¶ Step 1 - Tools for this section of the guide
- The following tools are required for this section of the guide:
- Allen key / hex wrenches in the following sizes: 2mm, 4mm & 5mm
- Avoid using ball end hex wrenches where possible as they are more prone to damaging the heads of smaller screws
- The following tools are recommended for this guide:
- A tape measure
- Masking tape / painters tape / scotch tape / sticky tape
¶ Step 2 - Prepare the lower CoreXY assembly parts
- 1x Lower left stepper motor plate assembly (Set aside during frame assembly)
- 1x Lower right stepper motor plate assembly (Set aside during frame assembly)
- 2x NEMA 17 Stepper Motor - HT - 48mm (SKU: HW3448EC)
- 1x vc4_motor_spacer_left Printed Part (SKU: PP000268)
- 1x vc4_motor_spacer_right Printed Part (SKU: PP000269)
- 2x Timing Pulley - 2GT - 20 Tooth - For 9mm Belt (SKU: HW1654WC)
- 6x M3x6 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3414SC)
- 4x M5x45 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW2074SC)
¶ Step 3 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 1
- Lower left stepper motor plate assembly
- Orient the assembly as shown
- 2x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6
- Remove both of the marked T-nuts from the M6x12 Cap Head Screws
- 2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw
- Remove both of the marked M6x12 Cap Head Screws
- Set the two M6 T-nuts and the two M6x12 Cap Head Screws aside until step 5
¶ Step 4 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 2
- Prepared lower left stepper motor plate assembly from the previous step
- 1x NEMA 17 Stepper Motor - HT - 48mm
- Orient the stepper motor so that the wiring faces towards the remaining two M6x12 Cap Head Screws as shown
- Insert the stepper motor shaft through the largest hole in the stepper motor plate assembly as shown
- The stepper motor should sit flush with the plate
- 3x M3x6 Countersink Screw
- Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the three marked holes on the stepper motor plate assembly and fully tighten them
¶ Step 5 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 3
- vc4_motor_spacer_left Printed Part
- Align the printed part with the stepper motor assembly as shown. Make sure that the holes line up correctly with the holes in the plate
- 2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw from step 3
- Insert each M6x12 Cap Head Screw through the printed part and the stepper motor plate in the two positions shown
- 2x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6 from step 3
- Loosely thread a T-Nut onto each of the two M6x12 Cap Head Screws. Do not tighten them at this point
¶ Step 6 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 4
- 1x Timing Pulley - 2GT - 20 Tooth - For 9mm Belt
- Install the timing pulley on to the stepper motor shaft as shown
- If the timing pulley does not fit over the stepper motor shaft, make sure to slightly loosen both of set screws within the timing pulley. Do not remove them
- Make sure that one of the set screws within the timing pulley faces the flat on the shaft of the stepper motor
- Flat on the stepper motor shaft
- Position the timing pulley so that the distance from the stepper motor plate to the inner-bottom face of the timing pulley is 15mm
- Finger-tighten both set screws within the timing pulley. There is no need to fully tighten them at this point as the position will be finalised later in the guide
¶ Step 7 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 5
- 2x M5x45 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M5x45 Cap Head Screw into each of the two marked holes in the vc4_motor_spacer_left printed part
- It may take a little force to press the M5x45 Cap Head Screws fully into the printed part
- Masking tape / painters tape / scotch tape / sticky tape
- The printed part is designed to help hold the M5x45 Cap Head Screws in place during assembly
- Due to variances in printing tolerances, it is possible that the printed part does not hold the screws. In this case, place some tape over the screw heads as shown to hold them in place
- Place this assembly aside until step 21
¶ Step 8 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 1
- Lower right stepper motor plate assembly
- Orient the assembly as shown
- 2x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6
- Remove both of the marked T-nuts from the M6x12 Cap Head Screws
- 2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw
