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07. Bed Arm Assemblies

Written By: Simon Davie
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User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

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Introduction

Please note: The lead screw measurements provided in this guide are based upon building a 300x300 V-Core 3.

If you are building a machine of a different size, please refer to the following list for the correct lead screw length for your machine:

  • 200x200: 3x 280mm lead screws
  • 300x300: 3x 380mm lead screws
  • 400x400: 3x 480mm lead screws
  • 500x500: 3x 580mm lead screws

  1. 1x bed_arm_right_3.1 Printed Part

    • 1x bed_arm_right_3.1 Printed Part

    • 1x bed_arm_left_3.1 Printed Part

    • 4x M3x12 Countersink Screw

    • 4x 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • 2x Neodymium Magnet

    • 4x M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    Edit

  2. bed_arm_left_3.1 Printed Part bed_arm_right_3.1 Printed Part 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • bed_arm_left_3.1 Printed Part

    • bed_arm_right_3.1 Printed Part

    • 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • Insert two dowel pins into each arm as shown

    • Please note: The dowel pins are quite a tight fit. It is recommended to use a pair of pliers to install them by twisting each pin in the same manner you would install a screw

    • Do not use excessive force to install the pins as this can cause damage to the printed part

    Edit

    I found that gentle tapping with a soft mallet was easier than pliers. Very light tapping to get it started, then lots of rapid tapping to move it in the rest of the way.

    Jeremy - Reply

    It should be 4x35mm Dowel Pin instead if 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    Pieter Van Nueten - Reply

    3x35mm means 3mm diameter x 35 mm length dowel pins. The quantity of 4 was stated in the prior step.

    Jeremy -

  3. Left Bed Arm Assembly Right Bed Arm Assembly M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • Left Bed Arm Assembly

    • Right Bed Arm Assembly

    • M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • Insert an M3 nut into each marked position

    Edit

    The nut holes were very tight for me, so I took a large hex driver and lightly hammered them into place

    Henrik Paul - Reply

  4. Left Bed Arm Assembly Right Bed Arm Assembly Neodymium Magnet

    • Left Bed Arm Assembly

    • Right Bed Arm Assembly

    • Neodymium Magnet

    • M3x12 Countersink Screw

    • Install two M3x12 countersink screws into each magnet and then install them into the arms as shown

    • Take care not to over tighten the M3x12 screws as you can crack the magnets and/or damage the printed parts

    • Set these assemblies aside until Step 7

    Edit

  5. 3x TR8x4 POM Lead screw Nut

    • 3x TR8x4 POM Lead screw Nut

    • 3x Rat Rig Bi-Material Lead Screw Decoupler

    • 12x M3x8 Cap Head Screw

    Edit

  6. Rat Rig Bi-Material Lead Screw Decoupler TR8x4 POM Lead screw Nut

    • Rat Rig Bi-Material Lead Screw Decoupler

    • TR8x4 POM Lead screw Nut

    • M3x8 Cap Head Screw

    • Assemble all three lead screw decouplers as shown. Set one aside until Step 13, keep the other two for the next step

    Edit

  7. Left bed arm assembly Lead screw decoupler assembly M3x8 Cap Head Screw

    • Left bed arm assembly

    • Lead screw decoupler assembly

    • M3x8 Cap Head Screw

    • Install a lead screw decoupler assembly into each arm as shown

    • Take care not to over tighten the M3x8 screws as you damage the printed parts

    • Right bed arm assembly

    Edit

  8. 2x 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • 2x 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • 2x M3x12 Countersink Screw

    • 2x M3x35 Cap Head Screw

    • 4x M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • 4x M3x12 Cap Head Screw

    • 1x Neodymium Magnet

    • 1x bed_arm_rear_3.1 Printed Part

    • 1x bed_cable_relief_3.1 Printed Part

    Edit

  9. bed_arm_rear_3.1 Printed Part 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • bed_arm_rear_3.1 Printed Part

    • 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    • Insert two dowel pins into the arm as shown

    • Please note: The dowel pins are quite a tight fit. It is recommended to use a pair of pliers to install them by twisting each pin in the same manner you would install a screw

    • Do not use excessive force to install the pins as this can cause damage to the printed part

    Edit

    It should be 2x35mm Dowel Pin instead if 3x35mm Dowel Pin

    Pieter Van Nueten - Reply

    I think the author makes reference to the size of the pin, not the quantity. Assuming they are two elements as it can be viewed in the picture.

