[Old Version] Lars' Ultralight Ultimaker XY Blocks

Custom XY block design with a focus on simplicity, ease of printer alignment, and printability.

3D printer parts and enhancements

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Description

*** New version published on youmagine, because Thingiverse website is garbage ***

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5194209

After switching to a GT2 belt configuration, and needing a solid belt clamping mechanism without the complications of integrated tensioning, I decided to design my own XY blocks.

The factory bronze bushings are very prone to clamping deformation and bind, so I wanted something with separate bushing and belt clamping. I designed these around some replacement bushings I got from Robotdigg that have a 12mm OD instead of the stock 11mm. If there is some interest, I can kick out an 11mm version as well.

I made allowances to insert M3 nuts into the blocks for all connections, so no plastic threads are relied on. The one exception being that I left holes in the block back face to thread in an M3 bolt in various positions to trip the limit switches. This means all 4 blocks are identical prints, and you decided which need a bolt, where, for limit switch triggering.

One of the biggest benefits of this design is the ability to square the print head by loosening a single bolt on each block to release the belt. This means no more fumbling with pulley set screws! The other benefit of this is that once the belt is released, there is almost no drag compared to loosening pulleys where you are still moving belts and spinning pulleys on the 8mm shafts. This gives you a MUCH more clear picture of how freely your print head moves. I actually discovered that my printed print head was holding the 6mm shafts slightly out of square, so forcing them square to the 8mm shafts actually induced bind! You can simply loosen the belt clamps on two opposing XY blocks, move the print head back and forth by hand and reclamp.

I have now added models for a few custom machine configurations. If you have a stock Ultimaker, you need:

(4) XY Block - 11mm bushing / 6mm rod 

(4) Shaft Clamp 6mm

(4) Belt clamp (or the "tight" varient for more clamping power)

Otherwise, you probably know the size of your perimeter bushings and rods and can pick the appropriate files.

Materials and methods

-(8) M3x14mm [for 6mm clamp]

-(4) M3x10mm [for belt clamp]

-(4) M3x20mm [for bushing clamp]

-(4) M3x12mm [for limit switch tripping]

-(16) M3 Nuts

Documents

Issues

Issues are used to track todos, bugs or requests. To get started, you could create an issue.

Comments

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Doesn't look like my new version posted on Thingiverse has gotten any activity.

If someone needs a different variant, please post over there...

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5194209

Mini rowiac avatarrowiac commented ago

@ccs86 Thanks for the "v3" updated design. It looks good, however, is there any chance you could make a version for the stock 11mm bronze bushings and 6mm rods? Either that, or provide STEP files for the design? I tried to edit the STLs to fit my stock bushings, but it's really a chore to work with mesh files.

I've been using an earlier version of your "v1" design for a few years, except I shimmed the bushings with paper to make up the difference between the 12mm design and the 11mm actual bushing dimension. This worked for a long time, but now the bushings are starting to slip out of the blocks, so I figured it's time to upgrade to the proper blocks.

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Okay guys, sorry they never fixed this. Thanks for being patient. I have actually done a lot of development on my printer recently, and first converted from 6mm to 8mm crossed rods, and then to crossed linear rails!

I decided to ditch the 1 piece XY block design, since I was really tired of messing with the pulleys. So, rather than reupload the "v2" design, I just updated my "v3" 2-piece version for normal 6mm rods.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5194209

I did my best to list out the hardware stuff. Having a good assortment of M3 screws is a good idea. I linked the m3 heat set nuts I like. If you are feeling brave, you can just cut the old XY blocks off and install these without having to remove the pulleys and perimeter rods.

Mini rowiac avatarrowiac commented ago

@ccs86 It's been a couple of months and the new version of the XY blocks is still inaccessible on Youmagine. Any chance you could re-upload the design?

Mini 636790 300Thomas Beck commented ago

Thanks for confirming the issue guys! I reported it to Youmagine too, but didn't even hear back from them. When you look at how often updates are communicated to the community through their different social media channels, it seems they abandoned the platform long time ago ...

Cheers, Tom

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

I'm actually getting that same error too, but I can access the edit page. Very odd.

