Adjustable Robo 3D R1+ Y axis bearing blocks

thingiverse

EDIT: 04/22/2017 I ordered quality bearings from E3D and so far they're working perfectly! Forget about the cheap stuff, get these instead.http://e3d-online.com/623ZZ?search=M-BEARINGS-623 WARNING: I've used both cheap and expensive bearings in the past, but neither has lasted long. Even after finger tightening the bottom part, the bearings still fall apart. Why can't I get reliable bearings even when paying $26 for 10 of them?! When it works, it's amazing! But until I find bearings that won't fall apart, I can't recommend this upgrade. If you know a source where I can get genuine quality bearings, please message me. The last ones I used were supposed to be hybrid bearings, combining ceramic and steel, but they haven't proven any better than the cheap ones. Adjustable Y Axis bearing block for the robo3d! NOTE: After having one of the cheap bearings fail quickly, I'm upgrading to these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-10PCS-3X10X4mm-S623-2OS-CB-ABEC7-LD-3x10x4-Stainless-steel-hybrid-ceramic-ball/32596349454.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.qj8K6t Print Settings Printer Brand: Robo 3D Printer: R1 ABS + PLA Model Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: .2 Infill: 30% bottom, 100% for top part Notes: I made these for my highly modified Robo3DR1+. Robo 3D owners rejoice! And anyone else who wants to adapt their printer to ADJUSTABLE roller bearings. After replacing my Y axis bearings for the fourth time since owning my Robo3D, I found good_idea's 8MM bearing blocks (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1424346). I considered linear rails but couldn't see how they'd work with the Robo3D. Desperate for a smoother rail solution, I designed a new pillow block using these bearing blocks only to discover they had slop almost immediately! Frustrated since I had high hopes this was the solution, I set out to improve it and make it ADJUSTABLE! When installing them, they seemed tight even with little tension on the adjustment screws. After moving the axis back and forth many times by hand until it loosened up a bit, it's now functioning perfectly. **I think my initial trouble was due to printing the bearing blocks from good_idea before they were accurate enough. I also modified them to leave more room for the bearings. NOTE: I had to move the drive belt pulley and roller bearings up a few millimeters. I put large washers under the roller bearings and adjusted the pulley up. After inserting the nuts into the side of the block, I covered them with foil tape so they wouldn't fall out. Alternatively, you could use glue. The files included are newer than the pictures. I used these bearings from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BBF3JO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 NOTE: After having one of the cheap bearings fail quickly, I'm upgrading to these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-10PCS-3X10X4mm-S623-2OS-CB-ABEC7-LD-3x10x4-Stainless-steel-hybrid-ceramic-ball/32596349454.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.qj8K6t NOTE: I've been running the Y axis blocks for about a month now, and I haven't had to adjust them once! Both Y and X axes are still using cheap steel bearings initially installed. So far, the Y axis has had no problems with these cheap bearings. I'm still running it like this until my new hybrid bearings arrive. When installing these, I didn't tighten them much at all – barely snugged them up – and they've been great ever since. I think the extra money spent on better bearings will be worth it in the long run. Metal tape keeps the nuts in place.