12. Electronics

The following tools are required for this guide:

Allen key / hex wrenches in the following sizes: 2mm, 2.5mm & 5mm

Spanners / wrenches in the following sizes: 5.5mm, 7mm, 10mm & 15mm

The following tools are recommended for this guide:

A slim 7mm hex socket and ratchet, or 7mm socket driver

The six panels for the V-Core 4.0 aluminium electronics enclosure are provided as a single pack (SKU: HW3944GC)

1x Lid panel

1x Base panel

1x IEC inlet panel

1x Bottom vent panel

2x Top / Side vent panels

4x vc4_electronics_1.2_corner assemblies (SKU: PP000352)

1x 40A Solid State Relay (SKU: HW1733EC)

1x 250W 24V Fanless Power Supply (SKU: HW1351EC)

2x M4x12 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3259SC)

4x M4x6 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3777SC)

2x M4 Locking Hex Nut (SKU: HW1374NC)

5x M3 Hex Standoff - 35mm (SKU: HW3935NC)

13x M3x6 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3414SC)

1x 40A Solid State Relay

The Solid State Relay has a plastic guard on each end. These must be rotated upwards as shown

1x Electronics enclosure base panel

Locate the two marked holes in the base panel

2x M4x12 Countersink Screw

Insert an M4x12 Countersink Screw into each marked hole

When correctly installed, the screw heads should be flat with the panel

1x 40A Solid State Relay

The Solid State Relay has a high voltage and low voltage side, and needs to be oriented correctly

Make sure that the red LED indicator on the Solid State Relay faces towards the right hand side of the panel

2x M4 Locking Hex Nut

Install an M4 Locking Hex Nut onto each M4x12 screw as shown

It is recommended, and easier, to use a 7mm socket driver or a slim 7mm hex socket and ratchet to tighten the M4 Locking Hex Nuts

It is also possible to use a flat head screwdriver, or needle-nose pliers, to prevent the nut from turning whilst tightening the screws

Close the plastic guards on the Solid State Relay

Verify the orientation of the Solid State Relay before continuing

Make sure that the red LED indicator on the Solid State Relay faces towards the right hand side of the panel

Locate the two marked holes in the base panel

2x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

1x vc4_electronics_1.2_corner assembly

Tighten both M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the corner assembly to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Repeat step 8 and step 9 to install the remaining three corners as shown

Locate the five marked holes in the base panel

5x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

In this step, the Solid State Relay has been faded out to avoid obscuring the instructions

5x M3 Hex Standoff - 35mm

Thread a Hex Standoff onto each of the five M3 Countersink Screws as shown and tighten them

Locate the four marked holes in the base panel

4x M4x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M4x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

1x 250W 24V Fanless power supply

Tighten all four M4x6 Countersink Screws to secure the power supply to the base panel

2x vc4_adapter_octopus (SKU: PP000301)

2x vc4_adapter_rpi (SKU: PP000302)

1x vc4_cable_guide_4 (SKU: PP000304)

3x vc4_cable_guide_5 (SKU: PP000305)

1x vc4_cable_guide_cross (SKU: PP000306)

18x M3x6 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3414SC)

Locate the two marked holes in the base panel

2x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

1x vc4_cable_guide_cross

Tighten both M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the cable guide to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Locate the two marked holes in the base panel

2x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

1x vc4_cable_guide_4

Tighten both M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the cable guide to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Locate the six marked holes in the base panel

6x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

3x vc4_cable_guide_5

Tighten all six M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the cable guides to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Locate the four marked holes in the base panel

4x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

2x vc4_adapter_octopus

Tighten all four M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the cable guides to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Locate the four marked holes in the base panel

4x M3x6 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the marked holes

2x vc4_adapter_rpi

Tighten all four M3x6 Countersink Screws to secure the cable guides to the base panel

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Set this assembly aside until step 34

1x IEC Socket - Schurter 6100.3200 (SKU: HW3957EC)

1x Fuse Holder - EATON BK2-HTJ-608I (SKU: HW3958EC)

1x Fuse - 6.3x32mm Time-Lag 15A (SKU: HW3959EC)

2x M3x12 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW1874SC)

2x M3 Locking Hex Nut (SKU: HW1251NC)

16x M3x6 Button Head Screw (SKU: HW1337SC)

1x Fuse Holder - EATON BK2-HTJ-608I

1x Fuse Holder retaining nut

Unscrew and remove the retaining nut, set it somewhere safe until step 31

1x Fuse Holder washer

Remove the washer and set it somewhere safe until step 31

Set the prepared fuse holder aside until step 30

1x IEC inlet panel from step 2

Make sure the panel is oriented as shown, with the rectangular hole at the bottom

1x IEC Socket - Schurter 6100.3200

Insert the IEC socket into the panel as shown

Make sure that the middle pin of the IEC socket is at the bottom

2x M3x12 Countersink Screw

Insert an M3x12 Countersink Screw into each of the holes on the IEC socket and through the panel

2x M3 Locking Hex Nut

Install an M3 Locking Hex Nut onto each of the M3x12 screws and tighten them to secure the IEC socket to the panel

The M3 Locking Hex Nuts can be held with a 5.5mm spanner, wrench or socket

1x Prepared Fuse Holder from step 27

Rotate the fuse holder, so the flat surface is aligned with the flat on the panel cutout

Angle the fuse holder and insert it into the panel as shown

1x Fuse Holder Washer from step 27

Slide the washer back onto the fuse holder body, positioning it next to the panel as shown

1x Fuse Holder Retaining Nut from step 27

Slide the retaining nut back onto the fuse holder body as shown

Holding the fuse holder, to prevent it from spinning, tighten the retaining nut onto the threaded section to secure the fuse holder to the panel

Using excessive force to tighten the retaining nut can damage the plastic threads on the fuse holder

1x Fuse Holder Cap

Use a flat head screwdriver to open the fuse holder by turning it a quarter turn counterclockwise

Set the cap aside for the next step

1x Fuse - 6.3x32mm time-lag 15A

Insert the fuse fully into the holder, as shown

1x Fuse Holder Cap

Insert the cap into the fuse holder and secure it by turning it a quarter turn clockwise with a flat head screwdriver

Set this assembly aside until step 35

1x Electronics enclosure assembly from step 25

1x Bottom vent panel from step 2

Align the bottom vent panel as shown, making sure the vented section is on the right hand side

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw

Tighten all four M3x6 Button Head Screws to secure the panel to the base enclosure assembly

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

1x IEC inlet panel assembly from step 33

Align the IEC inlet panel as shown, making sure the IEC inlet is on the right-hand side

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw

Tighten all four M3x6 Button Head Screws to secure the panel to the base enclosure assembly

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

1x Top / side vent panel from step 2

Align the top vent panel as shown

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw

Tighten all four M3x6 Button Head Screws to secure the panel to the base enclosure assembly

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

1x Top / side vent panel from step 2

Align the top vent panel as shown

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw

Tighten all four M3x6 Button Head Screws to secure the panel to the base enclosure assembly

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

Set the electronics enclosure assembly aside until step 48

1x BIGTREETECH Octopus v1.1 motherboard (SKU: HW2832EC)

5x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver (SKU: HW2052EC)

5x Blue anodised heatsink (Included in the stepper driver box)

If you are building a Hybrid or IDEX variant of the V-Core 4.0, you need seven drivers and heatsinks instead of five

1x Raspberry Pi model 4B - 1GB (SKU: HW3790EC)

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw (SKU: HW1337SC)

4x M2.5x6 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW3775SC)

1x USB-A to USB-C cable (Included in the Octopus v1.1 box)

1x BIGTREETECH Octopus v1.1 motherboard

The Octopus motherboard is provided with jumpers preinstalled which need to be removed

Stepper driver configuration jumpers

Remove all thirty-two jumpers and set them aside

Fan voltage configuration jumpers

Remove all eight jumpers and set them aside

V-USB jumper

Leave this jumper installed (or install one if it is not present already)

It is highly recommended to flash the Octopus motherboard and ensure the board is detected in RatOS before proceeding

1x BIGTREETECH Octopus v1.1 motherboard

1x Raspberry Pi model 4B - 1GB

1x USB-A to USB-C cable

1x 5V power supply with a USB-C connector

The power supply is not included in the V-Core kit, but common mobile phone chargers will work as long as it can deliver at least 2.5A

Connect the USB-C end of the cable to the Octopus motherboard and the USB-A end to any USB port on the Raspberry Pi

Follow the installation instructions on the RatOS website until you reach step 2 of "Setting up your printer". Then power down RatOS and the Raspberry Pi before continuing

The following jumper configurations are intended for the electronics kit provided by Rat Rig. Do not blindly follow these instructions if using different hardware

Before proceeding, make sure the Raspberry Pi is powered down and unplugged and the USB cable between the Octopus motherboard and Raspberry Pi has been disconnected

V-USB jumper

Remove this jumper and set it aside

Stepper driver configuration jumpers

Install one jumper onto each position shown

This configures the stepper drivers in UART mode, allowing RatOS to tune and control them directly

Double-check the positions of all jumpers before continuing, failure to do so can lead to damage to the electronics

The following jumper configurations are intended for the electronics kit provided by Rat Rig. Do not blindly follow these instructions if using different hardware

Fan voltage configuration jumpers

24V - Electronics enclosure fan

12V - Toolhead part cooling fan

12V - Second toolhead part cooling fan (IDEX only)

24V - VAOC cooling fan (IDEX only)

Double-check the positions of all jumpers before continuing, failure to do so can lead to damage to the electronics

Store any remaining jumpers somewhere safe for future use

This step shows how to correctly install a stepper driver into the Octopus motherboard

1x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver

Align the stepper driver as shown with the longest pins facing downwards

Line up the pins of the stepper driver with the socket on the motherboard as shown

Once aligned, push the stepper driver down to fully seat it into the socket

The following stepper driver configuration is intended for the electronics kit provided by Rat Rig. Do not blindly follow these instructions if using different hardware

Install a stepper driver into each marked socket

3x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver

These stepper drivers control the Z-axis

2x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver

These stepper drivers control the X and Y axes

If you are building a CoreXY variant of the V-Core 4.0, then please skip to step 46

If you are building a Hybrid or IDEX variant of the V-Core 4.0, then please continue following the next steps

The following stepper driver configuration is intended for the electronics kit provided by Rat Rig. Do not blindly follow these instructions if using different hardware

Install a stepper driver into each marked socket

2x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver

These stepper drivers control the additional stepper motors for the Hybrid or IDEX variants of the V-Core 4.0

This step shows how to correctly install a stepper driver heatsink

1x Blue anodised heatsink

Adhesive pad cover

The adhesive to secure the heatsink to the stepper driver has a thin, blue, plastic cover, this needs to be peeled off

1x BIGTREETECH TMC2209 Stepper driver

Align the heatsink with the centre of the stepper driver as shown

The orientation of the heatsink does not matter, but they look better when all oriented the same way

Press the heatsink down gently for 5–10 seconds to make sure it adheres well

Install a heatsink onto each stepper driver

5x Blue anodised heatsink

You will need one heatsink per driver — for the Hybrid or IDEX variants of the V-Core 4.0, this means seven heatsinks instead of five

Prepared BIGTREETECH Octopus v1.1 motherboard

Align the Octopus motherboard with the printed mount as shown

4x M3x6 Button Head Screw

Tighten all four M3x6 Button Head Screws to secure the Octopus motherboard to the printed mount

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the Octopus motherboard or the printed parts

Electronics enclosure assembly

1x Raspberry Pi model 4B

Align the Raspberry Pi with the printed mount as shown

4x M2.5x6 Cap Head Screw

Tighten all four M2.5x6 Cap Head Screws to secure the Raspberry Pi to the printed mount