I submitted a request to youmagine to fix this issue, and updated the link in this description. Hang tight. Hopefully it will be back online soon.

Mini rowiac avatarrowiac commented ago

@plasmasolutions I can confirm that I also get a server error 500 when trying to access the v2 version of the xy blocks. Also, the link to access is wrong because it tries to go to the edit page, but you probably figured that part out.

Mini 636790 300Thomas Beck commented ago

Hi Lars, do you also have issues accessing your v2 version of the xy blocks? Is there any other way to get them?

I always get a server error 500 when accessing https://www.youmagine.com/designs/lars-v2-ultimaker-xy-blocks. If anyone could confirm that, I'll notify youmagine...

06007b2e23efab58165d7ab5cf7f12f3?default=blank&size=40Tobiasz Zysk added this to the UMO collection ago
Mini sany0007calinb added this to the UMO collection ago
96c2f4f604a3d3b0b968a9d52f46d57e?default=blank&size=40mbartell added this to the umo+ collection ago
7f746f3fe4c3f7bdd0d014185e823348?default=blank&size=40Steven added this to the UMO+ upgrades collection ago
26761f6fed3dfad4a3b48fa706525015?default=blank&size=40Wusel added this to the mt collection ago
454673ee6c6b05615f52bcda507dfd42?default=blank&size=40JohnInOttawa commented ago

Good morning! I am still testing, but so far, so good.

I was able to modify one block in Fusion, filled in the limit switch holes for stiffness, then thinned the back for clearance. This meant that the retained nut and part of the machine screw head that clamp the bushing sat proud of the surface, so once I had enough clamping pressure on the busing, I ran the back of the block along a fine metal file until everything was flush again.

I haven't tested this yet with the bed all the way down, I think the Z screw will come in a bit and I will probably know for sure then.

I would upload this mod, but a) I don't know how and b) I'm not yet confident that my solution works full travel.

I will look at your modified version as it may be better than my work around. Thanks for continuing to support this!

Cheers

John

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

How did it go John?

I finally got my new design uploaded:

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/lars-v2-ultimaker-xy-blocks

454673ee6c6b05615f52bcda507dfd42?default=blank&size=40JohnInOttawa commented ago

Thanks for your response! I'll file down the one I have and see how much material I need to remove, will see if I can post a comparison here.

Cheers

John

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

The fastest fix would probably be to just file or dremel the interfering material away.

I actually have a new design for these, with a separate rear block, for even lighter weight and no clearance issues. I'm not sure when I'll post them though.

454673ee6c6b05615f52bcda507dfd42?default=blank&size=40JohnInOttawa commented ago

Just installing these on a UMO without the heated bed. Having the same interference issues on rear x axis, the block hits the lead screw and vertical rods. About 0.3mm from what I can see.

531235c7420172ceddd698df9b5da7fe?default=blank&size=40Stephen Brew added this to the UMO Stuff collection ago
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Bcbf3000397afde5dd1875cf5476e84b?default=blank&size=40wowowaa added this to the Ultimaker collection ago
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8f921f3c040c44b3226d53e1da3cf6bf?default=blank&size=40M.Schubert added this to the Ultimaker 2 collection ago
154e49111addc9736b355aa29ea00134?default=blank&size=40saviowong added this to the UM3 collection ago
11e793e3087d45534e8e4e7ed7d6f3fa?default=blank&size=40Jorgen_gr added this to the Cl260 collection ago
9808f7f0c2b2cdcaf10af6f167956e76?default=blank&size=40Leo Taylor added this to the Want to print collection ago
220498aee9e7423731d005e0416c8ddd?default=blank&size=40VGer01 added this to the Ultimake upgrades collection ago
60c8691cedfcf939fc352716b43d5248?default=blank&size=40Chris Branson added this to the Printer Parts collection ago
Mini jens profiljeracom printed this ago
Carousel thumb welle
Printed on:
Ultimaker Original+
Mini 636790 300Thomas Beck added this to the UM Original updates collection ago
Mini rowiac avatarrowiac added this to the UMO Mods collection ago
3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Nice work catohagen!

