⬢IT IS IMPORTANT to connect the power cable correctly. Before you start the assembly have a look at the pins. The one on the left with "GND" sign must be connected to the BLACK WIRE.
⬢Take both Heatbed cables. Note the label on each cable. For the following steps, prepare the ends of the cables without the label.
⬢Place the black wire above the pin with "GND" sign. Use the end of the cable that is not labeled with QR code. The QR code must be at the other end.
⬢Place the M3w washer above the round cable connector.
⬢Press the M3x10 screw through all parts.
⬢Hold the screw and carefully turn the heatbed upside down.
⬢Attach the M3nN nut onto the M3x10 screw and tighten it slightly.
⬢Turn the heatbed back around. Using the universal wrench and the Allen key, tighten up the screw. We will adjust the cable position later on, therefore do not tighten the screw too firmly yet.
⬢Repeat this procedure for the second (Red / + / VCC) wire. Use the end of the cable that is not labeled with QR code. The QR code must be at the other end.
Before proceeding further, please check again that:
⬢BLACK wire must be connected to the "GND"
⬢RED wire must be connected to the "VCC"
⬢The cable cover, which will be applied later requires the connectors to be slightly inclined towards each other. Press them gently, but leave a gap between them.
Now, tighten both screws firmly using the Allen key and the wrench. Maintain the position of the connectors while tightening.
⬢Place the heatbed-cable-cover-bottom like in the picture. Push the heatbed thermistor cable through the heatbed-cable-cover-bottom.
⬢Insert the nylon filament into the hole in the heatbed-cable-cover-bottom. Don't let the nylon filament stick out too much on the other side. It should not protrude more than 2 millimeters.
When inserting the nylon filament, ensure that the filament does not damage the thermistor cables under the printed part.
⬢After inserting the nylon, bend the filament slightly in the same direction as shown.
⬢Orient the curve of the filament as shown in the third picture.
⬢The Y-carriage has two variations, depending on which MK3 printer model you have. Each variant has a different assembly procedure. According to the picture distinguish your variation and follow the appropriation instructions:
⬢NEW version: there are three pockets (recesses) for bearings in the Y-carriage. If you have this variation of the part, go to step Y-carriage: parts preparation (new).
⬢OLD version: there are three cutouts for bearings in the Y-carriage. If you have this variation of the part, go to step Y-carriage: parts preparation (old).
⬢Turn the tube and applicator counterclockwise until you feel a slight resistance. This means that the holes in the applicator are aligned with the ball rows.
⬢Gently press the tube to push the lubricant into the ball rows of the bearing.
⬢Look at the front of the bearing. When the applicator pushes the lubricant out (around the black gasket), stop pressing the tube. Hold the bearing with the other hand during the lubricating.
The grease must be spread evenly over all four ball rows inside the bearing. There must not be too much grease, or too little. Take a closer look at the last picture.
⬢Wipe off excess grease on the outside of the bearing with a paper towel.
⬢Use this procedure for all three bearings.
⬢The bearings may leave excess grease on the smooth rods after their installation. Wipe off any residue with a paper towel.
⬢The correct bearing orientation: When placing bearings onto the Y-carriage, make sure that they are oriented as shown in the picture. The tracks (rows of balls) have to be on the sides.
⬢Align the bearing so that it is centered on the bearing clip. Approximately the same piece of bearing should be visible on each side.
⬢Maintain the bearing position and slightly tighten both screws. Just barely to maintain its position and orientation. We will tighten the screws firmly later on.
⬢Using the 2.5mm Allen key and the universal wrench, slightly tighten the M3nN nuts. Do not tighten it completely, just secure the bearing orientation and position. We will completely tighten it later.
⬢Attach two bearing clips on the remaining two bearing pockets and push two bearings inside.
⬢From the opposite side, secure each screw with the M3nN nut. Do not tighten the nuts, 1-2 turns are enough for now.
⬢Orient both bearings so that the two rows of bearing balls have to be on the sides.
⬢Unlike the previous bearing, position the bearings as close to the center of the Y-carriage as possible. Beware, the bearings must not touch the edge of the pocket!
Correct bearing alignment is CRUCIAL. Proceed carefully and make sure that both bearings are as close to the center of the Y-carriage as possible and do not touch any pocket edge.
⬢Maintain the bearing's position and slightly tighten the screws. Just barely to maintain the position and orientation of the bearings. We will tighten the screws firmly later on.
