¶ Introduction
Please note: All measurements provided in this guide are based upon building a 300x300 V-Core 3.
If you are building a machine of a different size, the following adjustments can be made to the stated extrusion lengths:
- 200x200: Remove 100mm
- 400x400: Add 100mm
- 500x500: Add 200mm
It is strongly recommended to assemble the frame on a known flat surface (such as a solid table, work surface or similar). Assembling the frame on a carpeted floor, or other non-flat surface, can cause the finished frame to not be square. This can cause issues with print quality and performance.
The V-Core 3.1 frame is built upside down. This is done to aid in keeping all critical sections of the frame square.
¶ Step 1 - Building an Enclosure 2.0 frame
- A dedicated set of guides for building an enclosed V-Core 3.1 using the Enclosure 2.0 kit is available here.
- Please only follow this guide when building a non-enclosed V-Core 3.1 printer.
¶ Step 2 - Prepare the electronics subframe parts
- 2x 450mm 3030 Extrusion
- 2x 440mm 3030 Extrusion
- 1x 420mm 3030 Extrusion
- 10x 90 Degree Corner Assembly
¶ Step 3 - Assemble the electronics subframe - Part 1
- 450mm 3030 Extrusion
- 440mm 3030 Extrusion
- 420mm 3030 Extrusion
- 90 Degree Corner Assembly
- Install one corner assembly onto each end of both 440mm 3030 extrusions as shown. Tighten the M6x12 screw to secure them.
- Ensure the corner assemblies are flush and square with the ends of the extrusions after tightening the screws
- Assemble the 450mm and 440mm extrusions together as shown, making sure the extrusion joints are square
- Tighten the remaining M6x12 screws to secure the exterior of the subframe together
¶ Step 4 - Assemble the electronics subframe - Part 2
- 420mm 3030 Extrusion
- Position the extrusion as shown. The measurements shown should be equal and will be 205mm for a 300x300 frame
- 90 Degree Corner Assembly
- Install the corner assembly as shown, and secure both M6x12 screws
- Check that the 420mm extrusion is positioned correctly and is square
- Install the corner assembly as shown, and secure both M6x12 screws
- Check that the 420mm extrusion is positioned correctly and is square
¶ Step 5 - Checking the electronics subframe is square
- Measure both of the distances shown using a long ruler (preferred), or a tape measure. The measurements should be equal to each other, and should be as close as possible to the following:
- 200x200: 509.3mm
- 300x300: 650.7mm
- 400x400: 792.1mm
- 500x500: 933.5mm
- If the measurements are not equal, and are not close to those shown above, double check all corners are square and then check again
¶ Step 6 - Assemble the electronics subframe - Part 3
- 90 Degree Corner Assembly
- Install one corner assembly onto each position shown. Tighten the M6x12 screw to secure them.
- Ensure the corner assemblies are flush and square with the ends of the extrusions after tightening the screws
- Set this assembly aside until Step 15
¶ Step 7 - Prepare the frame corner parts
- 4x 510mm 3030 Extrusion
- 16x Corner Plate Assembly
¶ Step 8 - Assemble the frame corners (x4) - Part 1
- 510mm 3030 Extrusion
- Corner Plate Assembly
- Secure the corner plates to the extrusion by fastening the five M6x12 screws
- Check all of the corner plates to make sure they are square to the extrusion, and flush with the ends
¶ Step 9 - Assemble the frame corners (x4) - Part 2
- Assembly from the previous step
- Corner plate assembly
- Secure the corner plates to the extrusion by fastening the five M6x12 screws
- Check all of the corner plates to make sure they are square to the extrusion, and flush with the ends
¶ Step 10 - Prepare the main frame parts
- 4x 505mm 3030 Extrusion
- 4x 440mm 3030 Extrusion
- 2x Base Corner Plate Assembly A
- 2x Base Corner Plate Assembly B
- 2x 90 Degree Corner Assembly
¶ Step 11 - Assemble the front & back of the main frame
- Assemblies from Step 8
- 440mm 3030 Extrusion
- Install one 440mm 3030 extrusion onto the top and bottom of one corner assembly as shown
- Tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the 3030 extrusions to the corner assembly
- Install the opposing corner assembly onto the other ends of the 3030 extrusions as shown
- Tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to the 3030 extrusions
- Repeat the above steps for the second assembly
¶ Step 12 - Checking end assemblies for squareness
- It is highly recommended to check the end assemblies for squareness before proceeding
- End assembly
- Place an engineers square on the lower 3030 extrusion as shown
- Carefully slide the square towards the corner
- If the connection between extrusions is square, there should be no gap between the long edge of the square and the extrusion next to it
