Alternative to timing belts

NuclearNerd

Alternative to timing belts
February 28, 2011 12:18AM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 27

Question: do the timing belts used in the reprap x/y/z axes present problems for anyone in terms of cost / sourcing or performance?

If so, a cable reel like the following might be of interest. I think something like that could be printed relatively easily. The only potential issue might be the (small?) error caused by the cable movement along the reel.

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NuclearNerd

Re: Alternative to timing belts
February 28, 2011 12:35AM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 27

I see it has been discussed here briefly, and someone's mocked it up. I'm still interested to hear if people would find it valuable enough to warrant a bit of R&D.

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galaxyman7

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 02, 2011 01:24AM

Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 198

Belts really aren't that expensive. Just search for "small parts inc" seller on amazon. They carry belts and pulleys there for ridiculously cheap prices. I saw a 21 inch belt for 28 cents, and pulleys for 50 cents. Just make sure you match up the pitches of the pulley and belt.

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Buback

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 02, 2011 12:22PM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 601

it's another thing you have to buy, which is annoying, but probably not worth the effort to design an alternative. unless, of course, the alternative is more printable.

One alternative i thought about was a knotted string. but it was really just a concept stopgap measure, and would probably take forever to tie all the knots.

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NewPerfection

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 02, 2011 01:02PM

Admin
Registered: 17 years ago
Posts: 1,472

Or, you could just use ball chain.

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Buback

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 02, 2011 01:26PM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 601

yeah exactly, that's the conclusion that i reached when discussing the knotted string.

I just put a topic up on the mendel forum to discuss using a driveshaft and worm gears to move the z threaded rods, instead of a belt. I don't really have a problem with the belt, but just want to throw the idea out there.

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RICK76

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 29, 2011 01:02PM

salve a tutti !!!!

considerato che sono nuovo nel campo delle reprap ...sto facendo ricerche su eventuale trasmissione degli assi,a barre filettate.....mi piacerebbe sapere da voi, se c'è la possibilità di settare il programma della reprap o eventualmente di sapere le misure delle puleggie dentate dei 3 assi

grazie a tutti !!!

rick76

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Traumflug

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 30, 2011 01:06AM

Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 7,616

Rick, we speak english in this part of the forum smiling smiley

Generation 7 Electronics	Teacup Firmware	RepRap DIY

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SebastienBailard

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 30, 2011 01:17AM

Admin
Registered: 19 years ago
Posts: 1,791

Abbiamo un forum italiano. smiling bouncing smiley

-Sebastien, RepRap.org library gnome.

Remember, you're all RepRap developers (once you've joined the super-secret developer mailing list), and the wiki, RepRap.org, [reprap.org] is for everyone and everything! grinning smiley

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nophead

Re: Alternative to timing belts
March 30, 2011 08:20AM

Admin
Registered: 19 years ago
Posts: 7,883

Google translate seems to work well from Italian to English, much better than German! Here's hoping it works both ways:

Rick,
Yes you can change the steps per mm of all the axes in configuration.h in the firmware. Threaded rods will be slow though for X & Y. The pulleys have 8 teeth at 5mm pitch giving 40mm travel per revolution. The Z-axis has 21 teeth pulleys and 1.25mm pitch threaded rod giving 1.25 * 8/21 mm per revolution.

[www.hydraraptor.blogspot.com]

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RICK76

Re: Alternative to timing belts
April 01, 2011 06:43AM

Thanks to all ... and good job guys

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