Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades

Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades The main FT 2020 is so big I thought I would start a thread dedicated to a more advanced level of mods and upgrades, specifically those created by Sunny Lowe. I am tweaking the X-axis now and will be adding the Y-axis with a 200 x 300mm bed next. I have enjoyed my FT 2020 for some time now, it is constantly being upgraded as I can not stop tinkering with it. One of my most recent upgrades was to Sunny Lowe's V-rail X-Axis setup (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1285301). Here is my printer with the new setup: [attachment 79713 IMG_20160611_145534.jpg] I noticed with this setup, by placing the stepper in front of the gantry carriage this creates a rather long lever that pulls on the gantry with a bit of a twist, I'm sure the derlin wheels can tolerate this just fine, but it also lowers the nozzle of the hotend a bit. I believe if I move the gantry to the top of the 2020 extrusion this would move the center of mass for the carriage to directly over the weight bearing surfaces of the wheels and raise the nozzle significantly. Because the extrusion sits so far in front of the main support arches, the stepper can move up the Z axis without hitting the horizontal brace. By my measurements this would add approximately 46mm of movement in the Z-axis. Here is a quick TinkerCad of what I'm thinking. [attachment 79712 quarterview.png][attachment 79714 back.png] I still need to workout a few issues with making the new mount/extruder stronger and printable in 1 piece. I also will loose the ability to mount the centrifugal fan and will need to come up with another cooling solution. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674044#msg-674044 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:25:16 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,682397#msg-682397 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,682397#msg-682397

Quote
Brotherbrown831
i just added a simple bit of Gcode to the startup script in my slicer. Very simple to do. The bed takes about the same time to heat up, is uses a larger heater pcb, i would say any larger than this and I would recommend a 120v heater on a relay.

here is my start Gcode:
G90 ;absolute positioning
M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ;start with the fan off
G28 X0 Y0 ;move X/Y to min endstops
G29
M117 Cleaning...;Put Cleaning message on screen
G1 Y304.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length
G1 F200 E15 ;extrude 3mm of feed stock
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X80 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed.
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 F{travel_speed}
;Put printing message on LCD screen
M117 Printing...

Thanks I may have to try the brush. Looks like a brass brush right?]]> msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 28 Jun 2016 23:45:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,681082#msg-681082 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,681082#msg-681082
here is my start Gcode:
G90 ;absolute positioning
M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ;start with the fan off
G28 X0 Y0 ;move X/Y to min endstops
G29
M117 Cleaning...;Put Cleaning message on screen
G1 Y304.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length
G1 F200 E15 ;extrude 3mm of feed stock
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X80 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X25 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 X100 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform back of bed
G1 F{travel_speed}
;Put printing message on LCD screen
M117 Printing...]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 27 Jun 2016 23:08:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677939#msg-677939 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677939#msg-677939 msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Fri, 24 Jun 2016 23:06:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677766#msg-677766 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677766#msg-677766 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FYDEOEK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was a very simple upgrade, the new Y-axis give enough range of movement to not only print on the entire 300cm of bed but also enough to go beyond 300cm to the nozzle cleaner I installed on the back of the bed.
[attachment 80295 IMG_20160624_071454.jpg]]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Fri, 24 Jun 2016 08:50:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677590#msg-677590 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677590#msg-677590 msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:54:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677248#msg-677248 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,677248#msg-677248
[attachment 80244 IMG_20160622_161159.jpg]]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:06:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,676166#msg-676166 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,676166#msg-676166
With it all together what is the tallest thing you can print now? Do you know how much you gained?

