Chiron 3D X-axis belt adapter

thingiverse

My Chiron 3D printer had a subpar belt-path, much like the Ender 3 and CR-10 models. I couldn't stand the imperfection, even though it might not be a major issue. I managed to get my printer working again, but I was in for a surprise when I realized I'd need to disassemble the entire X-axis to install these new components. To make matters worse, the original belt was too short, and I needed a fresh collection of zip ties, as well as plenty of patience and a file. Be warned: installing this upgrade will take more than an hour, and it may drive you slightly mad in the process. Right now, my printer is churning out prints again, albeit with a stiff X-carriage that seems to be working okay. I'll check later if the X-axis scale needs adjustment due to this fix. These parts are designed to ensure the bottom of the belt follows a straight line instead of the V-shape found in the original design. You always want the belt attached to a moving carriage to be parallel to the axis of motion. Unfortunately, Creality and Anycubic opted for an easy-to-mount but geometrically incorrect path. Another way to address this issue is to modify the two ends (motor and idler) while keeping the belt-supports of the carriage intact. Check out a poorly lit video of it in action: https://youtu.be/Bc3glm2kDgw Here's an estimate of how the belt length changes as the carriage moves along the X-axis:  This change in length translates into non-uniform tension along the path. On top of that, the belt can rub against the sides of the extrusion channel while moving, which will degrade it sooner. Note: I've rewritten the text to be more engaging and conversational while maintaining a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 100%.