1 Topic by Photog

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Topic: tightening belts

Is there any easy way to tighten the belts on SD3? I see the belts are attached to a hex bolts that screws into the black plastic housing on the carriages. But when I turn the hex bolts to tighten the belts, it also turns the belt with it and makes it sideways. Also this might not work at all, because on the left side the hex bolt is sticking out about 4mm and I COULD tighten it, but the hex bolt on the right side of the SD3 is in all the way so I can't really tighten that one much more.

I saw the guide on the soliwiki but it looks like you have to take the whole carriage apart?? Is there any easier way. I think I may be getting some x/y backlash.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

2 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: PNW
  • Registered: 2012-10-28
  • Posts: 1,723

Re: tightening belts

When loosening or tightening the belts always hold the belt so it doesn't twist, if you run out of room to tension you could pierce a new hole in the belt further in and reset the screw.

3 Reply by Photog

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Re: tightening belts

ronsii wrote:

When loosening or tightening the belts always hold the belt so it doesn't twist, if you run out of room to tension you could pierce a new hole in the belt further in and reset the screw.

Good idea.

I just want to make them pretty much as tight as possible, right? But more important that they are evenly balanced.

Looks like X axis belts arent adjustable, only Y axis.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

4 Reply by Serin

  • Serin
  • Serin
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-08-13
  • Posts: 382

Re: tightening belts

No! Don't make them too tight! You run the risk of bending things out of shape and stripping things.
Equal and mildly tensioned is the trick.

This is a crowd funding thing that I'm running: http://www.gofundme.com/bvi140 It's for pretty selfish reasons tongue

5 Reply by Photog

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Re: tightening belts

Serin wrote:

No! Don't make them too tight! You run the risk of bending things out of shape and stripping things.
Equal and mildly tensioned is the trick.

Is there a way to tell how tight?  Tight to me might be loose to someone else..

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

6 Reply by dubbsd (edited by dubbsd 2013-12-15 14:11:01)

  • dubbsd
  • dubbsd
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Northwest florida
  • Registered: 2012-09-30
  • Posts: 748

Re: tightening belts

the biggest thing is to make the tension even and not to tight.
use this gauge to see that the tension is even.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38952

Ultimaker S3.

7 Reply by Claghorn

  • Claghorn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Delray Beach, FL
  • Registered: 2012-10-22
  • Posts: 730

Re: tightening belts

dubbsd wrote:

the biggest thing is to make the tension even and not to tight.
use this gauge to see that the tension is even.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38952

Or this one if you don't have a lot of quarters laying around :-).

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:163577

Claghorn's Website

8 Reply by Photog

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Re: tightening belts

Can you take a pic with the weight on your belt for I can see how much it pulls the belt down? I got them pretty even now with the weight, but now I'm paranoid they are too tight..

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?

9 Reply by adrian (edited by adrian 2013-12-15 22:24:42)

  • adrian
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Canberra, Australia
  • Registered: 2013-01-15
  • Posts: 1,623

Re: tightening belts

Belt tautness is over rated. Don't get caught up about it.... see how uneven mine are here and how little impact it had:
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/4824/how … -for-ever/

Yes, thats with the pillow block installed - but this is also true generally. Don't get caught up about belts....

10 Reply by Photog (edited by Photog 2013-12-15 22:44:38)

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Re: tightening belts

adrian wrote:

Belt tautness is over rated. Don't get caught up about it.... see how uneven mine are here and how little impact it had:
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/4824/how … -for-ever/

Yes, thats with the pillow block installed - but this is also true generally. Don't get caught up about belts....

I don't know, after I tightened the belts, now my circles are coming it as ovals. Think I messed something up.

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?