Gantry Bearing Holders

thingiverse

These new holders replace the gantry bearing holders. I removed the springs on the belts and switched to open loop belting, which eliminates artifacts resulting from the springs expanding or contracting during acceleration and deceleration. I installed bushings that hold the 6mm shafts rigid in place. The 6mm shafts are secured so they can't drift because they're held fast. Since the 6mm shafts don't snap into place, I recommend drilling one hole in the carriage on each axis to allow the 6mm rods to slide in and out. The bushings have been inserted, the belts are slightly stretched to fit into the plastic, and then the cap is screwed into place using m2.6 socket head self-tapping screws. To shift the print head 1.5 mm to the right for clearance, I placed the shifter on the x-axis rod. The result is a much stronger and stiffer assembly that produces better prints. I used ordinary open loop belting, which can be put in place with pliers; it's easy to slide it too tight. However, I found no printing advantage from tightening it. For the 6mm rods, I used m2.6x12mm socket head screws, which lock the rods on both sides and allow them to float back and forth when only one screw is used per rod. An 8mm x 11mm x 30mm sleeve bearing was also used. You can purchase self-lubricating composite bearings on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-10PCS-SF-1-Self-Lubricating-Composite-Bearing-Bushing-Sleeve/142545443014?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Alternatively, you can use copper sleeve bearings on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-5-PCS-Copper-Sleeve-Bearing-Bushing-for-3D-Printer-8mm-Ultimaker-Slider/222817597655?hash=item33e0f6b8d7:m:mDLLCXfjlgimElY5jhm0jlQ