Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
23
Time Required
02:00:00
- 01. Frame Assembly 23 steps
User-Contributed Guide
This guide is not managed by the site's staff.
Introduction
Please note: All measurements provided in this guide are based upon building a 300x300 V-Core 3.
If you are building a machine of a different size, the following adjustments can be made to the stated extrusion lengths:
- 200x200: Remove 100mm
- 400x400: Add 100mm
- 500x500: Add 200mm
It is strongly recommended to assemble the frame on a known flat surface (such as a solid table, work surface or similar). Assembling the frame on a carpeted floor, or other non-flat surface, can cause the finished frame to not be square. This can cause issues with print quality and performance.
The V-Core 3.1 frame is built upside down. This is done to aid in keeping all critical sections of the frame square.
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A dedicated set of guides for building an enclosed V-Core 3.1 using the Enclosure 2.0 kit is available here.
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Please only follow this guide when building a non-enclosed V-Core 3.1 printer.
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2x 450mm 3030 Extrusion
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2x 440mm 3030 Extrusion
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1x 420mm 3030 Extrusion
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10x 90 Degree Corner Assembly
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450mm 3030 Extrusion
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440mm 3030 Extrusion
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420mm 3030 Extrusion
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90 Degree Corner Assembly
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Install one corner assembly onto each end of both 440mm 3030 extrusions as shown. Tighten the M6x12 screw to secure them.
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Ensure the corner assemblies are flush and square with the ends of the extrusions after tightening the screws
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Assemble the 450mm and 440mm extrusions together as shown, making sure the extrusion joints are square
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Tighten the remaining M6x12 screws to secure the exterior of the subframe together
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420mm 3030 Extrusion
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Position the extrusion as shown. The measurements shown should be equal and will be 205mm for a 300x300 frame
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90 Degree Corner Assembly
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Install the corner assembly as shown, and secure both M6x12 screws
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Check that the 420mm extrusion is positioned correctly and is square
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Install the corner assembly as shown, and secure both M6x12 screws
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Check that the 420mm extrusion is positioned correctly and is square
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Measure both of the distances shown using a long ruler (preferred), or a tape measure. The measurements should be equal to each other, and should be as close as possible to the following:
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200x200: 509.3mm
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300x300: 650.7mm
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400x400: 792.1mm
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500x500: 933.5mm
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If the measurements are not equal, and are not close to those shown above, double check all corners are square and then check again
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90 Degree Corner Assembly
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Install one corner assembly onto each position shown. Tighten the M6x12 screw to secure them.
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Ensure the corner assemblies are flush and square with the ends of the extrusions after tightening the screws
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Set this assembly aside until Step 15
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510mm 3030 Extrusion
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Corner Plate Assembly
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Secure the corner plates to the extrusion by fastening the five M6x12 screws
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Check all of the corner plates to make sure they are square to the extrusion, and flush with the ends
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Assembly from the previous step
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Corner plate assembly
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Secure the corner plates to the extrusion by fastening the five M6x12 screws
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Check all of the corner plates to make sure they are square to the extrusion, and flush with the ends
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4x 505mm 3030 Extrusion
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4x 440mm 3030 Extrusion
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2x Base Corner Plate Assembly A
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2x Base Corner Plate Assembly B
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2x 90 Degree Corner Assembly
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Assemblies from Step 8
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440mm 3030 Extrusion
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Install one 440mm 3030 extrusion onto the top and bottom of one corner assembly as shown
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Tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the 3030 extrusions to the corner assembly
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Install the opposing corner assembly onto the other ends of the 3030 extrusions as shown
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Tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to the 3030 extrusions
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Repeat the above steps for the second assembly
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It is highly recommended to check the end assemblies for squareness before proceeding
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End assembly
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Place an engineers square on the lower 3030 extrusion as shown
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Carefully slide the square towards the corner
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If the connection between extrusions is square, there should be no gap between the long edge of the square and the extrusion next to it
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If the connection is not square, loosen the M6x12 screws connecting the corner plate to this extrusion, adjust in the directions shown and then check for squareness again
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Repeat this process for all four corners on the assembly and then repeat everything for the second end assembly
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End Assembly
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505mm 3030 Extrusion
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Install one 505mm 3030 extrusion onto each side of the end assembly as shown
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Tighten both the marked M6x12 screws, and the corresponding ones on the other side, to secure the 3030 extrusions to the end assembly
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Install the opposing end assembly onto the other ends of the 3030 extrusions as shown
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Tighten both the marked M6x12 screws, and the corresponding ones on the other side, to secure the end assembly to the 3030 extrusions
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It is highly recommended to check the frame assembly for squareness before proceeding
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Partial V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly
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Place an engineers square on the lower 3030 extrusion as shown
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Carefully slide the square towards the corner
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If the connection between extrusions is square, there should be no gap between the long edge of the square and the extrusion next to it
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If the connection is not square, loosen the M6x12 screws connecting the corner plate to this extrusion, adjust in the directions shown and then check for squareness again
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Repeat this process for all four corners on the partial frame assembly
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To proceed with the assembly, the four marked corner plate assemblies must be removed
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Corner Plate Assembly to remove
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Loosen the three marked M6x12 screws on each plate and place them aside
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You will require two of the corner plate assemblies for Step 17 and two for Step 19
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If you plan to use an electronics panel, it is highly recommended to assemble and install it now. Installing a single, large, panel after further assembly is not possible
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If you do not plan to use an electronics panel, or plan to use a split panel, you may skip to Step 17
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22x M6x12mm Cap Head Screw
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22x M6 Washer
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22x 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6
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Electronics Panel Assembly
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3x Cable Guide Printed Part ( Provided in the Electronics Extra Kit )
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Fasten all M6x12 screws to secure the electronics panel to the electronics subframe assembly
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V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly
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Electronics Subframe Assembly
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Pay attention to the orientation of the electronics subframe
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Slot the electronics subframe assembly into the V-Core 3.1 frame assembly as shown
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The gap shown between the V-Core 3.1 frame and the electronics subframe should measure 47mm minus the thickness of your electronics panel on all machine sizes
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For example: Using a 4mm thick electronics panel, the gap would measure 43mm (47mm minus 4mm)
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Once positioned correctly, tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the electronics subframe in place
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505mm 3030 Extrusion
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Place the 505mm 3030 extrusion into the frame as shown
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Tighten the marked M6x12 screw to secure the 505mm 3030 extrusion to the electronics subframe
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Re-install the two 90 degree corner assemblies as shown
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Tighten all of the M6x12 screws on the two 90 degree corner assemblies
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V-Core 3.1 frame assembly
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90 degree corner assembly
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Install the corner assembly into the corner of the two 3030 extrusions as shown
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Tighten both M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to both the main frame and the subframe
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505mm 3030 Extrusion
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Place the 505mm 3030 extrusion into the frame as shown
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Tighten the marked M6x12 screw to secure the 505mm 3030 extrusion to the electronics sub frame
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Re-install the two 90 degree corner assemblies as shown
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Tighten all of the M6x12 screws on the two 90 degree corner assemblies
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V-Core 3.1 frame assembly
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90 degree corner assembly
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Install the corner assembly into the corner of the two 3030 extrusions as shown
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Tighten both M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to both the main frame and the subframe
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Base corner plate assembly A
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Base corner plate assembly B
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Install each corner plate assembly onto the marked corners
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Tighten the three marked M6x12 screws on each corner plate
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Tighten the marked M5x18 screw on each corner plate
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Turn the V-Core 3.1 frame assembly over, and rest it on its feet
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