- Remove both of the marked M6x12 Cap Head Screws
- Set the two M6 T-nuts and the two M6x12 Cap Head Screws aside until step 10
¶ Step 9 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 2
- Prepared lower right stepper motor plate assembly from the previous step
- 1x NEMA 17 Stepper Motor - HT - 48mm
- Orient the stepper motor so that the wiring faces towards the remaining two M6x12 Cap Head Screws as shown
- Insert the stepper motor shaft through the largest hole in the stepper motor plate assembly as shown
- The stepper motor should sit flush with the plate
- 3x M3x6 Countersink Screw
- Insert an M3x6 Countersink Screw into each of the three marked holes on the stepper motor plate assembly and fully tighten them
¶ Step 10 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 3
- vc4_motor_spacer_right Printed Part
- Align the printed part with the stepper motor assembly as shown. Make sure that the holes line up correctly with the holes in the plate
- 2x M6x12 Cap Head Screw from step 8
- Insert each M6x12 Cap Head Screw through the printed part and the stepper motor plate in the two positions shown
- 2x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6 from step 8
- Loosely thread a T-Nut onto each of the two M6x12 Cap Head Screws. Do not tighten them at this point
¶ Step 11 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 4
- 1x Timing Pulley - 2GT - 20 Tooth - For 9mm Belt
- Install the timing pulley on to the stepper motor shaft as shown
- If the timing pulley does not fit over the stepper motor shaft, make sure to slightly loosen both of set screws within the timing pulley. Do not remove them
- Make sure that one of the set screws within the timing pulley faces the flat on the shaft of the stepper motor
- Flat on the stepper motor shaft
- Position the timing pulley so that the distance from the stepper motor plate to the inner-top face of the timing pulley is 12mm
- Finger-tighten both set screws within the timing pulley. There is no need to fully tighten them at this point as the position will be finalised later in the guide
¶ Step 12 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor lower assembly - Part 5
- 2x M5x45 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M5x45 Cap Head Screw into each of the two marked holes in the vc4_motor_spacer_left printed part
- It may take a little force to press the M5x45 Cap Head Screws fully into the printed part
- Masking tape / painters tape / scotch tape / sticky tape
- The printed part is designed to help hold the M5x45 Cap Head Screws in place during assembly
- Due to variances in printing tolerances, it is possible that the printed part does not hold the screws. In this case, place some tape over the screw heads as shown to hold them in place
- Place this assembly aside until step 27
¶ Step 13 - Prepare the upper CoreXY assembly parts
- 1x vc4_trim_corexy_left Printed Part (SKU: PP000271)
- 1x vc4_trim_corexy_right Printed Part (SKU: PP000272)
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Motor Plate - Upper Left v1.1 (SKU: HW3769PC)
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Motor Plate - Upper Right v1.1 (SKU: HW3770PC)
- 8x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6 (SKU: HW1361NC)
- 8x M6x12 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW1836SC)
- 2x Ball Bearing - F695-2RS (SKU: HW2947WC)
- 4x Hex Locking Nut - M5 (SKU: HW1039NC)
¶ Step 14 - Prepare the left CoreXY motor trim
- vc4_trim_corexy_left Printed Part
- 2x Hex Locking Nut - M5
- Insert an M5 Hex Locking Nut in to each of the two hexagonal holes in the underside of the printed part
- Make sure that both M5 Hex Locking Nuts are fully inserted as shown
- Set the left CoreXY motor trim aside until step 16
¶ Step 15 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor upper assembly - Part 1
- Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Motor Plate - Upper Left v1.1
- Orient the motor plate as shown. Make sure that the marked Countersunk screw hole faces upwards
- 1x Ball Bearing - F695-2RS
- Insert the bearing into the largest hole on the motor plate as shown
¶ Step 16 - Assemble the left CoreXY motor upper assembly - Part 2
- Left CoreXY motor trim from step 14
- Place the left CoreXY motor trim on top of the upper assembly as shown
- 4x M6x12 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the four marked holes in the CoreXY motor trim
- 4x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6
