K8200 GT2 timing belt rework

thingiverse

I recently decided to give my K8200 3D-Printer a major upgrade by replacing the original T5 timing belts with GT2 versions. To make this work, I needed to design new clamps that would securely attach the belt ends to the X and Y tables, complete with integrated length adjustment for optimal belt tension. I also had to take into account the smaller diameter of the 20-tooth pulleys compared to the original T5 wheels. The result was a set of model files that I'm including with this project upload. Initially, I thought I could reuse the original mounting brackets for the reverse rollers, but it turned out that wouldn't be possible. Unfortunately, I had already disassembled my printer when I realized this mistake. So, I ended up milling new wheel mounts instead of printing those parts. However, I've included the models for these parts in case someone else wants to print them with some modifications. You might wonder if it was worth all the time and effort to improve the belt drives. To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure. The printer does run more smoothly and the prints look better, but only marginally so. The resulting dimensions are also more accurate than before. Ultimately, whether or not this upgrade is worthwhile depends on how much you value perfect results and are willing to put in the effort to achieve them.