MendelMax Y-Axis Idler + Tensioner (GT2, M3 bolt)

thingiverse

This is a y-axis belt tensioner for the mendelmax 1/1.5, utilizing a 16-tooth gt2 pulley and an m3 bolt.\r\n\r\nI designed this because the original mendelmax y axis idler/tensioner and every other design on thingiverse (to date) all use a 608 bearing, which poses two significant problems:\r\n- The smooth bearing causes backlash due to the toothed side of your gt2 belt not being on a smooth bearing.\r\n- The radius of the bearing is much larger than the radius of the gt2 timing pulley you probably have mounted on your stepper on the other side, resulting in slightly diagonal belt motion and some dimensional inaccuracy.\r\n\r\nAnother problem with several idlers is that they're missing lips, allowing the belt to creep off the bearing and rub along the plastic. By using a proper gt2 idler gear, you solve this problem.\r\n\r\nMy design resolves all three of these issues and is similar to y-axis idlers in other 2017/2018-era printers now.\r\n\r\n**Hardware Requirements:**\r\n* 1x long m3 screw. I used a 30mm one, but anything between 20-40mm should work.\r\n* 1x m3 nut\r\n* 2x m5 screws and t-slot nuts (drop-in or slotted) to mount it to your 2020 aluminum frame \r\n* 1x 16-tooth gt2 pulley. A 20-tooth one may also work.\r\n\r\n**Printing Tips:**\r\n* Print everything on its side. (The models need to be rotated on their side, sorry about that!)\r\n* Use supports!\r\n\r\n**Remix This:**\r\n* I designed this part in solvespace, a free open source cad parametric program that's pretty easy to use. I uploaded the source files, so please feel free to edit them and remix to your liking! Solvespace is awesome software too, I highly recommend it!\r\n\r\nLastly, here are some designs I used myself before, took inspiration from, and tried to improve upon:\r\n* Danfineart's mendelmax y end idler with belt tensioning \r\n* Kludgineer's original mendelmax 1.5 design \r\nBig thanks to all these authors above!\r\n\r\nP.S. The eagle-eyed among you might notice the gt2 belt dust beneath the idler in my photos. That's from the belt rubbing on the side of the old, original mendelmax idler i was using before. I promise it's not from this new idler.