¶ Introduction
Please note: The V-Core 4.1 upgrade kit is supplied without printed parts.
The full list of required parts is as follows:
| SKU | Part Name | Quantity | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP000407 | align_1818_mgn12 | x2 | |
| PP000410 | vc41_adapter_rpi_o2s_usb_retrofit | x1 | For Electronics Enclosure v1.2 |
| PP000411 | vc40_adapter_o2s_usb_50mm | x1 | For Electronics Enclosure v1.0 / v1.1 |
| PP000392 | vc41_xy_spacer | x2 | |
| PP000406 | vc41_z_constraint | x3 | |
| PP000403 | rr_toolhead_vc41_cable_guide | x1 | x2 if upgrading an IDEX |
| PP000402 | rr_toolhead_vc41_duct | x1 | x2 if upgrading an IDEX |
| PP000401 | rr_toolhead_vc41_front | x1 | x2 if upgrading an IDEX |
| PP000409 | rr_toolhead_vc41_cable_tie | x2 | x4 if upgrading an IDEX |
| PP000408 | rr_toolhead_vc41_relief | x1 | x2 if upgrading an IDEX |
| PP000393 | vc4_x-endstop_guard | x1 | x2 if upgrading an IDEX |
The printed parts can either be downloaded as a pack or downloaded induvidually from GitHub
¶ Step 1 - Tools for this section of the guide
- The following tools are required for this section of the guide:
- A soldering iron
- Heat insert tips for the soldering iron are recommended and will make installation easier
- The V-Core 4.1 upgrade kit uses M3 sized heat inserts
¶ Step 2 - Tutorial: Installing a heat insert - Part 1
- These steps show how to install a heat insert into the printed parts, the instructions are the same for all heat insert sizes
- Example printed part
- Heat insert
- Insert the thinner end of the heat insert into the printed part hole as shown
- Soldering iron with matching size heat insert tip
- Rat Rig printed parts are made from ABS, it is recommended to set your soldering iron to 265°C to install the heat inserts
- Do not use a temperature higher than 280C as this can cause the ABS to release harmful fumes
- Be careful not to burn yourself
¶ Step 3 - Tutorial: Installing a heat insert - Part 2
- The protrusion on the heat insert tool should align with, and fit inside the heat insert as shown
- Apply gentle downward pressure to guide the heat insert into the printed part
- Keep the soldering iron perpendicular to the printed part, otherwise the insert could end up installed at an angle
- Keep applying downward pressure until the heat insert is flush with the printed part, or even a little recessed into it
- Once the heat insert is fully inserted, gently remove the soldering iron straight upwards
- Be careful not to burn yourself
¶ Step 4 - Tutorial: Installing a heat insert - Part 3
- Installed heat inert
- The heat insert will remain extremely hot for a short time, allow it to fully cool before touching it
- Verify that the heat insert is flush with the printed part, or even a little recessed into it
- If the heat insert is still proud of the printed part, you can use the soldering iron to heat it back up and push it further into the part
¶ Step 5 - Prepare the toolhead printed parts
- 1x rr_toolhead_vc41_front (SKU: PP000401)
- 1x rr_toolhead_vc41_duct (SKU: PP000402)
- 15x M3 heat insert (SKU: HW3224NC)
¶ Step 6 - Prepare the toolhead front - Part 1
- 1x rr_toolhead_vc41_front
- 2x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 7 - Prepare the toolhead front - Part 2
- 1x Front assembly from the previous step
- 5x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 8 - Prepare the toolhead duct - Part 1
- 1x rr_toolhead_vc41_duct
- 5x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 9 - Prepare the toolhead duct - Part 2
- 1x Duct assembly from the previous step
- 3x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 10 - Next steps
- If you are upgrading a CoreXY or Hybrid variant of the V-Core 4.0, then please continue following the next steps
- If you are upgrading an IDEX variant of the V-Core 4.0, then please repeat step 5 through to step 9 to prepare a second set of toolhead printed parts, and then continue following the next steps
¶ Step 11 - Important: Electronics Enclosure revisions
- There have been three revisions of the V-Core 4 electronics enclosure. It is important to establish which enclosure is on the machine you are upgrading as the instructions will vary slightly:
- Electronics Enclosure v1.0 and v1.1:
- Identifiable by the three fans on the side
- Both of these revisions require the use of the following printed part: vc40_adapter_o2s_usb_50mm (SKU: PP000411)
- Two M5x8 Self-tapping plastic screws are required to secure this mount. They are not included in the upgrade kit
- Electronics Enclosure v1.2:
- Identifiable by the single fan on the lid
- This revision requires the used of the following printed part: vc41_adapter_rpi_o2s_usb_retrofit (SKU: PP000410)
¶ Step 12 - Next steps
- If you are upgrading a V-Core 4.0 with either a revision v1.0 or v1.1 electronics enclosure, then please follow step 13 and step 14
- If you are upgrading a V-Core 4.0 with a revision v1.2 electronics enclosure, then please follow step 15 and step 16
¶ Step 13 - Prepare the electronics mounting printed parts
- 1x vc40_adapter_o2s_usb_50mm (SKU: PP000411)
- 2x M3 heat insert (SKU: HW3224NC)
¶ Step 14 - Prepare the Electronics Enclosure v1.0 or v1.1 retrofit mount
- 1x vc40_adapter_o2s_usb_50mm
- 2x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 15 - Prepare the electronics mounting printed parts
- 1x vc41_adapter_rpi_o2s_usb_retrofit (SKU: PP000410)
- 2x M3 heat insert (SKU: HW3224NC)
¶ Step 16 - Prepare the right Raspberry Pi retrofit mount
- 1x vc41_adapter_rpi_o2s_usb_retrofit
- 2x M3 heat insert
- Install an M3 heat insert into each of the marked holes
¶ Step 17 - Prepare the Z-axis constraint parts
- 3x vc41_z_constraint (SKU: PP000406)
¶ Step 18 - Prepare the Z-axis constraints
- The V-Core 4.1 Z-axis constraints are printed with support material. It is important to remove it if it is still present
- Sometimes the support material leaves the part during production or packaging, so do not worry if it is not present
- 1x vc41_z_constraint with support material
- Support material
- Carefully pull the support material from the printed part as shown
- Prepared Z-axis constraint
- Make sure that all of the support material is removed and that the underside of the part looks as shown
- Prepare three of these printed parts
¶ Step 19 - Next guide
- All of the printed parts are now prepared and will be used throughout the remainder of the upgrade guide
- Continue to the next guide: Disassembly