Y Axis
Make sure the rollers fit tight on the Y-axis, so the table can't wobble. The holes in the acrylic table support are large enough to provide a little adjustment room. I made things work by slightly loosening the rollers, pinching them in with my fingers, and tightening the screw with a hex key oriented so the tightening force would push the screw towards the center of the extrusion.
X Axis
Mount the X-axis screw nut supports as far down on the Z-axis carriage as possible (the screws will be as high in the adjustment slots as possible.
Mount the X-axis extrusion as high as possible on the X-axis screw nut support.
If you don't do both of these things, you may find that the X-axis roller nuts will interfere with the Z-axis screw supports. I put it together wrong, and had to readjust the positions to make my axis work.
Make sure the X-axis motor is mounted with the electrical connector facing down.
Z Axis Limit Switch
Mount the Z-axis limit switch on the outside of the Z-axis extrusion. If you don't, the Z-axis won't be able to get down to the surface of the print bed.
Wiring
Use twist ties or cable ties to temporarily secure your wiring before testing the printer. I did all my wires up in the spiral loom that was provided. And then I found some wiring problems. So I had to deal with the loom at this point. Wish I had waited to put the wiring in the loom.
Tools
Some T-handle or other long-handle metric hex keys make assembly much nicer than working with just the ones provided in the kit. And ball-end keys help work around some of the obstacles.
Small (6 mm and smaller) combination wrenches would help with assembly. I ended up using a 4-inch adjustable wrench for lots of the assembly, but it's kind big and gets in the way.
All Build advice on the TRONXY X3/A 3D printer is welcome but the fact is, the simplicity of components that are so poorly designed, should've pre-empted the need for this advice to exist. At Entry Level Price, this is NOT a machine a beginner wants to struggle with. Newbies are better advised to get a dual rail h/bed Reprap i2/i3 which are at least completely stable when First Attempt assembled. The point of DIY Assembly is to learn how the 3D printer works, not waste half your week trying to circumnavigate insanely unecessary design flaws no self-respecting manufacturer should have allowed to be their Quality Standard. The TRONXY X3A is a stylish printer and the use of satin black 2020 extrusion was my reason for buying it, but, the need to either have another working machine (why would you if you're buying this?) or pay someone else £20-50 to print Problem Fixing parts for you is absurd. Far better if the manufacturer paid attention to these Solutions, raised the price by $3-5 and included the small 3D printed bed support stabilisation parts with the kit.
ReplyDeleteI find that this printer is a very ingenious design. Maybe all the problems everyone else faces are fixed in my version, but I have assemled it stock and it works so well. No slop, very smooth, nothing squeaking, belts tracking true, no rubbing, z screw rods turning freely. It is so well designed we get a quality printer for a fraction of the price if its pre-assebled. I checked wire sizes against loads and there are no undersized wires. The power supply has ample power to supply the loads required. There are no necessary upgrades required to make it work. There is no flex in the acrylic belt tensioners, you do, however need to pay attention to alignment during assembly. Keep in mind it is DIY, if you are not handy, cant build a barbecue, then don'y buy it. None of the printed "upgrades" are required, such as heated bed screw knobs, belt tensioners, y axis stiffeners. Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade your heart out, but don't think this is a piece of junk requiring improvements. give this printer the credit it deserves. Its a great 3d printer as is.
ReplyDeleteI find that this printer is a very ingenious design. Maybe all the problems everyone else faces are fixed in my version, but I have assemled it stock and it works so well. No slop, very smooth, nothing squeaking, belts tracking true, no rubbing, z screw rods turning freely. It is so well designed we get a quality printer for a fraction of the price if its pre-assebled. I checked wire sizes against loads and there are no undersized wires. The power supply has ample power to supply the loads required. There are no necessary upgrades required to make it work. There is no flex in the acrylic belt tensioners, you do, however need to pay attention to alignment during assembly. Keep in mind it is DIY, if you are not handy, cant build a barbecue, then don'y buy it. None of the printed "upgrades" are required, such as heated bed screw knobs, belt tensioners, y axis stiffeners. Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade your heart out, but don't think this is a piece of junk requiring improvements. give this printer the credit it deserves. Its a great 3d printer as is.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDelete