mandrav's SmartCore build It's been quite some time since I first built my smartcore, back in December I believe, right after Serge posted it on g+. Since then I 've performed many updates on it, some mine, some from the evolution of the original design. Initially I created it as per the design: in a wooden box but with a twist: I added a fake "floor" to the box so that I could hide all the electronics and wiring under it. This worked a treat in terms of appearence. It was, maybe, my cleanest looking machine by far :) But, throughout my journey with it, I had a major issue: unwanted noise amplified by the wooden box... So, I decided it was time to do something about it (as always ;) ) and settled on using cheap aluminum extrusions (the plain square type). It was at around the same time, while I was evaluating my options for this idea, that madmike posted a link to thingiverse for a corner connector for the same type of aluminum square tubes I was gonna be using. What a great timing :) (thanks Mike!). Fast forward today, I present my latest smartcore build using the aluminum tubes. It started with these at hand: [attachment 56861 IMG_20150617_202746-0.jpg] With which I made the upper frame: [attachment 56862 IMG_20150617_202746-1.jpg] I added the posts that would connect the upper and lower frames: [attachment 56863 IMG_20150617_202746-2.jpg] And finally the whole frame got shape! Note that for the lower frame, I didn't use the same connectors as those I used for the upper frame. I designed instead different connectors because I wanted the lower frame to be above ground so I can mount the Z axis stepper as you 'll see in later pictures: [attachment 56864 IMG_20150617_202746-3.jpg] Quite some time later, after a few iterations of positioning and (re)arranging everything, I settled with the current design which you can see in the following pictures from various angles: [attachment 56865 IMG_20150617_202746-4.jpg] [attachment 56866 IMG_20150617_202746-5.jpg] [attachment 56867 IMG_20150617_202746-6.jpg] [attachment 56868 IMG_20150617_202746-7.jpg] All in all, I 'm very happy with the machine right now. It prints beatifully, it's quiet and very easy to service/upgrade. If someone would ask me what would be the most critical part regarding print quality with the smartcore, I 'd definitely tell them the second Z axis I 've added, in case you missed it in the photos ;). This made a world of difference for me. And since I mentioned the Z axis, I should give credits also to Jerry because I 'm using his design for the threaded rod driven Z axis (thanks Jerry!). Feel free to ask or comment on anything. I 'd be happy to hear everyone's opinion :) Yiannis. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,523665#msg-523665 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:07:36 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,622009#msg-622009 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,622009#msg-622009
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mandrav

Both bushing types you linked should work just fine.
For using them you have two options:
a) edit the jscad file to change the hole dimensions for 'head' and 'slide_y' so that the bushings you choose fit, or
b) you can search thingiverse for 'bushing adapter'. With these you will fit your bushings inside the adapter and use the adapter in place of the lm8uu/lm6uu you would otherwise use.

I finally went with option (a). But I first had tried option (b) and that didn't go too well for me... YMMV...

HTH.

If i change the parameter in _XYlmDiam variables for 8 mm will work?

Or maybe create another like "B8" for Bushings 8mm xD
I really like the parameterizable that is openscad a openjscad... but i don't know all of it xD]]> CeledaBcn Smart_Rap Fri, 05 Feb 2016 13:53:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,593768#msg-593768 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,593768#msg-593768 eviltoy Smart_Rap Mon, 07 Dec 2015 03:20:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,561403#msg-561403 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,561403#msg-561403 mandrav Smart_Rap Tue, 22 Sep 2015 03:54:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,561141#msg-561141 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,561141#msg-561141
I just posted the part to Thingiverse with some install instructions:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1026857]]> jjazzyj Smart_Rap Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:26:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560098#msg-560098 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560098#msg-560098
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eviltoy
Do you perhaps have a link to the files you used for you corner connectors and stablisers at the bottom please?

