Replacing the X-Axis Motor

Tools Needed: 

• 8mm wrench
• 4mm Allen key
• 3mm Allen key

Important Safety Information: Disconnect your Gigabot from power and make sure it is turned off during the removal and installation processes!

Important Product Information: Inspect the top of your existing motor to determine if the motor was made by MoTech or by LDO. Inspect your replacement motor to determine if it was made by MoTech or LDO.

If your motor was made by MoTech and you are replacing it with a MoTech motor, then you can continue on to the instructions below. If your motor was made by LDO and you are replacing it with an LDO motor, then you can continue on to the instructions below. 

If your motor was made by MoTech but you are replacing it with an LDO motor, then you will need to follow these instructions to rewire the motor cable connector:  Link to article on wiring a Gigabot for LDO motors

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

After June 8th, 2022, customers who order replacement motors and have a Gigabot made before June 8th, 2022 will receive a new motor cable as well. This motor cable is necessary to use because it has a JST SMR-04V-B housing on it to mate with the compatible JST connector on our new motors. It has different colored wires, so you will need to wire it into the Azteeg control board with the order, from left to right, Blue Stripe -- Blue -- Yellow -- Yellow Stripe:

Video Instructions: Link to X-Axis Motor Removal video

These instructions only show the removal of the motor. If you are replacing the motor, you will need to follow these instructions in reverse to install the motor. Make sure to rewire the motor cable if needed (Link to article on wiring a Gigabot for LDO motors) and then tension the X belt (this article)

 

Written Instructions: 

1. Referring to the photo below, loosen the X-axis belt after removing the trolley cover

2. Remove the motor and XY upright from the bridge rail by unscrewing the bolts circled in yellow below with a 3mm hex-head wrench. 

3. Unplug the X motor cable and the X limit switch cables and lift the motor mount. From this point you will be able to remove the belt from the pulley and completely free the X motor assembly.

4. Fix or replace the X-motor assembly. Replacements can be bought on the re:3D store*.

5. Feed the belt into the motor assembly making sure to keep it untwisted when it will be in the proper orientation. 

6. Rewire the motor cable if needed (Link to article on wiring a Gigabot for LDO motors)

7. Plug in the X limit switch wires and X and X motor. The limit switch works as an open or closed circuit so the placement of the wires on the prongs doesn't matter so long as they are securely connected. The motor cable only connects properly in one orientation as dictated by the connector's shape.

8. Reattach the XY upright to the bridge rail with the 3mm Allen key making sure to not pinch any of the wires. If you mixed up the screws, the XY upright uses the shorter screws.

9. Reattach the X motor to the bridge rail with the 3mm Allen key. This will likely involve pushing the X motor towards the outside edge of the printer while trying to get the screw to line up. If you are struggling to get the motor to line up, try loosening the belt more (see step 1). Make sure these screws are very snug since having them a little loos can cause lots of other issues. 

10. Turn the Gigabot on, then move the trolley back and forth along the X-axis to ensure that the motor moves smoothly. If you do this too much with the printer powered off the printer may start to stiffen up with the trapped electricity generated by moving the motors. 

11. Tension the X belt according this article. 

12. Start a print. It may be a good idea to run a print similar to the print that caused the X motor replacement to check that it is fully fixed. 

*Older X motors are shorter Nema 17 motors while newer X motors are taller Nema 17 motors. Switching to a taller motor requires the replacement of the XY upright. Please contact support for help with replacement parts if you need to replace a shorter X motor.

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