How did the sizes work out when sintered?

Mini madfish avatarcatohagen printed this ago
Carousel thumb imag0192  1
Printed on:
ultimaker original
Result:
Wanted them strong so I printed them in Colorfabb XT but didnt get a clean surface finish, so I ended up ordering them from Shapeways :) Sintered in nylon so they are rigid and strong and all dimentions are perfect. Upgraded belts to GT2 from Robotdigg.
74637ddd9c05e8569750b756b7313729?default=blank&size=40Scherdin added this to the Ultimaker collection ago
20c2f944d93975910cd24c4c76e9c75c?default=blank&size=40Ryan Lake added this to the Ultimaker Original+ Upgrade collection ago
2f03fcee8cbf966df2439e19c6f07641?default=blank&size=40Jochem77 commented ago

@Jeffrey Burdick: Check if your pulleys are not too close or too far from the back panel.

E5630f8abd9a3ef48ab5c3149b815888?default=blank&size=40Jeffrey Burdick commented ago

I just printed these and installed them on my UMO+ and found that the X axis block closes to the Z axis rods actually interferes slightly. It's not by much, but it will noticeably stick when moving past them.

I'm guessing since no one else has experienced this that I'm alone in this problem. Odd.

151ce6b327581aa62cd68725807500db?default=blank&size=40cupid0426 added this to the Ultimaker collection ago
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60950dd31917645cf7066679bdd307f7?default=blank&size=40Petrica Dragusin added this to the ultimaker collection ago
Ee44e1dfdef79bb5e2fc87832737eb76?default=blank&size=40ficklecycler added this to the Ultimaker / Smartmaker Clone collection ago
Ba2dfb12d93b502c89b217fbec54a300?default=blank&size=40perlguy added this to the Ultimaker collection ago
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Mini avatar3lMariuszEm printed this ago
Carousel thumb zrzut ekranu 2016 04 22 o 14.32.13
Printed on:
Ultimaker - Ultimaker Original
Result:
Nice one
Feedback:
Awesome job Lars!
7eb4d6d0d8fc9cc25fe43fe74c3057a0?default=blank&size=40Maciej added this to the Ultimaker collection ago
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3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Okay guys, I went ahead and posted the requested configurations. There are now 6mm and 8mm rod clamps, and 4 configurations of XY block for all combinations of 11mm/12mm bushing OD, and 6mm/8mm rods. Enjoy!

E410067fb7b7156f22d058ab80f0ccca?default=blank&size=40Louis Rouanne added this to the UMO+ collection ago
Mini 12much logoBoy Bakhuys commented ago

Love these:-) I'll print them this week for an Extended Ultimaker. There is already a request for 8mm crossrods. Are you planning to do so? Would the original files be obtainable? You'll get them back when changed. Otherwise I'll have to redraw your design:-)

Tnxx

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3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

I was thinking about making a different clamp for MXL belts, but just had a thought that if you scaled them a couple percent in Z alone, that would probably do the trick.

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Enjoy!

Are you running the original MXL belts? I designed these for the GT2 belts I am running (I would highly recommend them, great value upgrade) and they are possibly thicker.

I had initially designed the GT2 belt profile into the clamp for super strong lockup. But you lose the very fine adjustability that the flat clamp gives.

2f03fcee8cbf966df2439e19c6f07641?default=blank&size=40Jochem77 commented ago

I like them very much. I will print new ones now the printer prints much better.

I noticed the belts didn't clamp well, so I put a peace of rubberband between. Works great.

2f03fcee8cbf966df2439e19c6f07641?default=blank&size=40Jochem77 printed this ago
Carousel thumb dsc 0553
Printed on:
Ultimaker Original+
3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 commented ago

Which size bushing 11mm or 12mm?

0a2a17e05d178603f781232b0aa27368?default=blank&size=40Thomas Roager commented ago

Hello

is it possbile for you to make it for cross rods with 8mm instead of 6 ? :)

3ce8201028c7b9d4acdcb449ecea3445?default=blank&size=40CCS86 published this design ago