Sprung belt tensioner

Was dismantiling a large lazer printer at work when i came across this device.





Im wondering if this could provide better belt tension without the risk of over tightening and damaging components, as well as reducing juddering at high speeds.

Interesting. Such a spring with the right tension (ideally just below the maximum force the motor can hold) should mean that fast moves would lead to a bit imprecise moves (not straight lines, and some "overshooting" and oscillation when stopping) and just slightly less print quality when going "too fast", instead of having the motor skip. I guess you would need two of them on each belt (on each side of the carriage).

I use the same method implemented with a clothes peg spring from an idea I got here ... [forums.reprap.org]

Dave
(#106)