⬢For this chapter, please prepare:
⬢2.0mm Allen key
⬢2.5mm Allen key
⬢Permanent marker (not included in the kit)
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- Original Prusa i3 MK3/MK3S/MK3S+ to MK4 upgrade
- 3. X-axis & X-carriage assembly
3. X-axis & X-carriage assembly
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- Original Prusa i3 MK3/MK3S/MK3S+ to MK4 upgrade
- 1. Introduction
- 1a. Parts check
- 1b. Printer disassembly
- 1c. Parts preparation
- 2. Frame assembly
- 3. X-axis & X-carriage assembly
- 1. Tools necessary for this chapter
- 2. X-axis assembly: parts preparation
- 3. Assembling the X-end-motor
- 4. Assembling the X-end-motor
- 5. Assembling the X-end-idler
- 6. Assembling the X-end-idler
- 7. Assembling the X-end-idler
- 8. Mounting the bearings: parts preparation
- 9. Lubricating the bearings INFO
- 10. Lubricating the bearings: parts preparation
- 11. Lubricating the bearing
- 12. Lubricating the bearing
- 13. Inserting the bearings: X-end-motor
- 14. Inserting the bearings: bearing pads
- 15. Covering the bearings: X-end-motor
- 16. Inserting the bearings: X-end-idler
- 17. Assembling the X-axis: parts preparation
- 18. Assembling the X-axis: Marking the bearings
- 19. Assembling the X-axis: parts preparation (lubricating)
- 20. Lubricating the bearing
- 21. Lubricating the bearing
- 22. Assembling the X-axis: Inserting smooth rods
- 23. Assembling the X-axis: mounting the X-end-motor
- 24. Assembling the X-carriage: parts preparation
- 25. Assembling the X-carriage
- 26. Attaching the spacers
- 27. Attaching the spacers
- 28. Assembling the X-carriage-clip: parts preparation
- 29. Assembling the X-carriage-clip
- 30. Attaching the X-carriage-clip
- 31. Attaching the X motor: parts preparation
- 32. Attaching the X motor
- 33. Attaching the X motor: mounting the pulley
- 34. Guiding the X belt: parts preparation
- 35. Guiding the X belt: X-end-idler
- 36. Guiding the X belt: X-end-motor
- 37. Guiding the X belt: X-carriage
- 38. Assembling the X-carriage: final check
- 39. Haribo
- 40. It's done!
- 4. Z-axis assembly
- 5. Nextruder assembly
- 6. xLCD assembly
- 7. Y-carriage & Heatbed assembly
- 8. Preflight check
- Manual changelog
3. X-axis & X-carriage assembly
Relevant for:
Last updated 8 months ago Difficulty
Easy Steps
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⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢X-end-idler (1x)
⬢X-end-motor (1x)
⬢M3x25 screw (1x)
⬢M3x16 screw (4x)
⬢M3nS nut (7x)
⬢M3n nut (6x)
⬢Insert four M3n nuts into the holes on the backside of the X-end-motor.
Use the screw pulling technique.
⬢Insert and tighten the M3nS nut into the plastic part.
⬢Screw the M3x25 screw into the plastic part. Do not tighten the screw completely. Keep the screw head aligned with the top surface of the part.
⬢From the "bottom" side of the part, insert and tighten the M3x16 screw.
There is no thread in the plastic part, no nut. The screw cuts a thread into the plastic when tightened.
Make sure you are using the correct length of the screw M3x16, not M3x18. If you're not sure, always compare the dimensions of the screws with the cheatsheet.
⬢Insert and tighten one M3x16 screw from the "top" side of the part.
⬢From inside the oval opening, insert the M3nS nut into the X-end-motor.
⬢From the side, insert the second M3nS nut into the part.
Do not put too much pressure on the nut to avoid damaging the opposite printed wall.
⬢Insert two M3n nuts into the holes on the backside of the X-end-idler.
Use the screw pulling technique.
⬢Insert two M3nS nut from the side to the plastic part.