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the Raspberry Pi or the printed parts

Set the electronics enclosure assembly aside until later in the guide

The next few steps are specific to the IDEX variant. If you are building the CoreXY or Hybrid variant, please skip to step 57

1x Waveshare USB 3.2 Raspberry Pi Hub (SKU: HW4002EC)

1x Waveshare USB Hub-to-Pi connector (Included in the usb hub box)

4x Nylon spacer - 3.2x6x16mm (SKU: HW4006NC)

4x M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW4005SC)

1x Raspberry Pi model 4B - 1GB

1x Waveshare USB 3.2 Raspberry Pi Hub

Align the female socket with the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi as shown

Apply gentle downwards force to install the USB hub onto the Raspberry Pi

2x Nylon spacer - 3.2x6x16mm

Insert each of the nylon spacers into the gap, aligned with the screw holes as shown

2x M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked screw holes, passing through the nylon spacer and out the bottom of the Raspberry Pi

2x Nylon spacer - 3.2x6x16mm

Insert each of the nylon spacers into the gap, aligned with the screw holes as shown

2x M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked screw holes, passing through the nylon spacer and out the bottom of the Raspberry Pi

1x Waveshare USB Hub-to-Pi connector

Install the Hub-to-Pi connector into the marked USB port on the hub, and the USB port on the Raspberry Pi below

Electronics enclosure assembly from step 48

1x Raspberry Pi and USB hub assembly

Align the Raspberry Pi assembly with the printed mount as shown

4x M2.5x25 Cap Head Screw

Tighten all four M2.5x25 Cap Head Screws to secure the Raspberry Pi assembly to the printed mount

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the Raspberry Pi or the printed parts

Set the electronics enclosure assembly aside until later in the guide

1x Fan - 120x15 Axial 24V (SKU: HW3945EC)

1x Fan Grille - 120mm - Black (SKU: HW3937GC)

4x Self-tapping Screw - Plastic fan - 12mm (SKU: HW3892SC)

1x Lid panel from step 2

Make sure the panel is oriented as shown, with the large circular hole closest to the top right corner

1x Fan - 120x15 Axial 24V

Orient the fan so that the label on the fan faces away from the lid panel and the cable exits the right-hand side

Slide the fan under the panel, aligning it with the hole as shown

1x Fan Grille - 120mm - Black

Position the fan grille over the fan as shown

4x Self-tapping Screw - Plastic fan - 12mm

Tighten all four self-tapping screws to secure the fan grille and fan to the panel

The self-tapping screws will cut a thread into the plastic of the fan and may take some effort to fasten

Set the lid assembly aside for now, it will be needed after the wiring guide is complete

1x Rear V-Core 4.0 panel

Please note: The V-Core 4.0 panels are not included in the kit and must be sourced separately

The V-Core 4.0 is designed to use 4mm thick panels in either polycarbonate or acrylic

1x Foam Strip - 1mm x 8mm (SKU: HW2943GC)

4x vc4_grommet (SKU: PP000286)

17x M6x12 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW1836SC)

17x M6 Washer (SKU: HW2746NC)

17x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6 (SKU: HW1361NC)

1x Rear V-Core 4.0 panel

Orient the panel as shown, making sure the bottom offset hole is to the right

4x vc4_grommet

Install a printed grommet into each of the marked holes

Flip the panel over so that the bottom offset hole is now on the left

17x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

17x M6 Washer

Install an M6 washer onto each of the M6x12 Cap Head Screws, and then insert the screw into each of the marked holes

17x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6

Loosely thread a 3030 T-nut onto each of the M6x12 screws. Do not tighten them at this point

Set the assembled panel aside until step 66

V-Core 4.0 Assembly - Rear side

Cut the following lengths of the 8mm x 1mm foam strip depending on the V-Core 4.0 size:

V-Coro 4.0 300: 2x 560mm, 2x 694mm

V-Coro 4.0 400: 2x 660mm, 2x 794mm

V-Coro 4.0 500: 2x 760mm, 2x 894mm

Peel the protective backing from the back of the foam strip and apply the shorter lengths to the top and bottom extrusions as shown

Peel the protective backing from the back of the foam strip and apply the longer lengths to the side extrusions as shown

1x V-Core 4.0 rear panel assembly from step 64

Align the rear panel with the frame, making sure all T-nuts slot into the extrusion slots

Secure the panel to the frame by tightening all seventeen M6x12 screws

Do not overtighten the screws as you can damage the panel

4x M6x12 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW1836SC)

4x M6 Locking Hex Nut (SKU: HW1311NC)

Electronics enclosure assembly from step 50 (or step 56 for IDEX)

2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked holes within the electronics enclosure

Align the M6x12 screws with the holes in the rear panel and push them through

Continue to support the electronics enclosure until the locking hex nuts are installed in the next step

2x M6 Locking Hex Nut

Install an M6 Locking Hex Nut onto each of the M6x12 screws and tighten them to secure the electronics enclosure to the panel

The M6 Locking Hex Nuts can be held with a 10mm spanner, wrench or socket

Do not overtighten the screws as you can damage the panel

2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked holes within the electronics enclosure, and through the panel

2x M6 Locking Hex Nut

Install an M6 Locking Hex Nut onto each of the M6x12 screws and tighten them to secure the electronics enclosure to the panel

The M6 Locking Hex Nuts can be held with a 10mm spanner, wrench or socket

Do not overtighten the screws as you can damage the panel

2x vc4_electronics_mount_upper (SKU: PP000320)

2x vc4_electronics_mount_lower (SKU: PP000319)

8x M6x12 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW1836SC)

4x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6 (SKU: HW1361NC)

4x M6 Locking Hex Nut (SKU: HW1311NC)

1x vc4_electronics_mount_upper

1x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

1x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6

Loosely thread a 3030 T-nut onto the M6x12 screw. Do not tighten it at this point

1x M6 Locking Hex Nut

Insert the M6 Locking Hex Nut into the printed part as shown

Prepare two of these assemblies and set them aside until step 76

1x vc4_electronics_mount_lower

1x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

1x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6

Loosely thread a 3030 T-nut onto the M6x12 screw. Do not tighten it at this point

1x M6 Locking Hex Nut

Insert the M6 Locking Hex Nut into the printed part as shown

Prepare two of these assemblies and set them aside until step 78

Electronics enclosure assembly from step 50 (or step 56 for IDEX)

2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked holes within the electronics enclosure

2x Upper electronics enclosure mount assemblies from step 74

Fasten an upper mount assembly on to each M6x12 cap head screw. Do not fully tighten the screws yet, they will be tightened in an upcoming step

V-Core 4.0 Assembly - Rear side

Electronics enclosure assembly

Install the electronics enclosure by positioning the upper mounts onto the 3030 extrusion as shown

Make sure the T-nuts on the upper mounts fit inside the extrusion slot

The electronics enclosure should now support itself, even though the screws have not yet been tightened

Position the electronics enclosure so it is roughly centered with the marked 3030 extrusion. The exact position will be set in the next step

2x Lower electronics enclosure mount assemblies from step 75

Align each lower mount assembly so that the T-nut fits into the extrusion slot and the locking hex nut aligns with the hole in the electronics enclosure

Tighten the M6x12 Cap Head Screw to secure the mount to the extrusion

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts

2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw

Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the marked holes within the electronics enclosure

Thread the M6x12 Cap Head Screws into the locking nuts in the lower electronics enclosure mounts

Fully tighten both M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the electronics enclosure to the frame

Fully tighten both marked M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the upper mounts to the frame

Fully tighten both marked M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the lower mounts to the frame

Fully tighten all four marked M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the electronics enclosure to the upper and lower mounts

Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed parts