Yup, just found them!
Uploaded here :)]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:17:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560096#msg-560096 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560096#msg-560096 mandrav Smart_Rap Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:16:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560032#msg-560032 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,560032#msg-560032
I believe I have the files mandrav used and you are now looking for:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:873622
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:874283

I had them in my collections on Thingiverse and based my design on.]]> 3DFreezeMe Smart_Rap Fri, 18 Sep 2015 12:40:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,559962#msg-559962 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,559962#msg-559962
@eviltoy: I will have a look at my files and publish it, if found :)]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:59:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,559575#msg-559575 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,559575#msg-559575


]]> jjazzyj Smart_Rap Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:29:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,556851#msg-556851 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,556851#msg-556851 eviltoy Smart_Rap Fri, 11 Sep 2015 05:01:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,554059#msg-554059 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,554059#msg-554059
@Mandrav, thanks for the offer but I can't possibly ask you to do it again just for me. I was after a short cut but will give it a try myself (not super confident in openjscad yet).

Will post on my build thread if I make progress. Can't believe how quiet the bushings sound on just the rod - looking forward to a converted printer.

Ps, if anyone is interested I have plenty of spare bushings as MOQ is 100! Happy to send in UK for pennies plus postage.]]> smerrett79 Smart_Rap Fri, 04 Sep 2015 17:26:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553755#msg-553755 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553755#msg-553755
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smerrett79
Yiannis, please could you point to the lines in the code you edited to make the head accept the bushings and describe if you went for interference fit between bushing and head hole etc? Thank you

Simon, I unfortunately lost my changes during a cleanup of my disk :(
It was an easy task though and took me probably around 5 mins to make the changes. If you 're really set to go this way, I could try making the changes again (and share them this time!).
Or you could go with Mike's way. Nothing wrong with that too :)]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Fri, 04 Sep 2015 04:25:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553647#msg-553647 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553647#msg-553647
[attachment 61429 image.jpg]

[attachment 61430 image.jpg]]]> madmike8 Smart_Rap Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:46:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553630#msg-553630 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,553630#msg-553630 smerrett79 Smart_Rap Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:38:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547687#msg-547687 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547687#msg-547687
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mandrav
In my case I need the 2nd Z axis because with a single one the bed is not stable enough for me. I believe it needs a better Z carriage but it was easier for me to just add a second motor that I had lying around :)

I reused the rods as they were. No sanding/polishing. I can measure dimensions with calipers but it will have to wait for the weekend because I 'm on a deadline at work and I barely even go home these days...

Very grateful, thanks. I agree with the z carriage comment. Wish I had the spare motor lying around! Hope the rest of the week goes well.

Simon]]> smerrett79 Smart_Rap Thu, 20 Aug 2015 02:17:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547684#msg-547684 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547684#msg-547684
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MichaelBrock
Mandrav, have the two separate z-axis motors been working well for you? It is my plan to add a second z-axis carriage and saw some discussion that running two separate motors makes it difficult to keep them in sync.


Michael

@MichaelBrock, RAMPS 1.4 has two connections to the z axis driver so each stepper would receive the same power and commands. I can only imagine that this would be a problem if one side was so heavily loaded that it skipped a step and the other side didn't. I'm thinking of printing a pair of gears and using GT2 belt to mechanically couple two threaded rods (probably 8mm lead screw) and only use one stepper to drive them both.]]> smerrett79 Smart_Rap Thu, 20 Aug 2015 02:13:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547560#msg-547560 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547560#msg-547560
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MichaelBrock
Mandrav, have the two separate z-axis motors been working well for you? It is my plan to add a second z-axis carriage and saw some discussion that running two separate motors makes it difficult to keep them in sync.

Yes, no problems that I can see. Two z-motors is not uncommon either for many popular designs (think i3, Mendel, etc) so I can't see why it would be a problem for this machine :)]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Wed, 19 Aug 2015 16:08:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547555#msg-547555 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547555#msg-547555

Michael]]> MichaelBrock Smart_Rap Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:55:31 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547465#msg-547465 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547465#msg-547465 i had inverted the connector pins of axis Y.
Now is ok thanks.

I have made the first print of a cube, but the form is equal at rhombus.
Not understand why.
I noticed that the two pulleys in the "Y" direction does not run perfectly aligned.

Some idea ?

