I designed this to replace the z-axis screws of the Ender 3 V3 SE. My z-axis kept skipping layers, and I didn't want to solve it while still using screws so its now a belted Z machine. This was inspired by the KevinAkaSam's belted Z mod for the Ender 3. Some parts are needed from that mod such as the 80 tooth ring gear(Voron) as well as the tensioner block. You will NEED to install the Mount Anything system created by NeeditMakeit, this whole thing is not possible without this mod. I've also incorporated Alexey H's v3 SE Gantry support mod. Links to all of these mods will be included in the bottom.
**YOU WILL NEED TO INSTALL THE ATTACH ANYTHING SYSTEM BY NeeditMakeit**
PRINTING DISCLOSURE:
You will need to have a printer with a bed size of 256x256 minimum to be able to print the top gantry replacement in one piece. I MADE AN UNTESTED MODEL WITH THE TOP GANTRY REPLACEMENT IN TWO PIECES THAT CAN BE PRINTED ON THE SE/220X220 BED(This will require gluing the gantry pieces together and I've included a 4mm hole/printable dowel for the joining of the two parts) (If someone want to test this and let me know if this version works or what needs to be changed about it that would be helpful)
Parts Needed:
Purchased:
M3 Socket Head Cap Screws (6-20mm lengths)
M3 Rounded Head Screws (10mm length)
NOTE: Socket head cap screws can be replaced by rounded head screws, However where the screws need to have low clearance such as mounting the motor to the holding block the screws NEED to be rounded head screws.
M3 Heat Insert Nuts
10mm length x 5mm (OD)
4mm length x 5mm (OD)
4mm length x 4mm (OD) (you only need two of these and they are for the holes that I have circled in the above picture of the motor holding block
Custom Motor Extension Cable you'll need to make - 6pin female to 6pin male JST 2.0mm → Needs to be roughly 30 inches in length
The below parts are similar to those needed for the original KevinAkaSam's belted z mod:
GT2 Pulley
3 → 20 teeth, 8mm bore (6mm belt width)
1 → 16 teeth, 5mm bore (6mm belt width)
2 → Idler Pulleys, Toothless, 3mm bore (6mm belt width)
GT2 Timing Belt
6mm width → Enough to go up and down to replace z axis rods
1 → 200mm Closed Loop GT2 Timing Belt (I believe this has some wiggle room for other similar sized belts but none other have been tested)
2 → 3mm x 30mm metal dowel pins
5 → 608 2RS bearings
Printed:
**YOU WILL NEED TO INSTALL THE ATTACH ANYTHING SYSTEM BY NeeditMakeit**
1 → 80 tooth ring gear (Voron) → From KevinAkaSams mod
2 → Tensioner Blocks → From KevinAkaSams mod
For Gantry Support → Bottom Blocks of Alexey H's mod
All blocks included in this post (excluding left/right gantry support adapters if you do not plan on using the gantry support mod)
PLEASE READ THE PRINTING DISCLOSURE ABOVE
Print Notes:
I printed this using PETG-CF (PETG should work, would stay away from PLA especially for the top gantry replacement)
This can all be printed on a 256x256mm bed, the top gantry will need to be angled across the bed
NO SUPPORTS - Make sure to print the top gantry support with the “cutouts” on the top, holes will need to be punched through a sacrificial layer. Left and right Gantry need to be printed with the “chunkier” side on the top(This side is chunky to prevent supports from needing to be used)
I used 4 walls and 35% Gyroid infill for everything.
All of this was printed using 1kg of PETG CF, I did have about 50-100g worth of wasted filament from bad prints but this did use almost the whole spool(if no failed prints).
Install Notes:
Left and Right Gantry nub → These are pushed into slots in the back of the original roller mounts(I did NOT use glue, these are hopefully designed with enough interference but I've only printed it on my machine). The right nub goes in one way, the left one can go in multiple but should be placed in such a way that the hole is at the bottom right corner when looking at the printer from the back. The Gantry attachments should provide enough alignment to figure out which slot/hole needs to be used. Install the 5mm heat insert nuts after they are pressed into the roller mounts.
Build should be similar to that of the KevinAkaSams mod, however heat insert nuts are used aplenty in this mod.
16 teeth pulley should be tightened down to the shaft prior to install (Leave 1-2mm of the shaft sticking out from the top of the pulley.
When I was installing the z rod across the top, there was some slight variance in hole alignment which provided some resistance but I think this worked in my favor allowing the z-axis to stay put(This is a guess, not entirely sure but my z-axis doesn't drop when the printer is turned off, I just don't know if this was a reason for it or if the motor is stopping it, did not test since it worked). I believe this discrepancy in hole alignment was due to warping when printing.
Z-axis Motor Cable routing → I used hot glue to guide the wire across the top of the gantry and in-between the gantry and the z-axis belt
When mounting the bottom left and bottom right brackets you will most likely need to adjust the holes. I did not attach the mount anything system precisely so my holes are probably off a little.
Spool holder is optional and can be mounted on either side of the motor
When installing motor into housing first tighten the tensioning screw on the front of the machine then tighten the two screws on the side to hold it in place
3mm x 30mm shaft holes may need to be drilled out slightly, these NEED to be a tight fit, test before drilling
*Some of the part fit may be tight depending on material and printer accuracy
Heat Insert nut callouts:
Top Gantry Replacement (All should be 10mm long x 5mm on Top/front/back, excluding the circled ones below on each side (6 total) need to be 5mm long x 5mm).
Left/right gantry nub (5mm long x 5mm) (insert after they are pushed into brackets)
Left Gantry Attachment (5mm long x 5mm) (Circled below)
Right Gantry Attachment (5mm long x 5mm) (Circled below)
Motor Holder (5mm long x 5mm (Circled red)) (4mm long x 4mm (Circled blue))
Bottom Left/Right Pulley Holder (5mm long x 5mm) (Circled)
Note: I will most likely update this so that the motor cable has a built in place to go as well as other small things I notice as time goes on and I get more hours out of this mod. If you have any feedback please let me know. I may also update the install notes so they're actually build instructions but that will take some time. I've only tested this for roughly 20 hours of printing, so far no skipped layers and no noise.
Links to other mods:
NeeditMakeit Attach Anything System(Links in description):
r3dsal
