with the pulley's grub screw.

[attachment 36624 7a.jpg]

[attachment 36625 8a.jpg]

6) Loosely attach the motor to the adjustable motor mount.

7) Do up the grub screw.

[attachment 36626 9a.jpg]

8) Place the belt around the bearing and fit into the belt holder.

9) Pull the motor to get the correct belt tension and tighten the motor mounts screws.

Hope this helps many of you out there.

I just finished building my first printer yesterday and have tried to incorporate many of the tweaks into the initial construction as possible.
It has been nice being able to give something back to all of you helpful people :-)]]> Mr_Bodge_It Ormerod Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:06:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,320029#msg-320029 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,320029#msg-320029
Flyskyhy: Thanks, I'll take a look.

Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> droftarts Ormerod Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:23:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,319843#msg-319843 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,319843#msg-319843 Tips from a newby]]> Flyskyhy Ormerod Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:39:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,319086#msg-319086 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,319086#msg-319086 I looked in the instructions to find out what size the screws were, but took one out in the end.
Kim..]]> KimBrown Ormerod Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:19:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318990#msg-318990 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318990#msg-318990
The pdfs on that github site are the instructions from the old version of the website, and are missing the page that has the firmware flashing instructions. The current site has these on the 'maintenance' page.

Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> droftarts Ormerod Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:54:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318739#msg-318739 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318739#msg-318739
Ray]]> rayhicks Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:54:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318732#msg-318732 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318732#msg-318732
[github.com]]]> KP Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:45:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318720#msg-318720 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318720#msg-318720
Quote
KP
I'm convinced I found separate PDFs for each section on GitHub in the last two days but now I can't find them.


Kev.


Interesting Kev - be useful to have I'll look as well (github's a bit of a labyrinth though, lots of familiar looking paths that end up as dead ends when you try to refind something, must remember to take some string next time:))

Ray]]> rayhicks Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:27:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318714#msg-318714 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318714#msg-318714

Kev.]]> KP Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:21:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318706#msg-318706 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318706#msg-318706
Ray]]> rayhicks Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:13:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318703#msg-318703 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,318703#msg-318703
I looked for a PDF but couldn't find anything, trying to build something with the instructions on a PC screen on the other side of the room was very hard!]]> Davek0974 Ormerod Sun, 02 Mar 2014 16:09:38 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294357#msg-294357 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294357#msg-294357
You are correct, maybe this has to wait until the precompiled version is fixed?

I had some trouble while installing the non-precompiled version of Pronterface,
there were errors in the process when trying to install without admin privileges...

The software readme did not tell me that I needed to start installers with admin privileges, and Windows Vista did not ask.

Step 3 blew up in my face with a not so obvious error message: "the process has been stopped" (Or something like that)
Step 5 is hard for non-tech persons, I had to start a command prompt as administrator and manually enter an install command...

Oh, and for step 5 I needed to manually add python to the path, but that could be a silly mistake I made...]]> 3D-ES Ormerod Tue, 14 Jan 2014 04:12:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294345#msg-294345 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294345#msg-294345
Quote
3D-ES
Hi Ian!

The printing instructions probably need to be updated:

Quote

Printing from the SD card

You may have noticed that, so far, all printing is done from the SD card. This is the preferred way of printing. It is possible to print directly from Pronterface (ie load gcode files into Pronterface and press print), but the serial communication is slow. The printer will pause a lot during printing, and the printed part will not be of good quality.

I am happy to report that this no longer seems to be true :)

- except that at present, for good USB printing you need to be running the non-precompiled version of Pronterface (which is quite tedious to install because of all the dependencies), and to patch it. Or be running Repetier instead..]]> dc42 Ormerod Tue, 14 Jan 2014 03:51:00 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294337#msg-294337 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294337#msg-294337
The printing instructions probably need to be updated:

Quote

Printing from the SD card

You may have noticed that, so far, all printing is done from the SD card. This is the preferred way of printing. It is possible to print directly from Pronterface (ie load gcode files into Pronterface and press print), but the serial communication is slow. The printer will pause a lot during printing, and the printed part will not be of good quality.

I am happy to report that this no longer seems to be true :)]]> 3D-ES Ormerod Tue, 14 Jan 2014 03:40:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294201#msg-294201 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294201#msg-294201
Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> droftarts Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 18:44:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294169#msg-294169 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294169#msg-294169 rayhicks Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:31:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294088#msg-294088 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294088#msg-294088
With the instructions, it's a tricky balance between giving instructions how to do something, and the why. Because a 3D printer is quite a complicated thing, you need to know quite a lot of the 'why', but it can make the instructions very, very long. We're working on getting the balance right...

Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> droftarts Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:29:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294073#msg-294073 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294073#msg-294073 rayhicks Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:01:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294053#msg-294053 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294053#msg-294053
Quote
Treth
So is the inside of the union a counter sink?
I had presumed the pencil sharpener used on the end of the tube was just to get the thread started, but now see that the hole is drilled and will have a countersink.
My tube was simply slightly shaved and went in very easily, I did put a slight mark on the tube to check it went about 10mm and there have been no printing issues.

I haven't looked at the latest build instructions and as I started the beginning of December I guess these are now more detailed...

Yes, great picture kwikius, thanks.

Beware placing too much accuracy on my drawing. ( The thread lib slowed OpenSCAD to crawl, one mouse move took a couple of minutes, on my netbook so I didnt get it as good as I would like) so I would advise also refering people to the section drawing of the part. Source files attached for anyone with a quicker PC wants to have a go at improving it ( You could render the thread on the bowden-end module for example)

[attachment 24689 bowden_end.scad]

You also need this (courtesy of Dan Kirshner ) [attachment 24690 threads.scad]

regards
Andy]]> kwikius Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:03:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294052#msg-294052 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294052#msg-294052 I had presumed the pencil sharpener used on the end of the tube was just to get the thread started, but now see that the hole is drilled and will have a countersink.
My tube was simply slightly shaved and went in very easily, I did put a slight mark on the tube to check it went about 10mm and there have been no printing issues.

I haven't looked at the latest build instructions and as I started the beginning of December I guess these are now more detailed...

Yes, great picture kwikius, thanks.]]> Treth Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:50:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294043#msg-294043 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,294043#msg-294043
Quote
reprappro
The whole hot end section is due for a rewrite, with new pictures. It's quite easy to tell if you've gone far enough into the Bowden tube union; if you take the brass union back off, the thread on the PTFE should be 10mm long.

Ian
RepRapPro tech support

That is useful information, so hope you add it to the documentation. (Maybe suggest a piece of masking tape at 10 mm or whatever to tell when you have gone in (not tested until I get my new bits !)

Quote
reprappro
PS Great picture, kwikius! The trouble is, most people can't see inside the brass union!

Ian
RepRapPro tech support

Feel free to add the picture to the documentation, until you get something better. When I built mine I didnt have much idea what I was trying to achieve so a picture and ideally a link to the drawings of the part would also be good.

regards
Andy]]> kwikius Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:42:34 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293996#msg-293996 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293996#msg-293996
Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> reprappro Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:18:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293995#msg-293995 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293995#msg-293995
Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> reprappro Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:16:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293986#msg-293986 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293986#msg-293986
Quote
kwikius
In the Hot end assembly section. I think a link to the drawing of the bowden end or a section through with PTFE bowden inserted and finished,would help greatly to help understand what we are trying to achieve. Will try and do a diagram and see if I have it right now!

regards
Andy

Picture attached

[attachment 24673 bowden_end_with_tube_inserted.png]

Hope that is it!

regards
Andy]]> kwikius Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:09:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293889#msg-293889 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293889#msg-293889 Hot end assembly section. I think a link to the drawing of the bowden end or a section through with PTFE bowden inserted and finished,would help greatly to help understand what we are trying to achieve. Will try and do a diagram and see if I have it right now!

regards
Andy]]> kwikius Ormerod Mon, 13 Jan 2014 08:14:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293713#msg-293713 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293713#msg-293713
Quote
droftarts
Please post your feedback and/or suggestions for improvements of the instructions here, or email them to me on support at reprappro dot com

Thanks!

Ian
RepRapPro

Hi Ian,
easy.... easy......easy!

I want it so easy that even a blind man can mount the printer!
Obviously with the help of the Braille.
I'm not kidding ... I'm printing a replica and would love to send it to a blind friend.
Although the printer is blind and needs us to know where is the bed.
Help me ... everyone has the right to have this printer.
500 biological computers are better than one, and mine is not the last;)
You can imagine the Braille printed?
please help
Ian .......easy, very easy!