- Loosely thread a T-Nut onto each of the M6x12 Cap Head Screws. Do not tighten them at this point
- Set the left CoreXY motor upper assembly aside until step 25
¶ Step 17 - Prepare the right CoreXY motor trim
- vc4_trim_corexy_right Printed Part
- 2x Hex Locking Nut - M5
- Insert an M5 Hex Locking Nut in to each of the two hexagonal holes in the underside of the printed part
- Make sure that both M5 Hex Locking Nuts are fully inserted as shown
- Set the left CoreXY motor trim aside until step 19
¶ Step 18 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor upper assembly - Part 1
- Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Motor Plate - Upper Right v1.1
- Orient the motor plate as shown. Make sure that the marked Countersunk screw hole faces upwards
- 1x Ball Bearing - F695-2RS
- Insert the bearing into the largest hole on the motor plate as shown
¶ Step 19 - Assemble the right CoreXY motor upper assembly - Part 2
- Right CoreXY motor trim from step 17
- Place the right CoreXY motor trim on top of the upper assembly as shown
- 4x M6x12 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M6x12 Cap Head Screw into each of the four marked holes in the CoreXY motor trim
- 4x T-Nut Drop-in for 30 series - M6
- Loosely thread a T-Nut onto each of the M6x12 Cap Head Screws. Do not tighten them at this point
- Set the right CoreXY motor upper assembly aside until step 31
¶ Step 20 - Prepare the idler pulleys and spacers
- 6x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley (SKU: HW3870WC)
- 5x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm (SKU: HW1630NC)
- 3x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x4mm (SKU: HW3760NC)
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x14mm (SKU: HW3761NC)
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x17mm (SKU: HW3762NC)
- 2x Aluminium Spacer - 3x6x30mm (SKU: HW3501NC)
- 2x M3x40 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3627SC)
¶ Step 21 - Install the left CoreXY motor idlers - Part 1
- Left CoreXY motor lower assembly from step 7
- Install the following components in order on to the rear M5x45 Cap Head Screw:
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x4mm
¶ Step 22 - Install the left CoreXY motor idlers - Part 2
- Left CoreXY motor lower assembly from the previous step
- Install the following components in order on to the front M5x45 Cap Head Screw:
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x14mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x4mm
- It is important to verify that all spacers and idlers are correctly placed. Failure to do so will cause issues later in the guide
¶ Step 23 - Install the left CoreXY motor assembly - Part 1
- V-Core 4.1 frame assembly - Rear left corner
- Left CoreXY motor assembly from the previous step
- Align the left CoreXY stepper motor assembly with the rear left extrusion as shown
- Raise the assembly upwards until the plate is flush with the extrusions above
- Make sure the assembly is fully seated against the vertical 3030 extrusion and that all four T-nuts are slotted into the upper extrusion slots
¶ Step 24 - Install the left CoreXY motor assembly - Part 2
- Tighten the four M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the CoreXY motor assembly to both extrusions
- Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed part
¶ Step 25 - Install the left CoreXY motor assembly - Part 3
- Left CoreXY motor upper assembly from step 16
- Place the left CoreXY motor upper assembly on top of the CoreXY motor assembly as shown. Allow it to rest on the tips of the M5x45 Cap Head Screws. Do not push it down at this point
- The upper assembly will not sit fully on the 3030 extrusions at the moment. This is normal
- Make sure that the tips of the two M5x45 Cap Head Screws locate into the matching holes in the underside of the upper assembly
- Make sure that the tip of the stepper motor shaft locates into the middle of the bearing within the upper assembly
- Carefully and progressively fasten both M5x45 Cap Head Screws, swapping from one to the other to uniformly secure the upper assembly in place
- Fasten all four M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the upper assembly to the frame
- Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed part
¶ Step 26 - Install the left CoreXY motor assembly - Part 4
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 3x6x30mm
- Insert the aluminium spacer between the upper and lower motor plates as shown
