RatRig V-Core 3 Self-Sourced XY Printed Parts

thingiverse

The RatRig V-Core 3 is a fantastic printer, but sourcing all the parts to build on yourself instead of buying a kit can be difficult. One challenge that comes up is finding Idler Pulleys that work with the printed parts - they're just not available on the market due to the special design used. This design utilizes alternative idler pulleys manufactured/offered for sale by Gates, Mellow, or SC Official Store: RatRig's original design has the belts located off-center of the 30x30 extrusion, which causes issues with the pulley alignment when using wider pulleys. This design compensates by moving those belts 1.5mm to be centered on the 30x30 extrusion, and also moves the X gantry up 1.5mm so that standard EVA components can be used in the toolhead. <h2><b><u>Required Printed Parts (1 of each)</u></b></h2> 1. XY Idler Left 2. XY Idler Right 3. XY Joiner Left (or ALT version - read description below!) 4. XY Joiner Right (or ALT version - read description below!) 5. XY Motor Cage Top Left 6. XY Motor Cage Bottom Left 7. XY Motor Cage Top Right 8. XY Motor Cage Bottom Right <h2><b><u>Required Purchased Parts</u></b></h2> 1. Idler Pulleys, Smooth, 9 or 10mm Belt Width, "20 Tooth" (10 required) 2. Idler Pulleys, Toothed, 9 or 10mm Belt Width, 20 Tooth (2 required) 3. Shim Washers, 5x7x0.5mm (19 required) 4. M3 x 40mm DIN 912 Screws (8 required) <h2><b><u>Purchased Parts Sources</u></b></h2> <h4>  <u>Idler Pulleys, Both Smooth & Toothed</u></h4> >>Gates: (Multiple sources available) [Source 1](https://e3d-online.com/products/gates), [Source 2](https://www.printedsolid.com/products/gates-powergrip-2gt-smooth-idler) Mellow: [AliExpress Link](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33023133633.html) SC Official Store: [AliExpress Link](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32795049682.html) >>RatRig pulleys are ø16mm in diameter and 12mm wide. The alternative pulleys above are ø16mm in diameter and 14mm wide. The diameter is __necessary__ (ø18mm pulleys won't work at all), but the width is what we're compensating for with this modification. <h4>  <u>Shim Washers</u></h4> >>Shim washers: [Where mine came from on AliExpress](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000316011573.html) - nothing special, can be from anywhere. You CAN 3D print these shim washers, but I am not supplying models for this as metal = better. You can use other shim washers, although I suggest to only alter the OD which can be 6.5-7.5 and still work. <h2><b><u>ALT Version XY Joiners! (see bottom of Files listing)</u></b></h2> An alternate design for the XY joiners is available that <b>WILL</b> require additional fasteners! This design eliminates the pockets where the XY joiners normally bolt to the underside of the 20x20 extrusion, and instead allows you to bolt this connection all the way through the aluminum connecting plate. This eliminates the need for the pulley axle bolts to require over-tightening just to keep the X axis straight. You will need to replace the lower bolts with M5x30mm bolts with a few washers, or possibly M5x25mm bolts if you've got 1/8" thick plates like my printer. You will need 4 of these replacement bolts total! <h4> <u>General</u></h4> Files are available in STL, AMF, & STEP formats. An overall assembly is also included in STEP format. In the pictures is instructions to assemble each point with the new pulleys (also included PDF). Design based off of original files of V-Core 3.1 located here -- https://bit.ly/2Zw0JS6