Make sure you are using the correct length of the screw M3x16, not M3x18. If you're not sure, always compare the dimensions of the screws with the cheatsheet.
⬢From the "bottom" side of the part, insert and tighten the M3x16 screw.
There is no thread in the plastic part, no nut. The screw cuts a thread into the plastic when tightened.
⬢Insert and tighten the second M3x16 screw from the "top" side of the part.
⬢Insert the M3nS nut into the X-end-idler from the side.
Do not put too much pressure on the nut to avoid damaging the opposite printed wall.
⬢From inside the oval opening, insert the M3nS nut into the X-end-idler.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢LM10LUU linear bearing (2x)
⬢X-end-clip (2x)
⬢Rubber pad 20x10x1 mm (4x)
⬢M3x30 screw (6x)
⬢M3x18 screw (2x)
⬢To identify if the bearings require lubrication, check the packaging:
⬢Bearings pre-lubricated by Prusa company are shipped in a blue bag. If you have pre-lubricated bearings, go to Inserting the bearings: bearing pads.
⬢If your bearings did not come in this specific packaging, the bearings must be lubricated. Proceed to the following steps with instructions for proper lubrication of the bearings.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢Prusa lubricant (1x)
⬢Prusa lubricant applicator 10mm (1x) for LM10LUU bearings
There are two versions of the Prusa lubricant applicator in your kit. Each with a different size.
⬢Several paper towels to wipe oil and grease from the bearing surface.
Each bearing must be lubricated before mounting on the printer. Follow these instructions carefully.
Use the lubricant wisely, less is better! The lubricant will be used for all bearings and gearbox. The amount in the tube is sufficient. Follow the instructions regarding proper amount for each bearing. Using too much of the lubricant can cause issues.
Use any piece of fabric as a pad to protect your working surface from grease.
Make sure the bearing is clean inside.
⬢Wipe the preservative oil off the bearing surface with a paper towel.
⬢It is necessary to lubricate all 4 rows of balls inside the bearing.
⬢Open the lubricant and pierce the hole in the tube with the tip in the cap.
⬢Screw the tube into the applicator.
⬢Carefully slide the entire bearing onto the applicator.
⬢Turn the tube and applicator counterclockwise until you feel a slight resistance. This means that the holes in the applicator are aligned with the ball rows.
⬢Gently press the tube to push the lubricant into the ball rows of the bearing.
⬢Remove the bearing from the applicator and look at the amount applied inside. Take a look at the third picture, which shows a sufficient amount of lubricant inside the bearing.
The grease must be spread evenly over all four ball rows inside the bearing. There must not be too much grease, a thin layer is enough. Take a closer look at the last picture.
⬢Proceed the same from the opposite side of the bearing. The lubricant in the LM10LUU bearing must be applied along its entire length.
⬢Wipe off excess grease on the outside of the bearing with a paper towel.
⬢Use this procedure for both LM10LUU bearings.
⬢Insert and push one LM10LUU bearing all the way into the X-end-motor.
⬢Position the bearing like in the picture. The ball rows must be oriented to "X".
⬢Take one X-end-clip. Notice, there are two rectangular pockets inside the plastic part.
⬢Place the rubber pads into both pockets by pushing the finger on them.
⬢Apply the same procedure for both X-end-clips.
⬢Place the X-end-motor with the bearing as shown.
⬢Take the X-end-clip and notice the protrusion on the inside of the part. The protrusion must be behind the edge of the bearing (pictured on the left side of the bearing).
⬢In this position, slide the X-end-clip onto the edge of the bearing.
⬢Very carefully slide the X-end-clip onto the entire length of the bearing.
Hold the X-end-clip slightly raised from the bottom surface of the X-end-motor. Pushing on the X-end-clip from the top may deform the rubber pads inside the part.
⬢Insert four M3x30 screws into the X-end-clip. Tighten the screws diagonally.
⬢Tighten the screws completely, but diagonally.
⬢Insert and push the second LM10LUU bearing all the way into the X-end-idler.
⬢Position the bearing like in the picture. The ball rows must be oriented to "X".
⬢Slide the remaining X-end-clip onto the bearing in the same way as in the previous step. Do not forget to orient the part correctly.
⬢There are two types of the screws for the X-end-clip on the X-end-idler:
⬢Insert two M3x30 screw into the holes on the left side.
⬢Insert two M3x18 screws into the holes on the right side.
⬢Tighten the screws completely, but diagonally.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
To avoid confusion of these parts, we recommend to align them all side by side, for easier comparison of their sizes.
⬢Smooth rod 8x370 mm (2x) the longest couple
Wipe off the preservative oil from the smooth rods with a paper towel or a piece of cloth.
⬢LM8UU bearing (3x)
⬢Wipe grease from the outer surface of the bearing with a paper towel.
⬢Position the bearing so that you can see two rows of balls. Like in the picture.
⬢Make a mark with a permanent marker on the outer surface of the bearing, in the middle above two rows of balls.
⬢Use the same procedure for the remaining two bearings.
We will use these markings in the upcoming chapters to achieve the desired bearing orientation.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢Prusa lubricant applicator 8mm (1x)
⬢Prusa lubricant (1x) for LM8UU bearings
⬢Several paper towels to wipe oil and grease from the bearing surface.
Each bearing must be lubricated before mounting on the printer. Follow these instructions carefully.
Use any piece of fabric as a pad to protect your working surface from grease.
Make sure the bearing is clean inside.
⬢Wipe the preservative oil off the bearing surface with a paper towel.
⬢It is necessary to lubricate all 4 rows of balls inside the bearing.
⬢Screw the tube into the applicator.
⬢Carefully slide the entire bearing onto the applicator.
⬢Turn the tube and applicator counterclockwise until you feel a slight resistance. This means that the holes in the applicator are aligned with the ball rows.
⬢Gently press the tube to push the lubricant into the ball rows of the bearing.
⬢Look at the front of the bearing. When the applicator pushes the lubricant out (around the black gasket), stop pressing the tube. Hold the bearing with the other hand during the lubricating.
The grease must be spread evenly over all four ball rows inside the bearing. There must not be too much grease, or too little. Take a closer look at the last picture.
⬢Wipe off excess grease on the outside of the bearing with a paper towel.
⬢Use this procedure for all three bearings.
The bearings may leave excess grease on the smooth rods after their installation. Wipe off any residue with a paper towel.
⬢Insert the smooth rods all the way into the X-end-idler.
Insert the rods very carefully. Do not tilt the rods too much.
⬢Carefully and gently slide three bearings onto the smooth rods. One bearing on the upper rod and two bearings on the lower rod. See the picture. Orientation of the markings doesn't matter at this moment
In case you manage to push out balls from the bearings, please count them. One or two balls are ok, if there are more of them, please consider ordering new bearings.
⬢Through the inspection hole check if the smooth rods are in touch with the screws inside the part.
⬢Carefully slide the X-end-motor fully onto both smooth rods.
⬢Through the inspection hole check if the smooth rods are in touch with the screw.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢X-carriage (1x)
⬢Hex spacer M3x10 (3x)
⬢M3n nuts (2x)
⬢M3x10 screw (3x)
⬢M3nS nut (8x)
⬢Locate the protrusions on the X-carriage part and insert three M3nS nuts into the square holes.
⬢From the "bottom" of the part, insert five M3nS nuts into the part.
⬢Insert two M3n nuts to the X-carriage-back.
Use the screw pulling technique.
⬢From the opposite side, insert the M3x10 screw into the X-carriage-back. The screw must protrude from the "front" side of the part.
⬢Attach the hex spacer on the M3x10 screw and tighten the screw. Note the cutout of the same shape as the spacer. It must fit perfectly and must not rotate.
⬢Push two M3x10 screws through the X-carriage
⬢From the "front" side of the X-carriage, attach two hex spacers on the protruding M3x10 screws in the same way described in the previous step. Tighten the screws.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢X-carriage-clip (1x)
⬢M3x10 screw (4x)
⬢Rubber pad 20x10x1 mm (2x)
⬢Place two rubber pads into the rectangular pockets inside the X-carriage-clip.
