X Belt Tension System for Max Micron (and some other Prusa i3)

thingiverse

Currently very much a work in progress!! August 3rd, 2016 - added an edited adjuster to accept 20 tooth idler bearings This is a Z axis carriage for Max Micron and other Prusa i3 printers that have the lead screw and rod off set, not in a straight line with the X axis rods. I included images with dimensions so you can check against your printer (I hear Hictop and a few others use the same layout) I may design and upload a template that can be used to determine if this will correctly fit your printer, but for now you'll have to measure. Also My current printer has X rods sticking out about 20-25mm past the carriage. I know some of the rods aren't as long and will need modification to get the whole thing to work as this design is based on using that extra rod length. I'm hoping I can get to designing one for flush rods soon. There are many other X belt tensioning Z carriages but they all have the lead screw and stabilization rod inline parallel to the X rods, which would mean rebuilding and modifying the complete Z carriage system both top and bottom on both sides to get it all to line up properly This is better, easier and faster if you have this printer setup currently. There are 3 parts: The Z Carriage The Adjuster Bar The End Cap You'll need to add one M4 nut and 25-30mm flat head screw I HIGHLY recommend using at least a 1.6 to a 2.0 shell (with a 0.4 nozzle) to achieve proper strength Also printing at 0.1 or better as the fit is tight and you may still even need to sand/file a little to get everything to fit and move properly Do not over tighten! If you over stress the belt I've kinda made this so it will break the tensioner so as not to damage the rest of the printer Print Settings Rafts No Supports Yes Resolution 0.1 Infill 25% Notes I HIGHLY recommend using at least a 1.6 to a 2.0 shell (with a 0.4 nozzle) to achieve proper strength Also printing at 0.1 or better as the fit is tight and you may still even need to sand/file a little to get everything to fit and move properly