6. Frame

General idea

The general idea is to assemble a loosely connected frame first and allow it to shake like a skeleton as shown in the 1st video. Place the whole frame on a solid and flat surface such as a large tile or a granite table, gradually fasten bolts in each corner and you'll get a sturdy frame as shown in the 2nd video.


Wrong: fasten individual nuts to 100% one after another
Fasten nut A to 100% --> nut B to 100% --> nut C to 100%


Correct: fasten nuts gradually in stages
Fasten ALL nuts to 50% --> ALL nuts to 75% --> ALL nuts to 100%.

Frame components

  • Top frame: A, B, C, D

  • Rear frame: E, F

  • Bottom frame: G, H, I, J

  • Pillars: K, L, M, N

  • Two Y Bridges


Actions

Lay down and arrange all frame components so in later steps you can fetch them easily.

The frame

  • Round-head bolts M5 x 10

  • Flanged nuts M5

  • Bolts M4 x 12 (x4)

  • Nuts M4 (x4)

  • Frame components

  • (No Y bridges in this step yet)

  • (No NEMA17 stepper mounts in this step yet)


  • Loctite® Threadlocker Blue 242® (optional)


Actions

Follow the sequence as shown in the pictures. The general idea is to assemble a loosely connected frame first, place it on a solid and flat surface such as a large tile or a granite table, gradually fasten bolts in each corner to make the frame sturdy.

There are 2 notches on B, 1 notch on C & D, no notches on A.

Connect component E to M and E to N with M4 x 12 bolts.

Components G & H are stacked above I & J.

When fastening the frame, hold the bolts steady and turn the nuts as the nuts won't be stripped that easily.

You might find it easier to access the nuts at the bottom part if the whole frame is flipped up-side-down.


Exams

Make sure the frame is placed on a flat surface when you fasten the nuts.

Y bridges

  • Y bridges (x2)

  • Round-head bolts M5x30 (x2)

  • Round-head bolts M5x10 (x2)

  • Flanged nuts M5 (x4)

  • Printed M5 nut holder


Actions


Note the Y tubes are directional. Slots for linear rails are closer to the inner side of the frame.

Use the nut holder tool to place the flanged nut INSIDE Y tube only at the front-most hole, as shown in (1). For the 5mm holes in (2) and the front two holes for Z top pulley housing, just place one flanged nut OUTSIDE Y tube.


P.S. Newer Y bridges (after Feb 2022) are made by CNC machined aluminum tubes with cleaner silver anodized finish, as shown in the last picture. The old version shown in the 2nd picture was made from laser cut steel tubes. Most slags resulted by laser cut were brushed off before delivery but some residuals were left inside the Y bridges. You might want to scrape them off with a flat head driver.

Exams

Holes for the linear rail should be closer to the inner side of the frame.

Carbon fiber parts

  • All carbon fiber parts

  • Liquid/paste type super glue


Actions

If you chose the carbon fiber gantry, your XY joiners, X back tube , extruder carriage, extruder plates and XY belt handlers are made in carbon fiber. To extend the component life and prevent fibers from spreading and make you itchy, it's best to seal the cut edges with super glue. No need to seal the bolt holes.

Be sure to work in a ventilated place!