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Belt Tensioners

Alright, time to get into the build! First, we're going to build the belt tensioners that are used for the X and Y axes. You need to build three of these.

Qty Part
1 each, 3 total M3 Hex Nut
1 each, 3 total M3x16 machine screw
1 each, 3 total M3 Cap Nut
1 each, 3 total M5x25 machine screw
1 each, 3 total M5 Nyloc Hex Nut
1 each, 3 total M5x40 machine screw
1 each, 3 total M5 Hex Nut
1 each, 3 total GT2 Pulley Idler
1 each, 3 total FDM-0037 (Belt Tension Arm)
1 FDM-0001 (Front Left Leg)
1 FDM-0002 (Front Right Leg)
1 FDM-0013 (X Idler Mount)

Assembling the Belt Tensioner Arms

Belt Tension Arm Parts

  1. Insert an M3 Hex Nut into its slot on the back of a Belt Tension Arm. Inserted M3 Hex Nut

  2. Insert an M3x16mm Machine Screw through the front hole in the Belt Tension Arm and then tighten. M3 Screw and M3 Hex Nut installed

  3. Thread an M3 Cap Nut on the end of the M3x16mm Machine Screw. M3 Screw, M3 Nut, and M3 Cap Nut installed

  4. Insert an M5x25mm Machine Screw through the hole in the top of the Belt Tension Arm so that it passes through a GT2 Pulley Idler. M5 screw and GT2 Pulley Idler positioned

  5. Add an M5 Nyloc Hex Nut on the bottom of the Belt Tension Arm and tighten. Make sure the idler can still spin freely. M5 Screw, GT2 Idler Pulley, and M5 Nut installed

  6. Repeat this two more times so that you have a total of three arms.

Attaching a tensioner to the left side

Now you'll attach the first tensioner to the Front Left Leg:

  1. Insert an M5 Nyloc Hex Nut into the recess for a hex nut on the bottom of one of the idler mount arms on the Front Left Leg. M5 Nyloc Hed Nut positioned in Front Left Leg

  2. Insert a completed Belt Tension Arm assembly between the arms on the Front Left Leg, with the screw head of the M5x25mm facing up. Belt Tensioner Arm

  3. Insert an M5x40mm Machine Screw through the hole in the top so that it passes through the Belt Tension Arm and tightens into the M5 Nyloc Hex Nut. Do not over-tighten, and ensure you can still pivot the tension arm. M5x40mm screw inserted into Idler and Belt Tensioner Arm Idler and Belt Tension Arm installed on Leg

Attaching a tensioner to the right side

Next, attach the second tensioner the the Front Right Leg. This is nearly identical to the first one:

  1. Insert the M5 Nyloc Hex Nut into the recess for a hex nut on the bottom of one of the idler mount arms on the Front Right Leg. M5 Nyloc Hed Nut positioned in Front Left Leg

  2. Insert a completed Belt Tension Arm assembly between the arms on the Front Right Leg, with the screw head of the M5x25mm facing up. Belt Tensioner Arm

  3. Insert the M5x40mm Machine Screw through the hole in the top so that it passes through the Belt Tension Arm and tighten into the M5 Nyloc Hex Nut. Do not over-tighten, and ensure you can still pivot the tension arm. M5x40mm screw inserted into Idler and Belt Tensioner Arm Idler and Belt Tension Arm installed on Leg

Attaching a tensioner to the X idler mount

The third and final tensioner is attached to the X Idler Mount. This is only slightly different from the previous two:

  1. Insert the M5 Nyloc hex nut into the recess on the bottom of the X Idler Mount. Nyloc hex nut installed on the X Idler Mount

  2. Insert the completed Belt Tension Arm into its slot in the X Idler Mount. Belt Tension Arm inserted into Idler Mount

  3. Insert the M5x40mm machine screw through the hole in the top of the X Idler Mount so that it passes through the Belt Tension Arm and tightens into the Nyloc Hex Nut. Do not over-tighten, and ensure you can still pivot the Belt Tension Arm. Completed Belt Tension Arm installed in Idler Mount Completed Belt Tension Arm installed in Idler Mount

Next steps

Now that all the tensioners are in the right place, continue with assembling the left side.