⬢Place the X-axis assembly oriented as shown. Make sure the back of the X-end-motor is facing up.
CAUTION: Make sure you have the parts oriented correctly.
⬢Attach the X-carriage on both bearings on the lower rod. See the orientation of the X-carriage-motor on the picture.
⬢Leave the upper bearing out of the X-carriage for the time being.
⬢Slide both lower bearings all the way into the pockets in the X-carriage and align them with the outer surface of the X-carriage.
⬢Rotate both bearings so that the marking is facing you (down).
⬢Cover the bearings with the X-carriage-clip and secure it by four M3x10 screws. Do not fully tighten the screws at the moment.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢X motor (1x)
Ensure you are using the correct motor, there is a label on the bottom of the casing. The reason is, each motor has different cable length.
⬢GT2-16 pulley (1x)
⬢M3x18 screw (3x)
⬢M3x10 screw (1x)
⬢Insert the M3x10 screw into the X-end-motor. Line up it with the edge of the plastic protrusion. Do not tighten the screw, there is no thread inside, just insert it freely.
⬢Place the X-end-motor on the X motor. Secure it by three M3x18 screws. Tighten the screws just slightly. We will adjust them later on.
Note the correct X motor orientation. The cable must be facing you.
⬢Make sure that the "tension" screw on the X motor side does not fall out during handling.
⬢Position the motor so that the screws are at the inner end of the oval holes.
⬢There is a flat part on the motor shaft. Rotate the motor shaft with the flat part facing through the opening in the X-end-motor.
Slide the Pulley on, note the CORRECT orientation. Compare it with the second picture!
⬢Place any of the Allen keys on the top surface, like in the picture and align the pulley with the Allen key.
⬢One of the grub screws must be facing directly against the flat part of the shaft. Slightly tighten the grub screw.
⬢Rotate the pulley and tighten the second grub screw.
⬢For the following steps, please prepare:
⬢X belt (1x)
⬢Pin H8 2.9x20 (1x)
⬢GT2-20 Idler pulley (1x)
⬢Guide the X belt around the Idler pulley.
⬢Insert the "clamped" pulley with the belt inside the X-end-idler.
⬢Align the hole in the pulley with the left hole in the plastic part.
⬢After aligning the pulley, push the pin through the plastic part and the pulley. Push the pin all the way in using the Allen key.
⬢Pull lightly on the belt to secure the position of the pulley. You will see the pin in the hole slide inside the part. Once the pulley is secured, the pin is not visible at all.
Leave the upper bearing free for now.
⬢Insert the "upper" end of the belt into the groove in the X-carriage. Push it all the way in using the Allen key.
⬢Push the "lower" end of the belt through the belt channel in the X-carriage.
⬢Guide the belt through the X-end-motor around the pulley and back to the X-carriage.
⬢Guide the X belt to the X-carriage and push it to the groove in the plastic part as far as possible. Push it all the way in using the Allen key.
The belt must not be too loose (sagging). We will adjust its tension later.
⬢Place the upper bearing into the recess in the X-carriage. The marking must be facing you, like in the picture.
⬢Move with the X-carriage side to side several times to check that the movement is smooth.
⬢After you ensure that the movement is smooth, fully tighten the screws on the X-carriage-clip in this order:
⬢Upper left screw
⬢Lower right screw
⬢Upper right screw
⬢Lower left screw
⬢Move the X-carriage several times to both sides and check the movement is still smooth.
⬢Eat five gummy bears.
Did you know that the original gummy bears were inspired by the dancing bears of Europe, and Riegel named them "Gummibärchen," which means "little rubber bears" in German.
⬢Compare your assembly with the picture.
⬢Everything is OK? Nice job, you just successfully assembled the X-axis assembly.
⬢Let's go the next chapter: 4. Z-axis assembly
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