- Align the aluminium spacer with the marked hole
- 1x M3x40 Countersink Screw
- Insert the M3x40 Countersink Screw through the hole in the printed part, upper motor plate, the aluminium spacer, lower motor plate, and then into the stepper motor
- Fully tighten the M3x40 Countersink Screw to secure the assembly together
¶ Step 27 - Install the right CoreXY motor idlers - Part 1
- Right CoreXY motor lower assembly from step 12
- Install the following components in order on to the rear M5x45 Cap Head Screw:
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x4mm
¶ Step 28 - Install the right CoreXY motor idlers - Part 2
- Right CoreXY motor lower assembly from the previous step
- Install the following components in order on to the front M5x45 Cap Head Screw:
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 5x8x17mm
- It is important to verify that all spacers and idlers are correctly placed. Failure to do so will cause issues later in the guide
¶ Step 29 - Install the right CoreXY motor assembly - Part 1
- V-Core 4.1 frame assembly - Rear right corner
- Right CoreXY motor assembly from the previous step
- Align the right CoreXY stepper motor assembly with the rear right extrusion as shown
- Raise the assembly upwards until the plate is flush with the extrusions above
- Make sure the assembly is fully seated against the vertical 3030 extrusion and that all four T-nuts are slotted into the upper extrusion slots
¶ Step 30 - Install the right CoreXY motor assembly - Part 2
- Tighten the four M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the CoreXY motor assembly to both extrusions
- Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed part
¶ Step 31 - Install the right CoreXY motor assembly - Part 3
- Right CoreXY motor upper assembly from step 19
- Place the right CoreXY motor upper assembly on top of the CoreXY motor assembly as shown. Allow it to rest on the tips of the M5x45 Cap Head Screws. Do not push it down at this point
- The upper assembly will not sit fully on the 3030 extrusions at the moment. This is normal
- Make sure that the tips of the two M5x45 Cap Head Screws locate into the matching holes in the underside of the upper assembly
- Make sure that the tip of the stepper motor shaft locates into the middle of the bearing within the upper assembly
- Carefully and progressively fasten both M5x45 Cap Head Screws, swapping from one to the other to uniformly secure the upper assembly in place
- Fasten all four M6x12 Cap Head Screws to secure the upper assembly to the frame
- Be careful not to overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed part
¶ Step 32 - Install the right CoreXY motor assembly - Part 4
- 1x Aluminium Spacer - 3x6x30mm
- Insert the aluminium spacer between the upper and lower motor plates as shown
- Align the aluminium spacer with the marked hole
- 1x M3x40 Countersink Screw
- Insert the M3x40 Countersink Screw through the hole in the printed part, upper motor plate, the aluminium spacer, lower motor plate, and then into the stepper motor
- Fully tighten the M3x40 Countersink Screw to secure the assembly together
¶ Step 33 - Prepare the tensioner arm parts
- 2x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Arm v1.0 (SKU: HW3615PC)
- 2x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley (SKU: HW3870WC)
- 4x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm (SKU: HW1630NC)
- 2x M5x22 Countersink Screw (SKU: HW3638SC)
¶ Step 34 - Assemble the tensioner arms
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Arm v1.0
- Assemble the idler pulley assembly in the following order, and then insert it into the tensioner arm as shown:
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4 - Heavy Duty Idler Pulley
- 1x Shim - Mini Precision Shim - 8x5x1mm
- 1x M5x22 Countersink Screw
- Insert the M5x22 Countersink Screw through the top of the tensioner arm and the idler pulley assembly, then tighten it fully
- Prepare two tensioner arm assemblies and then set them aside
¶ Step 35 - Prepare the tensioner body parts
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Body - Left v1.0 (SKU: HW3613PC)
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Body - Right v1.0 (SKU: HW3614PC)
- 6x M4x30 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW3637SC)
- 2x M4x20 Cap Head Screw (SKU: HW1621SC)
- 2x M4x6 Set Screw (SKU: HW3639SC)
¶ Step 36 - Assemble the left tensioner - Part 1
- V-Core 4.1 frame assembly - Front left corner
