Belt Tensioning

[wepollock]

I retensioned the belts today. I wonder if it pays to use belt tensioning springs or to just periodically adjust the tension as needed.

[adarcher]

Interesting, what made you think you needed to do this? Do you have a before/after print to show?

[geneb]

He likes to fiddle with things.

g.

[wepollock]

I have used belt tensioners in a custom build.... in another custom build I had the motor on the bottom and a 3d printed belt tensioner "Arch" on the top belt bearing.

Just trying to figure out (via tinkering or bodging) which way would be better.

[JayDee]

When I received my kit, it was obvious from just a cursory visual inspection that the distance between the lower idle puller assembly and the bottom edge of the linear rail was not the same on each of my axes, which meant the belt tension was inconsistent. To compensate for this, I whipped up a little spacer (pic and .stl attached) to ensure all axes were identically spaced. It will also help assure that the bottom idler assembly is square to the rail, which is more of an aesthetic concern, but nonetheless one that bugged me (mine were not square).

This spacer has come in handy several times when I've needed to take apart my axis for some reason; I can do so easily and reassemble it with the assurance that the belt tension will be the same as what it was before, and matched to the other axes.

[adarcher]

That's an interesting mod.

It'd depend on how many teeth are on each belt length though. And also, which tooth the carriage grips at as well.

When you "pluck" them, do they sound similar?

I tightened my belts a while ago and didn't see a huge improvement in quality in my prints btw, have you?