⬢Using the 2.5mm Allen key and the universal wrench, slightly tighten the M3nN nuts. Do not tighten it completely, just secure the bearing orientation and position. We will completely tighten it later.
NOW, PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL! Gently insert the rod straight into the bearings, do not apply too much force and do not tilt the rod!
In case you manage to push out some balls from the bearings by accident, please count the balls. Without one or two balls, the bearing will continue to work. If there are more of them, please consider ordering new bearings.
⬢Carefully tighten the screws fully into the nuts on the underside. Make sure you tighten the screws EQUALLY and FIRMLY. Each screw must come all the way through the nut, or at least its tip must be aligned with the top surface of the nut.
After the final tightening, the movement of the smooth rods must be gentle. If the smooth rod moves stiffly, loosen the screws and repeat the procedure.
⬢Turn the tube and applicator counterclockwise until you feel a slight resistance. This means that the holes in the applicator are aligned with the ball rows.
⬢Gently press the tube to push the lubricant into the ball rows of the bearing.
⬢Look at the front of the bearing. When the applicator pushes the lubricant out (around the black gasket), stop pressing the tube. Hold the bearing with the other hand during the lubricating.
The greasemust be spread evenly over all four ball rows inside the bearing. There must not be too much grease, or too little. Take a closer look at the last picture.
⬢Wipe off excess grease on the outside of the bearing with a paper towel.
⬢Use this procedure for all three bearings.
The bearings may leave excess grease on the smooth rods after their installation. Wipe off any residue with a paper towel.
⬢The correct bearing orientation: When placing bearings onto the Y-carriage, make sure that they are oriented as shown in the picture. The tracks (rows of balls) have to be on the sides.
⬢Align the bearing so that it is centered on the bearing clip. Approximately the same piece of bearing should be visible on each side.
⬢Maintain the bearing position and slightly tighten both screws. Just barely to maintain its position and orientation. We will tighten the screws firmly later on.
Correct bearing alignment is CRUCIAL. Proceed carefully and make sure that both bearings are as close to the center of the Y-carriage as possible and do not touch any pocket edge.
⬢Unlike the previous single-bearing, position the bearings as close to the center of the Y-carriage as possible. Beware, the bearings must not touch the edge of the pocket!
Incorrect positioning: the bearings must not touch or overlap the edges of the pocket as shown in the bottom of the first picture.
⬢Maintain the bearing's position and slightly tighten the screws. Just barely to maintain the position and orientation of the bearings. We will tighten the screws firmly later on.
⬢After securing the clips double-check the correct position of the bearings so that they do not touch the edges of the pockets.
⬢Using a paper towel, wipe the transport oil from the surface of the smooth rods.
NOW, PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL! Gently insert the rod straight into the bearings, do not apply too much force and do not tilt the rod!
In case you manage to push out some balls from the bearings by accident, please count the balls. Without one or two balls, the bearing will continue to work. If there are more of them, please consider ordering new bearings.
⬢Tighten the screws on each bearing clip.
After the final tightening, the movement of the smooth rods must be gentle. If the smooth rod moves stiffly, loosen the screws and repeat the procedure.
⬢After tightening all the screws securing the bearing clips, make a final check of the correct position of the bearings:
Two-bearing side: the bearing must be positioned closer to the center of the Y-carriage. It must not touch or extend over the edge of the pocket.
⬢Single-bearing side: the bearing must be in the center of the pocket.
⬢Take the Y-carriage including smooth rods with rod holders and place them in YZ-frame. Make sure, that two bearings are on the left side (see the picture, there are two pairs of the screw holes on the left and one pair on the right).
⬢Secure each Y-rod-holders and fix them with M3x10 screws on the front plate (the one with the longer extrusions). Tighten both screws equally, but not completely. We will tighten them fully later on.
⬢Insert the M3x10 screw into the hole in each front holder and tighten them.
⬢Secure the second pair of the Y-rod-holder with two M3x10 screws. Tighten both screws equally, but not completely. We will tighten them fully later on.
⬢Insert the M3x10 screw into the hole in each rear holder and tighten it.
In case the M3nS nuts keep falling out, please flip the frame upside down. Tighten both printed parts and then return the frame to the original position.
⬢Insert the M3nN nut all the way into the Y-belt-holder.