- If the connection is not square, loosen the M6x12 screws connecting the corner plate to this extrusion, adjust in the directions shown and then check for squareness again
- Repeat this process for all four corners on the assembly and then repeat everything for the second end assembly
¶ Step 13 - Assemble the V-Core 3.1 frame - Part 1
- End Assembly
- 505mm 3030 Extrusion
- Install one 505mm 3030 extrusion onto each side of the end assembly as shown
- Tighten both the marked M6x12 screws, and the corresponding ones on the other side, to secure the 3030 extrusions to the end assembly
- Install the opposing end assembly onto the other ends of the 3030 extrusions as shown
- Tighten both the marked M6x12 screws, and the corresponding ones on the other side, to secure the end assembly to the 3030 extrusions
¶ Step 14 - Checking the V-Core 3.1 frame for squareness
- It is highly recommended to check the frame assembly for squareness before proceeding
- Partial V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly
- Place an engineers square on the lower 3030 extrusion as shown
- Carefully slide the square towards the corner
- If the connection between extrusions is square, there should be no gap between the long edge of the square and the extrusion next to it
- If the connection is not square, loosen the M6x12 screws connecting the corner plate to this extrusion, adjust in the directions shown and then check for squareness again
- Repeat this process for all four corners on the partial frame assembly
¶ Step 15 - Prepare to install the electronics sub frame
- To proceed with the assembly, the four marked corner plate assemblies must be removed
- Corner Plate Assembly to remove
- Loosen the three marked M6x12 screws on each plate and place them aside
- You will require two of the corner plate assemblies for Step 17 and two for Step 19
¶ Step 16 - Install the electronics panel
- If you plan to use an electronics panel, it is highly recommended to assemble and install it now. Installing a single, large, panel after further assembly is not possible
- If you do not plan to use an electronics panel, or plan to use a split panel, you may skip to Step 17
- 22x M6x12mm Cap Head Screw
- 22x M6 Washer
- 22x 3030 Drop-in T-Nut - M6
- Electronics Panel Assembly
- 3x Cable Guide Printed Part ( Provided in the Electronics Extra Kit )
- Fasten all M6x12 screws to secure the electronics panel to the electronics subframe assembly
¶ Step 17 - Install the electronics subframe
- V-Core 3.1 Frame Assembly
- Electronics Subframe Assembly
- Pay attention to the orientation of the electronics subframe
- Slot the electronics subframe assembly into the V-Core 3.1 frame assembly as shown
- The gap shown between the V-Core 3.1 frame and the electronics subframe should measure 47mm minus the thickness of your electronics panel on all machine sizes
- For example: Using a 4mm thick electronics panel, the gap would measure 43mm (47mm minus 4mm)
- Once positioned correctly, tighten the marked M6x12 screws to secure the electronics subframe in place
¶ Step 18 - Assemble the V-Core 3.1 frame - Part 2
- 505mm 3030 Extrusion
- Place the 505mm 3030 extrusion into the frame as shown
- Tighten the marked M6x12 screw to secure the 505mm 3030 extrusion to the electronics subframe
- Re-install the two 90 degree corner assemblies as shown
- Tighten all of the M6x12 screws on the two 90 degree corner assemblies
¶ Step 19 - Assemble the V-Core 3.1 frame - Part 3
- V-Core 3.1 frame assembly
- 90 degree corner assembly
- Install the corner assembly into the corner of the two 3030 extrusions as shown
- Tighten both M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to both the main frame and the subframe
¶ Step 20 - Assemble the V-Core 3.1 frame - Part 4
- 505mm 3030 Extrusion
- Place the 505mm 3030 extrusion into the frame as shown
- Tighten the marked M6x12 screw to secure the 505mm 3030 extrusion to the electronics sub frame
- Re-install the two 90 degree corner assemblies as shown
- Tighten all of the M6x12 screws on the two 90 degree corner assemblies
¶ Step 21 - Assemble the V-Core 3.1 frame - Part 5
- V-Core 3.1 frame assembly
- 90 degree corner assembly
- Install the corner assembly into the corner of the two 3030 extrusions as shown
- Tighten both M6x12 screws to secure the corner assembly to both the main frame and the subframe
¶ Step 22 - Install the V-Core 3.1 frame feet
- Base corner plate assembly A
- Base corner plate assembly B
- Install each corner plate assembly onto the marked corners
- Tighten the three marked M6x12 screws on each corner plate
- Tighten the marked M5x18 screw on each corner plate
- Turn the V-Core 3.1 frame assembly over, and rest it on its feet
¶ Step 23 - Next guide
- Continue with the next guide: 02. Z-Axis Assemblies