Rat Rig V-Core 3 Carbon Fiber 2020 Gantry Mod

thingiverse

Carbon Fiber 2020 weight reduction mod for the Rat Rig V-Core 3. Inspired by Vez3D on Youtube. Total weight saving of 131 grams. Yours results may differ Parts and drilling templates to convert your V-Core 3 2020 aluminium extrusion to Carbon Fiber. EDIT: Added a improved XY_Joiner_Insert_Lighter which uses the original 2020 T Nuts that the aluminium 2020 used. These are lighter then the 3030 T Nuts and saves a further 11 grams. ----PRINTED PARTS LIST---- 1x - XY_Joiner_Drill_Template - 2x - XY_Joiner_Inserts (for 3030 M5 T Nuts) OR - 2x - XY_Joiner_Inserts_Lighter (for original 2020 M5 T Nuts) 1x - XY_Joiner_Left_Carbon2020 1x - XY_Joiner_Right_Carbon2020 ----HARDWARE LIST---- 6x - 3030 M5 T Nuts ( or 6x - original 2020 M5 T Nuts) 1x - 2020 Carbon Fiber Extrusion (18mm x 18mm Internal Diameter) ----NOTES---- Original XY_Joiner Left and Right from RatRig had to be slightly modified to increase the size of the 20.2mm x 20.2mm rectangle hole to 20.6mm x 20.6mm. This may depend on the supplier of your Carbon 2020 extrusion. You may be able to sand down the original Rat Rig ones. You can use 3030 T Nuts or the original 2020 T Nuts which make the inserts lighter. ----PRINT INSTRUCTIONS---- 0.4 Line Width, 0.2 Layer Height, 4 Walls, 25% Gyroid Infil. Print orientation in pictures. Supports may be required on the "XY_Joiner_Insert" and Rat Rig XY Joiner left and right parts. ----ASSEMBLY---- Cut down 2020 Carbon Fiber extrusion to 422mm, same length as original aluminium extrusion. (this is for 300x300x300 V-Core 3, adjust accordingly for larger V-Core 3) Identify the flatest side of the Carbon Fiber extrusion and make sure this is facing up. Place "XY_Joiner_Drill_Template" over the Carbon Fiber extrusion so its aligned with the left end. Make sure orientation arrow is pointing to the left end and the other arrow is pointing up to the top surface of Carbon Fiber. Tripple check it's flat and flush with the end. Then drill all 3 holes using a 5mm drill bit. Go slow so you do not split the Carbon Fiber. Depending on what material you use to print the template, keep the drill as straight as possible so you do not melt the drill bit guide. Remove the "XY_Joiner_Drill_Template" and repeat for the Right Side. Arrow pointing to the right end and the other arrow pointing up to the top surface of Carbon Fiber. Insert the 6x "3030 M5 T Nuts" into the 2x "XY_Joiner_Insert". I used the spare ones provided by Rat Rig. They are a snug fit so you may need to use a screw driver or tool to push them in all the way. Check thread of nut is aligned with hole. The "XY_Joiner_Insert" are designed for 18mm x 18mm internal diameter. They are very snug so some sanding may be required. To drill the linear rail mounting holes into the carbon fiber. I assembled the carriage and then positioned the linear rail using the build in XY_Joiner_Left and Right guides. Then just use the linear rail itself as your template for drilling the holes. I drilled every other one for a total of 8 mounting holes to further reduce the weight. Make sure to give your linear rail a thorough clean after drilling to remove any carbon fiber dust and then reapply lubricant. Once holes are all drilled you first need to attach the Linear Rail to the Carbon Fiber. I used a makeshift pole with a small socket spanner attached to the end to hold the M3 Locking Nuts and a small washer ontop. Push the pole down the Carbon Fiber extrusion and position below a hole then simply bolt in from the top. Once the bolt is nice and tight I then removed the pole and repeat for rest. Best to start from the inner most holes and work your way out from either side. When you have finished attaching the Linear Rail, you can then insert the "XY_Joiner_Insert" into either end. Make sure you put them in the right way round. Depending on how tight a fit they are, you should be able to remove them if need be by using the centre hole. Screw in a M2 bolt or screw and then use that to pull them out. You should now be done and ready to mount to your printer!