    Albert -

  10. Rear bed arm assembly M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • Rear bed arm assembly

    • M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • Insert an M3 nut into each marked position

    Edit

  11. Rear bed arm assembly Neodymium Magnet

    • Rear bed arm assembly

    • Neodymium Magnet

    • M3x12 Countersink Screw

    • Install two M3x12 countersink screws into the magnet and then install it into the arm as shown

    • Take care not to over tighten the M3x12 screws as you can crack the magnet and/or damage the printed part

    Edit

  12. Rear bed arm assembly M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut bed_cable_relief_3.1 Printed Part

    • Rear bed arm assembly

    • M3 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

    • bed_cable_relief_3.1 Printed Part

    • M3x35 Cap Head Screw

    • Install the M3x35 screws through the bed_cable_relief_3.1 printed part, rear bed arm, and fasten them into the M3 nylon locking nuts

    • Take care not to over tighten the M3x35 screws as you can damage the printed parts

    Edit

  13. V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly Rear bed arm assembly M3x12 Cap Head Screw

    • V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly

    • Rear bed arm assembly

    • M3x12 Cap Head Screw

    • Install the M3x12 screws into the arm as shown, then fasten the arm to the rear linear rail carriage

    • Lead screw decoupler assembly from Step 6

    • M3x8 Cap Head Screw

    • Install a lead screw decoupler assembly into the rear arm as shown

    • Take care not to over tighten the M3 screws as you damage the printed part

    Edit

    Is there a reason that the decouple is added after the arm is attached? Isn't it easier to fit it before attaching the arm to the printer

    tony - Reply

    I recommend using neodymium magnets at the end of the rails as a simple way to prevent disaster.

    Albert - Reply

    I used a 5mm drill bit from the front to make the holes large enough to push the m3 screws through to the back - then a long allen wrench to start them. I had about 1 mm through the back before trying to mount them on the block

    david wilson - Reply

    I clip the centering tool at the top of the back rail as a reminder.

    Brentley Beerline - Reply

    If you are as stupid or unlucky as I was you’ll pull the carriage over the end of the linear rail while trying to install the rear arm ;) I recomment putting a piece of tape on the end of the rail to avoid that. It only takes a few minutes to find the small steel balls and put them into the carriage again , but it still make you feel less intelligent and you are screwed if you cannot find all the balls.

    Kenneth Jensen - Reply

    I found it easier to use a long needle nose pliers to insert the M3x12 cap screws into the rear bed arm assembly and push them into the holes with a long hex wrench. If you try to go through the holes as marked, you run the risk of the cap screw falling off the wrench before it seats into the other hole.

    Matt Modica - Reply

  14. 3x 380mm TR8x4 Lead Screws

    • 3x 380mm TR8x4 Lead Screws

    • 8x M3x20 Cap Head Screw

    Edit

  15. Rear bed arm assembly 380mm TR8x4 Lead Screw Install the lead screw through the rear bed arm and decoupler

    • Rear bed arm assembly

    • 380mm TR8x4 Lead Screw

    • Install the lead screw through the rear bed arm and decoupler

    • Do not force the lead screw through the POM nut on the decoupler as this can cause damage. It should thread through smoothly

    • Rigid Lead Screw Coupler

    • Continue threading the lead screw through the arm until it reaches the rigid lead screw coupler on the rear Z-axis motor mount

    • Insert the lead screw fully into the rigid coupler

    • Fasten the marked M3 screw to secure the lead screw to the NEMA17 motor

    Edit

  16. Front right bed arm assembly 380mm TR8x4 lead screw Install the lead screw through the front bed arm and decoupler

    • Front right bed arm assembly

    • 380mm TR8x4 lead screw

    • Install the lead screw through the front bed arm and decoupler

    • Do not force the lead screw through the POM nut on the decoupler as this can cause damage. It should thread through smoothly

    • Continue threading the lead screw through the arm until it reaches the rigid lead screw coupler on the front right Z-axis motor mount

    • M3x20 Cap Head Screw

    • Install each screw through the bed arm assembly as shown, then fasten the arm to the linear rail carriage

    Edit

  17. Rigid Lead Screw Coupler Insert the lead screw fully into the rigid coupler

    • Rigid Lead Screw Coupler

    • Insert the lead screw fully into the rigid coupler

    • Fasten the marked M3 screw to secure the lead screw to the NEMA17 motor

    Edit

  18. Front left bed arm assembly 380mm TR8x4 lead screw Install the lead screw through the front bed arm and decoupler

    • Front left bed arm assembly

    • 380mm TR8x4 lead screw

    • Install the lead screw through the front bed arm and decoupler

    • Do not force the lead screw through the POM nut on the decoupler as this can cause damage. It should thread through smoothly

    • Continue threading the lead screw through the arm until it reaches the rigid lead screw coupler on the front left Z-axis motor mount

    • M3x20 Cap Head Screw

    • Install each screw through the bed arm assembly as shown, then fasten the arm to the linear rail carriage

    Edit

  19. Rigid Lead Screw Coupler Insert the lead screw fully into the rigid coupler

    • Rigid Lead Screw Coupler

    • Insert the lead screw fully into the rigid coupler

    • Fasten the marked M3 screw to secure the lead screw to the NEMA17 motor

    Edit

  20. 1x lead_screw_constraint_rear_3.1 Printed Part

    • 1x lead_screw_constraint_rear_3.1 Printed Part

    • 6x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • 6x 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6

    • 1x lead_screw_constraint_front_left_3.1 Printed Part

    • 1x lead_screw_constraint_front_right_3.1 Printed Part

    • 3x F688ZZ Ball Bearing

    Edit

    i followed the order of the instructions, but had to use a large pliers to seat the bearing when it was placed on the support.