- Locate the three M4 screw holes within the 3030 extrusion slot
- 3x M4x30 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M4x30 Cap Head Screw in to each of the three screw holes as shown
¶ Step 37 - Assemble the left tensioner - Part 2
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Body - Left v1.0
- Orient the tensioner body as shown
- Align the three M4 screw threads in the tensioner body with the tips of the three M4x30 Cap Head Screws
- Thread all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws into the tensioner body but do not tighten them. The tensioner body should remain slightly loose so that is can be correctly aligned before being fully fastened to the frame assembly
¶ Step 38 - Assemble the left tensioner - Part 3
- Press the tensioner body against the 3030 extrusion whilst pushing it towards the front of the frame assembly as shown
- Continue to hold the tensioner body in this position until it is fully fastened
- Carefully and progressively fasten all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws, swapping from one to the other to uniformly secure the tensioner body to the frame
- Make sure that all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws are fully fastened
¶ Step 39 - Assemble the left tensioner - Part 4
- 1x M4x20 Cap Head Screw
- Fully insert the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the lower front hole on the tensioner body, as shown
- 1x Tensioner arm assembly from step 34
- Partially thread the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the tensioner arm assembly
- It is important to only partially thread the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the tensioner as this will allow for the greatest range for tensioning the belts during commissioning
¶ Step 40 - Assemble the left tensioner - Part 5
- 1x M4x6 Set Screw
- Partially thread the M4x6 Set Screw into the marked hole on the tensioner body
- Do not fully thread or tighten the M4x6 Set Screw, it will be used to retain the tensioner arm during commissioning and must remain loose for now
¶ Step 41 - Assemble the right tensioner - Part 1
- V-Core 4.1 frame assembly - Front right corner
- Locate the three M4 screw holes within the 3030 extrusion slot
- 3x M4x30 Cap Head Screw
- Insert an M4x30 Cap Head Screw in to each of the three screw holes as shown
¶ Step 42 - Assemble the right tensioner - Part 2
- 1x Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Tensioner Body - Right v1.0
- Orient the tensioner body as shown
- Align the three M4 screw threads in the tensioner body with the tips of the three M4x30 Cap Head Screws
- Thread all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws into the tensioner body but do not tighten them. The tensioner body should remain slightly loose so that is can be correctly aligned before being fully fastened to the frame assembly
¶ Step 43 - Assemble the right tensioner - Part 3
- Press the tensioner body against the 3030 extrusion whilst pushing it towards the front of the frame assembly as shown
- Continue to hold the tensioner body in this position until it is fully fastened
- Carefully and progressively fasten all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws, swapping from one to the other to uniformly secure the tensioner body to the frame
- Make sure that all three M4x30 Cap Head Screws are fully fastened
¶ Step 44 - Assemble the right tensioner - Part 4
- 1x M4x20 Cap Head Screw
- Fully insert the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the lower front hole on the tensioner body, as shown
- 1x Tensioner arm assembly from step 34
- Partially thread the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the tensioner arm assembly
- It is important to only partially thread the M4x20 Cap Head Screw into the tensioner as this will allow for the greatest range for tensioning the belts during commissioning
¶ Step 45 - Assemble the right tensioner - Part 5
- 1x M4x6 Set Screw
- Partially thread the M4x6 Set Screw into the marked hole on the tensioner body
- Do not fully thread or tighten the M4x6 Set Screw, it will be used to retain the tensioner arm during commissioning and must remain loose for now
¶ Step 46 - Remove the Y-axis plastic linear rail stops
- Left-hand Y-axis linear rail plastic stop
- Right-hand Y-axis linear rail plastic stop
- The plastic stops are no longer required and can be discarded
¶ Step 47 - Next guide
- Continue with the next guide: Bed Assembly