I will defiantly be using your idea if I do the Z axis having the plate on top of the rail makes the most sense. That fan is a good find I still don't have a part cooling fan because I can never figure out how to mount it and have the duct be in the right place. With that setup you have some room to move it around to get the best placement.]]> msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Sun, 19 Jun 2016 22:37:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,676161#msg-676161 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,676161#msg-676161 I used this extruder: [www.thingiverse.com]
and this flexible blower hose: [www.thingiverse.com]

Here you can see the 90 degree bracket that bolts to the rear of the stepper
[attachment 80089 IMG_20160619_085232.jpg]

The trigger for the X endtop OPTO is built into the mount for the proximity sensor.
[attachment 80090 IMG_20160619_085223.jpg]

The end result is a very compact and effecient package with lots of room for expansion:
[attachment 80091 IMG_20160619_085218.jpg]

My parts arrive for the Y-Axis tomorrow, I am seriously considering increasing the height of the Z while I'm working on the Y-axis. Since i will have to rebuild my enclosure anyway, I may as well make it taller.]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Sun, 19 Jun 2016 21:21:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,675421#msg-675421 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,675421#msg-675421
[attachment 79943 IMG_20160616_211721.jpg]
[attachment 79945 IMG_20160617_071022.jpg]
[attachment 79944 IMG_20160617_071031.jpg]
[attachment 79942 IMG_20160616_211741.jpg]]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Fri, 17 Jun 2016 09:58:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674475#msg-674475 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674475#msg-674475
You could still mount it on the face and have the extruder separate from the mount. I only say that because then it could be used with other extruders like the stock one, a titan, or a bulldog or something else.

I think one of those metal brackets they are using to mount the Z motors could work. They appear to be about the same size as the mini gantry plate openbuilds is selling.]]> msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 14 Jun 2016 23:06:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674472#msg-674472 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674472#msg-674472
As for separating the mount and the extruder, most secure mounting point it the stepper motor face, if the mount attached to say the back of the stepper using a 90 degree bracket then the extruder could mount to the front, that would work but it would be highly dependent on the exact length of the stepper used. By using the front face of the stepper for both the mount and the extruder the length of the stepper is not important. I am printing the last few pieces now and plan to rotate the X-axis tomorrow after work.

I had to change the proximity sensor location and fan setup, not sure I love this arrangement but those can me moved around anytime.
[attachment 79778 pp.png]]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 14 Jun 2016 22:55:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674458#msg-674458 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674458#msg-674458
Instead of having the mount integrated into the extruder have you thought about just making something to mount the motor on the plate and mount a separate extruder to the motor. You would just need something like a 90 degree plate to mount the motor.]]> msaeger Prusa i3 and variants Tue, 14 Jun 2016 20:08:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674049#msg-674049 Re: Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674049#msg-674049
[attachment 79715 single.png]]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:42:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674044#msg-674044 Folger Tech 2020 V-Rail Upgrades https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?406,674044,674044#msg-674044
I have enjoyed my FT 2020 for some time now, it is constantly being upgraded as I can not stop tinkering with it. One of my most recent upgrades was to Sunny Lowe's V-rail X-Axis setup (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1285301).

Here is my printer with the new setup:
[attachment 79713 IMG_20160611_145534.jpg]

I noticed with this setup, by placing the stepper in front of the gantry carriage this creates a rather long lever that pulls on the gantry with a bit of a twist, I'm sure the derlin wheels can tolerate this just fine, but it also lowers the nozzle of the hotend a bit. I believe if I move the gantry to the top of the 2020 extrusion this would move the center of mass for the carriage to directly over the weight bearing surfaces of the wheels and raise the nozzle significantly. Because the extrusion sits so far in front of the main support arches, the stepper can move up the Z axis without hitting the horizontal brace. By my measurements this would add approximately 46mm of movement in the Z-axis.

Here is a quick TinkerCad of what I'm thinking.
[attachment 79712 quarterview.png][attachment 79714 back.png]

I still need to workout a few issues with making the new mount/extruder stronger and printable in 1 piece. I also will loose the ability to mount the centrifugal fan and will need to come up with another cooling solution.]]> Brotherbrown831 Prusa i3 and variants Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:13:53 -0400