Folgertech Prusa i3 2020 Y-Axis Upgrade (Openbuilds V-Slot Rail System)

This is a Y-Axis upgrade to the Folgertech Prusa i3 2020 Variant, however it should work with any 2020 rail printer, and could be adapted to an all-thread framed printer with a few additional brackets. It replaces the cheap linear bearings and 8mm rods with an Openbuilds V-Slot Gantry and rail system.

Noise reduction is huge with this upgrade, accuracy is increased and overall stiffness of the Y-Axis is also increased. This system is up and running on my printer along with a few others (although there are a few variation in the assembly).

This version of the upgrade can use a full length rial (500mm) which should allow an increased Y movement of 100mm for a total build length of 300mm. This can also be cut down to a more standard length (~420mm) for a conventional 200mm Y movement.

At this point I am not writing assembly instructions as it is pretty straight forward, I have provided a link to a Imgur Album showing detailed photos of the build. This is a work in progress so there are variations of the build (with-in the album) so please keep this in mind when looking through the photos.

http://imgur.com/a/GQs2U

Edit: I have now provide an additional endstop mount V-4, it has 2.5mm holes and will require they be tapped to M3,

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1214608

I have provided a BOM and a Hole Layout to use the original FT ALM Bed Support.

There is a standard and long version of the belt tensioner.

You can checkout before and after videos here:

Before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsJfkrgD0tM Note: the noise you hear in this video is from the X-Axis (Upgrade in the works).

After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4HJPyrFLzk

Bench Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWApRvskVB0

Edit: QuadBert had designed a very nice bed support to go between the FT Alm plate and the OB gantry plate. I looks great and adds just enough stiffness and height to make a better bed setup.

Check out his bed support here, and don't forget to fool and check his other designs as well:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1266958

Edit:

When mounting the idler pulley assembly I used a standard M5 x 8mm SHCS, I did tap the holes prior to installing the screws though, OB recommends these self-tapping screws:

http://openbuildspartstore.com/self-tapping-screw/

However, I bet you could find something suitable at the big box stores or your local hardware store!?!?

Edit: 12-11-2017

I've been asked about the QTY (4) 6mm spacers and how they work with my current setup so I thought I'd elaborate on that a bit. I use the spacer in-lieu-of a the 3D Printed mounts like the ones in the previous photos. What I did was simply remove the Printed Mounts and replace them with the spacer and the original aluminum bed plate. There is a PDF of the holes layout required to use the Alm plate only without the Printed mounts. QuadBert has a set of mounts on thingi (see link below) whish work along with the aluminum plate, they should work great and would eliminate the need of the 6mm spacers. Hope this clear up and confusion surrounding the need of the 6mm spacer ;-)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1266958