Robust and precise NEMA 17 steppers / belt tensioners

thingiverse

Get rid of annoying short belt sloppiness with a simple, robust tensioner that allows precise adjustments. This two-piece design protects your case from damage and ensures easy belt tensioning without over-tightening. To create the tensioner, you'll need 3mm drill, two 10mm M3 screws, four regular M3 nuts, one 30mm M3 screw, one M3 nylock nut, three M3 washers, and two 25mm M3 screws. Follow these steps to assemble and install the tensioner: 1. Print the parts at any temperature using a Thingiverse-compatible printer. 2. Screw the two pieces together tightly to lock the nylock nut in place. 3. Unscrew the long M3 nut so that it protrudes by 2-3mm out of the nylock nut. 4. Attach the lower part of the tensioner to the stepper motor's lower two screws (use 25mm screws). 5. Mark the holes on the motor using a pen, then remove the tensioner and drill 3mm holes at the marks. 6. Re-attach the tensioner and fix the lower part with two 10mm screws and regular nuts inside the case. Choose from different variants based on your printer setup and ensure proper installation to avoid over-tightening, which can damage belts and bearings. Happy printing!