Mendel assembly notes

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Time and place

After preparing materials, the assembly should take a weekend. You will need at least 2 square meters of assembly space, some good tunes and copious amount of tea.

Assembly data sheet

The assembly data sheet enables the experienced ‘bot assemblers to survive with the spreadsheet alone. However, if this is your first time, the following pages will lead you through the assembly from start to finish, referring to the spreadsheet where appropriate.

Jig and Measurement distances

Using a spacer bar to calibrate the y-axis

Your machine will need careful calibration during assembly. Two different techniques are required: jigging and measuring. Jigged distances will be labelled on diagrams with a “J”, and measured distances will be labelled on diagrams with an “M”. You will need refer to the assembly data sheet for the value of these distances.

Jigging

Use spacer bars to calibrate common distances. A good arrangement is to tape a longer bar over the top of the spacer bar (see pic) to achieve a perpendicular alignment. The top bar only has to be longer by ~10 mm at each end.

Measuring

Best use a zero ended rule if you have one, but an everyday ruler or tape measure will suffice.

Important assembly notes

  • Always use plain nuts in captive nut traps in RP parts. Never use nylocks as the rotation force might strip the flats in the trap.
  • Apart from the above case, use nylocks wherever possible as this reduces the likelihood of fasteners loosening due to vibration.
  • Don’t skimp on washers for the same reason as above.
  • Fully tighten all nuts as you assemble unless instructed to do otherwise.
  • Always enclose a bearing with a standard washer each side to ensure smooth running (see pic).

Bearing-assembly.png


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