Folgertech Prusa i3 2020 X-Axis Upgrade (Openbuilds V-Slot Rail System)

thingiverse

This is a X-Axis upgrade to the Folgertech Prusa i3 2020 Variant, which should work with any 2020 rail printer and can be adapted to an all-thread framed printer with a few additional brackets. The upgrade replaces the cheap linear bearings and 8mm rods with an Openbuilds V-Slot Gantry and rail system. With this upgrade, noise reduction is huge, accuracy increases, and overall stiffness of the X-Axis is also increased. This system is up and running on my printer along with a few others, although there are a few variations in the assembly. This version of the upgrade can utilize various lengths of rail. The belt tensioner can be integrated into the left side carriage mount or added to the end of the rail (V-2). At this point, I am not writing assembly instructions as it is pretty straightforward, and I have provided a link to an Imgur album showing detailed photos of the build. This is a work in progress so there are variations of the build within the album, so please keep this in mind when looking through the photos. http://imgur.com/a/L3Fnb The endstop mount comes in two versions: one with a 2.3mm hole that needs to be tapped and the other with a 3mm thru-hole requiring a 3mm nut. Direct Drive Mount for NEMA 17 Extruders is available here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1278168, and E3d V6 Bowden Mount (w/Proximity Sensor) can be found here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1288706. I have provided a BOM. You can check out before and after videos here: Bench Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpn-rzMczIo Before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4HJPyrFLzk In this video, the Y-Axis upgrade was installed, and the grinding noise you hear is the X-Carriage. After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqzbo9MErIo Big thanks to Jason (therippa) for testing and commenting on the build; many of his suggestions and remixes were implemented. You can check out his other designs and follow him here: http://www.thingiverse.com/therippa/about. Edit: Added a Lead Screw Mount for a M5 Nut, which allows the stock M5 nut and all-thread to be used in-lieu-of the M8 lead screws. Simply insert the M5 nut into the bottom of the adapter and mount it like any other lead screw nut (make sure the M5 nut is on the bottom). I haven't printed or tested this adapter, so please let me know how it works out. Edit 4-2-2016: I just added X-Carriage_Rail_Mount_16mm_OD_Bearing.STL for the Igus bearings with a 16mm OD. Also edited the BOM to show the Igus bearings I used; although they are not mandatory, the original linear bearings can be reused. Edit: 4-9-2016 Added another lead screw nut adapter to use in-lieu-of the 8mm brass lead screw nut. 8mm plain nut (this file has not been printed or tested). Print Settings: Printer: Folgertech Prusa i3 2020 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: .2mm Infill: Varies