    Also curious what distance from the top the bearing should end up. No real instructions on that

    david wilson - Reply

    It must be aligned with the horizontal 2020 extrusion or with the end of the rail, depending on the screw that you are aligning.

    Albert -

    I totally agree with Roberto. I simply used a quick grip to insert them, but it’s so much easier to do it before installation. Be aware of the correct orientation of the bearing. The flange is to be on top(opposite side of the screws) but this is easy to see in the instructions below.

    Kenneth Jensen - Reply

    Beware that the bearing part might be difficult if done in the order suggested. I had to disassemble and do the bearing outside and use a clamp to force it. Depending how your printed your parts it might be a real tight fit. Lower the arm a bit instead of the top so that the constraint can drop in with the lead screw having more ‘play’. If not you wont be able to get it in if you do the bearing first.

    Roberto Hernandez - Reply

    Thanks for the comment, very useful.

    Albert -

  21. lead_screw_constraint_rear_3.1 Printed Part M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • lead_screw_constraint_rear_3.1 Printed Part

    • M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • Insert an M6x12 cap head screw into each position on the lead screw constraint as shown

    • 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6

    • Loosely thread a 3030 T-Nut onto each of the M6x20 screws. Do not tighten them at this point

    Edit

  22. lead_screw_constraint_left_3.1 Printed Part lead_screw_constraint_right_3.1 Printed Part M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • lead_screw_constraint_left_3.1 Printed Part

    • lead_screw_constraint_right_3.1 Printed Part

    • M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • Insert an M6x12 cap head screw into each position on the lead screw constraint as shown

    • 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6

    • Loosely thread a 3030 T-Nut onto each of the M6x20 screws. Do not tighten them at this point

    Edit

  23. Rear lead screw constraint assembly from Step 21 Position the constraint assembly so that the rear lead screw passes through the hole Rotate the constraint assembly clockwise and fit it to the rear 3030 extrusion as shown

    • Rear lead screw constraint assembly from Step 21

    • Position the constraint assembly so that the rear lead screw passes through the hole

    • Rotate the constraint assembly clockwise and fit it to the rear 3030 extrusion as shown

    • Push the constraint assembly upwards until it touches the horizontal 3030 extrusion

    Edit

    Useful comment! I also applied small amount of liquid soap on the printed parts in the bearing bushing.

    Mihály Farkas - Reply

    Bearings were a really tight fit in my constraint part. I installed them before assembling onto the frame. This worked great.

    Lane Slabaugh - Reply

    Thanks for the comment, it was very useful!

    Albert -

  24. M6x12 Cap Head Screw Fasten both M6x12 screws to secure the constraint assembly to the V-Core 3.1 frame Take care not to over tighten the M6 screws as you damage the printed part

    • M6x12 Cap Head Screw

    • Fasten both M6x12 screws to secure the constraint assembly to the V-Core 3.1 frame

    • Take care not to over tighten the M6 screws as you damage the printed part

    • F688ZZ Ball Bearing

    • Fit the bearing onto the lead screw and into the constraint assembly as shown

    Edit

  25. Right lead screw constraint assembly from Step 22 Fit the constraint assembly to the frame as shown Push the constraint assembly downwards until its top is flush with the top of the linear rail

    • Right lead screw constraint assembly from Step 22

    • Fit the constraint assembly to the frame as shown

    • Push the constraint assembly downwards until its top is flush with the top of the linear rail

    • Fasten both M6x12 screws to secure the constraint assembly to the V-Core 3.1 frame

    Edit

  26. F688ZZ Ball Bearing Fit the bearing onto the lead screw and into the constraint assembly as shown

    • F688ZZ Ball Bearing

    • Fit the bearing onto the lead screw and into the constraint assembly as shown

    Edit

  27. Left lead screw constraint assembly from Step 22 Fit the constraint assembly to the frame as shown Push the constraint assembly downwards until its top is flush with the top of the linear rail

    • Left lead screw constraint assembly from Step 22

    • Fit the constraint assembly to the frame as shown

    • Push the constraint assembly downwards until its top is flush with the top of the linear rail

    • Fasten both M6x12 screws to secure the constraint assembly to the V-Core 3.1 frame

    Edit

  28. F688ZZ Ball Bearing Fit the bearing onto the lead screw and into the constraint assembly as shown

    • F688ZZ Ball Bearing

    • Fit the bearing onto the lead screw and into the constraint assembly as shown

    Edit
  29. Edit
Finish Line

29 other people completed this guide.

Author

Simon Davie

Member since: 08/05/2021

20,813 Reputation

48 Guides authored

One Comment

I guess POM lead screw nuts will NOT require any lubrication - maybe a comment would avoid confusion.

Bjoern - Reply

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