Thanks.]]> stefano Smart_Rap Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:11:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547409#msg-547409 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547409#msg-547409
I reused the rods as they were. No sanding/polishing. I can measure dimensions with calipers but it will have to wait for the weekend because I 'm on a deadline at work and I barely even go home these days...]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Wed, 19 Aug 2015 09:05:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547161#msg-547161 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547161#msg-547161
I'm about to build a new smartcore and want to reduce noise (by cutting out the middle portion of each box panel) and improve quality - specifically the ribbing that you document above being sorted by the bushings. Also, did you have to sand/polish the rods? Any chance of taking calipers to them and confirming the precise diameter?

Thank you.]]> smerrett79 Smart_Rap Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:48:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547153#msg-547153 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,547153#msg-547153 smerrett79 Smart_Rap Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:32:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,546961#msg-546961 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,546961#msg-546961 I have a problem with firmware marlin and corexy setup.
I made a new printer Smartrapcore

I had setted:

#define COREXY

#define INVERT_X_DIR true
#define INVERT_Y_DIR true


After installed firmware the axis X is ok but the axis Y work is on wrong direction and doesn't return to home

I used the firmware [github.com]
on Minitronics 1.0

somebody can help me ?

Thanks.]]> stefano Smart_Rap Tue, 18 Aug 2015 07:57:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528324#msg-528324 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528324#msg-528324
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CeledaBcn
Hi

What parameters you changed to use this bushings?

I'm planing about use this ones Bushings

I'm a bit losed with the code :S

Edit: Maybe can use this ones :S Other bushings

Both bushing types you linked should work just fine.
For using them you have two options:
a) edit the jscad file to change the hole dimensions for 'head' and 'slide_y' so that the bushings you choose fit, or
b) you can search thingiverse for 'bushing adapter'. With these you will fit your bushings inside the adapter and use the adapter in place of the lm8uu/lm6uu you would otherwise use.

I finally went with option (a). But I first had tried option (b) and that didn't go too well for me... YMMV...

HTH.]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Thu, 02 Jul 2015 08:00:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528285#msg-528285 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528285#msg-528285
What parameters you changed to use this bushings?

I'm planing about use this ones Bushings

I'm a bit losed with the code :S

Edit: Maybe can use this ones :S Other bushings]]> CeledaBcn Smart_Rap Thu, 02 Jul 2015 04:45:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528039#msg-528039 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,528039#msg-528039 rcjoseb Smart_Rap Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:33:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527874#msg-527874 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527874#msg-527874 These settings are nothing spectacular (they 're actually what I call "low-res mode") but the reason I 'm posting this is because I was amazed to see that the ringing effect was almost completely eliminated with the bushings I now use! I mean, if you see the same print back when I had the lm8uu bearings on the printer, you wouldn't believe it's the same printer :)

The new print with bushings:
[attachment 57353 IMG_20150701_124142.jpg]

The old print with lm8uu bearings:
[attachment 57354 IMG_20150701_125326.jpg]

Note: one other thing I changed is I have also put my good hotend on the machine now but I fail to see how the hotend would affect the ringing...]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Wed, 01 Jul 2015 06:20:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527446#msg-527446 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527446#msg-527446
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smerrett79
@Mandrav, thank you. Not sure I'll get those files to work for my setup (E3D Lite6) but I'm going to try something else first. Your prints look amazing! Please could you give us more detail on the bushings/rods you use?

The rods I use on this machine I reused from my i3 so they 're "standard" chromed hardened steel (I guess!).
The bushings are these. Note that this is the first time I 've used bushings for linear movement so I can't say if they're the best you could get. They work fine for me though ;)

As for the hotend mount, if you have trouble editing the files you can provide me with the dimensions of your hotend and I can adjust the file for you.]]> mandrav Smart_Rap Tue, 30 Jun 2015 05:12:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527357#msg-527357 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,527357#msg-527357 smerrett79 Smart_Rap Mon, 29 Jun 2015 18:18:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,526937#msg-526937 Re: mandrav's SmartCore build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?344,523665,526937#msg-526937 madmike8 Smart_Rap Sun, 28 Jun 2015 11:10:15 -0400