Dario]]> Ormerod187 Ormerod Sun, 12 Jan 2014 17:01:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293421#msg-293421 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,293421#msg-293421 A few suggestions for the instructions:
Required equipment:
Please include the Pencil Sharpener in the list of required equipment, so that it can be procured before the build is started!
Also, specify a 2.5 mm long Allen driver (the traditional 'L' shaped one is very tricky to use on the Y carriage mounts), as a someone has mentioned in the above posts.
Looms:
Some labelled pictures of the different looms would be helpful. The instructions identify the looms by length, but the ones supplied are usually just a tad longer than the stated lengths. The loom I have for the sensor proximity sensor doesn't want to attach to the proximity sensor pins.... I suspect I will have to shave the flanges off the connector.
Variations:
Perhaps a page of the instructions could include a list of parts variations? There are two that come to mind: The 'z-runner-mount' supplied (and shown in the STL) is different to the one pictured in the instructions. Also, the X-Axis-Rib I received doesn't have the protrusion that engages with the vertical threaded rod nut, and instead it engages with a variation of the 'z-nut-trap'. All okay.
Tips:
Perhaps a list of top tips from fellow builders can be distilled from these forums? (It can take a while to scan through the forums in the middle of a build!)
The first thing I would print for another builder is a stepped tray to allow quick access to different lengths of M3 screws!

Kind regards.]]> Dave_Longdown Ormerod Sun, 12 Jan 2014 06:40:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,292906#msg-292906 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,292906#msg-292906
Many thanks for the feedback. I'm (hopefully) doing some instructions updates this weekend and next week, so I will take what you said into account. The hot end page is one that needs rewriting to match the earlier instructions, and the updates since the first kits also need to be properly explained.

Ian
RepRapPro tech support]]> droftarts Ormerod Sat, 11 Jan 2014 07:09:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,292903#msg-292903 Re: Instructions improvement suggestions https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?340,285560,292903#msg-292903
All in all: Nice job putting together the kit like that and making the assembly instructions easy to follow! My suggestions are mostly really about the minor details, and some of my concerns might be due to me taking the text too literally (but then, so might others without prior experience).

I'm wondering why some of the wires, like the connection for the thermistor, were pre-crimped, whereas the power wires, that seem to be really safety critical, were not and even requires special tools to do right...

The Y endstop wire connections have a hard time staying on the microswitch terminals. If there is a trick to that, it would be nice to know.

The supplied MXL belt was shorter than in the instructions. Thus, when I was instructed to cut 710mm off, leaving 990mm, and measured twice, I found out that I would end up with only 960mm. This turned out to not be a problem in the end, but caused some worry and made me wait until after the Y axis belt was in place before risking the cut.

The exact placement of the Y motor pulley on the axis is not mentioned.

X rib has been redesigned since the image in the instructions were made -- I thought mine had been damaged when I saw the one in the image.

The redesigned Z-runner-mount somehow didn't fit in the X rib -- like if it had a couple of washers too many. I had to file a bit in the rib, which I assume isn't supposed to be done. Also, the instructions don't mention the redesigned mount until the bottom of the next page, and it never says how to use it instead of kapton tape for adjustment (which I suppose is the purpose).

The X axis motor is shown with the power connector at two different angles in different photos.

During X axis mouting, in one picture it says " ...and do up the screws, but not tight", followed by "Now tighten the bearing mount screws.". I suppose it's the same screws you mean?

When mounting the X axis I found an electric screwdriver with a hex key to be a much better way to get the screws in - my screw driver hand is still exhausted from trying with allen keys - and invaluable in getting the nut in the deep hole onto the upper screw.

The first image of the airflow section is taken from an angle that makes it seem as if there is only one piece of duct used, and that the cooling block sits below the heatsink. It took quite some time and studying of other images to find out that it was actually the assembled set. Suggest a photo taken slightly from the side to clarify.

There are different photos of the hotend wiring suggesting different ways to to it -- the text suggests running a cable tie through the heatsing, but later a photo shows the wiring without a cable tie at all -- or, as I deduced, with the tie in the hole on the corner of the assembly facing the motor? There are plenty of ways to assemble this where the cables end up being of too different lengths to fit nicely in the plug, so...

Wiring: The text refers to the proximity sensor, but the small bag it arrives in calls it the Z probe loom. In any case I found that the wires need to be connected before it is screwed in place.

The single wire from the sensor that has to go to the upper connector on the Duet is sitting on pin number 9 from the right -- right? ;-)

If you cut a bit along the wire harness on that one, it doesn't pull on the Duet lid as much.

The heatbed wiring might be improved by some measurements. I found that there is a cutout in the Duet lid, but when following that, the cable would end up just under the "foot" of the printer instead of passing right by it. Suggest folding instructions with measurements.

When getting to the initial connection and firmware upgrade, I (also) misread the firmware upgrade instructions in a was that caused me to download the firmware .bin file directly using a browser that didn't recognize it as HTML, thus wasting about an hour retrying the process. Suggest combining the firmware and SD card steps so that the ZIP containing both is used for the firmware right away, or at least mentioning the correct way to download on the firmware upgrade page.


Regards,

Allan]]> ZeAllan Ormerod Sat, 11 Jan 2014 07:01:00 -0500