Makerbot Z18 Idler Pulley

thingiverse

The original pulleys at the front of my Makerbot Z18 are made of steel, featuring steel shafts. One of these pulleys fractured under stress and another is showing signs of wear due to the lack of a bushing on this connection. We created this idler pulley using Pro PLA and designed it with a built-in bushing. The primary stress will be in compression, so I printed this part with 5 shells for added strength. The bushing is inserted into the pulley before being reassembled onto the shaft. I also applied a generous amount of super lube to ensure smooth operation. This upgrade, although replacing a steel piece with plastic, is crucial due to the addition of the bushing. Pictures are available, showcasing the installation process and how these components interact. The idler pulley was printed in orange for easy visibility of any shavings that may accumulate over time. I recommend printing this version before yours fails! This design features a 7mm hole for the shaft and the bushing. If you prefer to run it without the bearing, simply modify sketch 4's diameter to 5mm. I've successfully operated this setup without a bearing for over a year using PLA, Pro PLA, and ABS, but it ultimately wore out significantly and one exploded during an extended print session. You can find the bushing used here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JLVRYKT/ and the super lube I recommend at: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-51004-Synthetic-Viscosity/dp/B000UKUHXK/. An update has been added, featuring a 5mm version. If you print this with PET+, it should last for an extended period.