Belt and Wheel Tension

Overview

Since the belts and wheels control the movements of your Gigabot's bed and hot ends, ensuring they are properly tensioned is essential for good print quality and machine longevity. If the belts and wheels are too loose, the accuracy and surface finish of your part will suffer. Belts and wheels too tight will cause accelerated wear and reduce the life of your Gigabot.

If you received a fully assembled Gigabot, you will not need to complete these calibration steps initially. You may need to perform this calibration at a later time, but for new fully-assembled Gigabots, proceed to "Leveling the Bed." For Gigabot kits, follow the steps below to properly adjust your belt and wheel tension.

Tools Needed: 

• NK-20 Mechanical Analog Push Pull Gauge Force Gauge 20N 
• Belt tension clip
• Supplied Allen wrench set 
  • 2.5mm and 4mm
• Supplied 8mm combination wrench and Allen key
• String or yarn (approximately 6" long) 

Belt Tension

Belt Tensioning Video Instructions (GB3/GB3+)

X-Axis

Y-Axis (left and right)

Belt Tension Instructions: 

1. Using NK-20 Mechanical Analog Push Pull Gauge Force Gauge 20N: 
   1. Place the bridge in the home position (to the back of the machine) to check the Y-axis belts.
   2. Place the trolley in the home position (to the far left of the bridge) to check the X-axis belts.
   3. Using the force gauge, press down on the top belt until it touches the bottom belt. Record the measurement.
   4. Adjust the belt tension until the readings below are achieved:
      1. Gigabot Regular: X = 8.5 newtons, Y = 8.0 newtons
      2. Gigabot XL and XLT: X = 8.5 newtons, Y = 7.5 newtons

Z-axis belts:

Please follow the instructions in the following video: Link

Wheel Tension:

Gigabot 3/3+:

X axis wheels: Link to video

Z axis wheels: Link to video

Gigabot 2:

X and Y-axis Wheels:

1. Using the supplied 8mm combination wrench and Allen key:
   1. Tighten the M5 nut, fixing the wheel.
   2. Loosen the M5 nut 1/4 turn.
   3. Adjust wheel tension by rotating the eccentric wheel spacer in a clockwise direction (when facing the head of the M5 bolt).
   4. The wheel should be just touching the aluminum bearing surface.
   5. Tighten the M5 nut, fixing the wheel.
   6. Ensure there is no gap between the wheel and the bearing surface.
   7. Use a force gauge to ensure the trolley requires no more than 7 newtons to move.
   8. Use a force gauge to ensure the Bridge requires no more than 17 newtons to move.

Z-axis Wheels:

1. The two wheels on the back of the bed side plates should be touching the Z-axis uprights bearing surface.
2. Use one hand to hold them against the bearing surface while adjusting the eccentric spacers on the front two wheels.
3. Repeat for both the right and left sides.

For initial calibration, please proceed to the next calibration step: Leveling the Bed.

Questions or concerns? Reach out to our support team at support@re:3D.org or open a support ticket.