Use the screw pulling technique. Attach the M3nN nut on the tip of the M3x40 screw (a few turns are enough). Do not tighten the screw, pull the nut all the way into the Y-belt-holder. Don't forget to remove the M3x40 screw from the part and keep it aside for later use.
⬢Insert the M3x10 screw into the Y-belt-tensioner and try if the screw reaches the threaded hole in the Y-carriage when tensioning the belt.
If the screw does not reach the hole, it is necessary to remove the Y-belt-holder (the one already installed) and reposition the belt by one tooth in both printed parts - one tooth in each printed part will be vacant.
⬢Attach the Y-belt-tensioner to the right (front) hole in the Y-carriage and secure it with the M3x10 screw. Do not overtighten the screw. We will adjust the exact position later on.
⬢Insert the M3x40 screw into the Y-belt-tensioner and tighten it until the screw reaches the nut in the second part.
⬢Move the Y-carriage all the way to the back. Using a finger on your left hand, push the belt down. A medium force should be needed to squish the belt until both the parts touch. Don't try to overstretch the belt as you might damage the printer.
⬢You can change the belt tension by adjusting the long M3x40 screw on the bottom of the Y-carriage.
⬢Tighten the screw to bring the parts closer together and increase the tension.
⬢Release the screw to move the parts apart to decrease the tension.
⬢After you set the correct belt tension, tighten up the M3x10 screw on the bottom to fix the Y-belt-tensioner in place.
This step is recommended, but optional. If you don't have a phone at your disposal, continue to the next step. You can do this check later on.
⬢To verify or fine-tune the X or Y-axis belt tension on your printer, visit prusa.io/belt-tuner and open up the webpage on your mobile device. Or using your phone, scan teh QR code in the picture.
⬢Watch the instructional video on prusa.io/belt-tuner-video and fine-tune your Y belt tension, if required.
The belt tuner app was tested on multiple phones and should work across all most common phone manufacturers. However, in some rare cases it might not work as expected. Please state your brand and model in the comments below the step.
The installation of the expansion joints needs to be done carefully. It is crucial for the correct functionality of the printer. Carefully read the instructions:
⬢Slide the expansion joint from the side on the M3x6r screw.
Make sure the expansion joints are correctly oriented. There is a recess with approximately the same shape as the expansion joint. The joint must fit into the recess. See the second picture.
Some of the Y-carriages don't have the recesses, depending on the version of the printer model. Position the expansion joints according to the picture.
⬢Maintain the position and tighten the M3x6r screw using the 2.0mm Allen key.
⬢Proceed the same for the rest of the expansion joints.
OLD Y-CARRIAGE: On the old Y-carriage without the recesses, maintain the correct position and orientation of the expansion joint using the universal wrench while tightening.
⬢Check your electronics connection with the first picture.
Before covering the electronics, check and compare your wiring.
⬢Compare your cable management with the third picture. Guide the cables along the inside of the box and maintain clearance above the electronics board for better cooling.
Make sure that all connectors are fully inserted and PSU cables properly tightened. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the printer!
Be very careful when handling and connecting the ESP module to avoid bending and damaging the pins.
⬢Grasp the ESP Wi-Fi module by the edges of the board and plug its pins in the eight-hole slot in the xBuddyBox. Make sure the part is correctly oriented.
⬢Attach the cover to the xBuddy Box. There are two threaded holes in the xBuddy box. Make sure there is no cable in the way for the screws and the cover.
⬢Secure the el-box-cover by tightening both M3x10 screws to the xBuddy box.
Don't use excessive force during the assembly, or you might damage the spool holder locking system.
⬢Place all three parts in front of you. Note both "arms" are identical. Make sure the C shaped part, which will snap on the printer's frame is facing towards you.
⬢Take the "arm" on the right side, insert it gently in the main part and start to rotate clockwise (away from you). It should take about half the turn to lock the part in place.
⬢Take the "arm" on the left side, insert it gently in the main part and start to rotate anticlockwise (towards you). It should take about half the turn to lock the part in place.
The assembly requires a very small force (torque). If you experience issues, check first the locking mechanism for obstacles.
⬢Let's move to the last chapter: 8. Preflight check
Was this guide helpful?
Comments
Still have questions?
If you have a question about something that isn't covered here, check out our additional resources. And if that doesn't do the trick, you can send an inquiry to [email protected] or through the button below.