Anet A8 Y-Axis Idler & Motor Brace Upgrades

thingiverse

These prints represent my attempt at enhancing some of the already outstanding Anet A8 parts available on Thingiverse. Previous braces have some features that make it challenging or impossible to install several belt tensioner upgrades. Take a look at my photos and you'll see it was an iterative process for me, as I had to file grooves out of the idler brace gussets to provide clearance for installing the necessary hardware. The models I've uploaded have been revised to reflect what I learned through this process. My objective was to design these parts so they can be printed with minimal or no support material required. I chose to use support material when printing the parts shown in my photos for a cleaner finish. Removing the supports was easy and left clean features behind. Another key aspect of these prints is that they provide a way to secure the machine firmly to a sturdy structure, preventing movement or misalignment of the printer's frame. The holes I've included were sized for common #10 wood screws as I plan to use MDF as a base material. One benefit of this design is that it completely replaces the original component, rather than being installed in front of it, and therefore does not reduce the y-axis travel distance like previous designs do. Aesthetics played a significant role in my design process, and my ultimate goal was to improve the basic features found in previous designs. Many free or open-source modeling packages limit the level of refinement designers can bring to their models. I hope these prints help everyone make the most out of this excellent 3D printer at an affordable price. Enjoy using them!