Assembly step 8

These are the instructions for the SO1 and are here for historical reasons only.

If you are building an SO2, please see the instructions at http://docs.shapeoko.com/

Instructions


Note: if you have not yet tapped your Makerslide, read the section below. Otherwise, skip to the Full Gantry Assembly section below.

Tapping the Makerslide extrusion
Instructions for this are in Tapping in the MakerSlide section.

Belt Anchors
The PDF instructions do not document the belt anchoring. I've seen it done a few different ways, but I guess it's not critical that it's perfect. Use the insertion nuts and belt anchor parts to mount the belt to your X-axis. You'll have to cut the supplied belt from Inventables in half (if it came with one 940 mm belt) and save the rest for the Y-axis! There is some discussion on alternate Belt_Anchors methods.

Here is a video of my X-axis moving during a test of the belt and motor:

An image of the belt anchors and dodgy alignment!



There are also other ways of doing the belt clamps, as documented here. It is also important to note that the belt needs to be tight. If the belts are not tight, then there will be significant slop in the machine. Tighten the belts so that when turning the pulley one step, the machine tracks perfectly.

Full Gantry Assembly
This is the assembly of the previous three sub-assemblies. The image does not show the belt anchors in place. These are best added after the machine is otherwise completely assembled since they have sharp corners and are harder than the Makerslide.

Instructions:

 * Clean ends of extrusion of any debris.
 * Snug bolts on Gantry - Y Idle Mount Plate.
 * Slide X/Z Assembly onto Makerslide Extrusion
 * Snug Bolts on Gantry - Y Motor Mount Plate
 * Work your way from each side in a X pattern.
 * Align top of extrusion with top of plate.
 * Keep square

The importance of that last cannot be understated. One way to square up the assembly is to place it on the flattest surface available (a kitchen counter will work), loosen the bolts, press down on the Makerslide, set its relation to the surface w/ a square, then gradually tighten all the bolts, ensuring that everything stays square.

Note: Ensure eccentric wheels on SM-XZA1 are set to their widest position before attempting to slide onto Makerslide.

Belt Anchoring
In order to mount the belt, it may be necessary to cut the full size belt in half.

User Submitted Notes
(This is the section to add your own notes pertaining to this sub-assembly) If you run into a problem or find yourself asking a question, please post the solution here to help the next person who has the same problem/question)

This image here is missing the belt anchors.

If unfamiliar w/ Makerslide be sure to read the page on it.

The hole diameter for an M5 0.8 tap is 0.166". If your tap doesn't easily start you may want to drill the holes up to 0.166" (at least for the first 2-3mm of the hole).

The holes only need to be tapped 10-12mm deep for the M5x10mm screws, but may be tapped deeper if using longer bolts.

Recently shipped kits may have the belting already cut into 2 pieces.

You may want to wait to put the belts on until the very end, that way you can test your motors and wiring without the belts.