P3Steel Y axis assembly
We'll do this in four easy steps:
- Y idler end assembly.
- Y motor end assembly.
- Y smooth rods and carriage installation.
- Y belt installation.
Each step requires 15-20 minutes, so set aside one evening for the Y axis assembly.
Contents
Y idler end assembly
For this step we require these tools (besides the M3 hex key we used to assemble the frame):
Attach the two idler supports using 2 x M3 12mm hex screws and nyloc nuts, then insert the parts in the order shown:
- M8 30mm hex screw, washer, idler support, washer, 608ZZ bearing, washer, idler support, washer, M8 nyloc nut.
Note that the M8 washers should not be thicker than around 1.2mm each (measure with a caliper if not sure).
Tighten the M8 nyloc nut just enough so there is no play in the assembly, but leaving the 608ZZ bearing free to spin. And that's it!
Y motor end assembly
For this step we require a small metal file besides the M3 hex key:
And we also require two small 10mm tall spacers for M3 screws, either printed (i.e. Proteins) or purchased at the nearest electronics shop:
We begin by installing the left Y motor end support, this requires 1 x 12mm M3 bolt and 1 x M3 nyloc nut. Note the orientation of the part.
We can now (try to) install the stepper motor. You'll notice at this point that the M3 nyloc nut interferes with the stepper. That is the single (relatively easy to fix) issue I have found with Irobri's awesome CAD design of the P3Steel frame! Note that this issue is solved in version 2.01 of the frame.
OK, to fix this we need the small metal file, since we are going to file a small notch in the stepper body (and again: if you have version 2.01 of the frame, this step is not necessary):
This is definitely NOT the way to do it! I was filing notches one at a time until I could find the right distance from the edge of the stepper: it's 14mm, by the way. File a single notch approximately 1.5mm deep, 14mm from the edge of the stepper. Also before you start filing, wrap the stepper in plastic or paper and seal it with tape, to keep the metal dust away from the stepper innards.
Now we can install our stepper: use 2 x 8mm M3 screws to attach the stepper to the support part. Slide the GT2 pulley onto the stepper shaft oriented as shown but do not screw it yet.
Adjust the position of the GT2 pulley on the stepper shaft so that the belt channel clears the mount piece by 1 to 2mm and tighten the grub screw on the flat of the stepper shaft.
Finish assembling the remaining parts; the two 20mm screws go all the way through the second stepper mount piece and the 10mm spacers.The Y-axis motor assembly should look like this now:
And we are done with this step!
Y smooth rods and carriage installation
We need a small hammer (not kidding!) to gently (again, not kidding!) push the Y-axis smooth rods into their corresponding slots in the steel frame.
Y belt installation
