WidowMaker Install Guide - WidowMaker-3D/WidowMaker GitHub Wiki

Items and Info needed for Install

  • Read though the entire Install Guide before starting the build!
  • All parts from the BOM
  • Saw/Grider For cutting extrusions (A Miter Saw with a fine tooth blade works great)
  • Drill
  • M5 Tap/Drill Bit or Thread Repair Insert Kit (If the extrusion holes in the end are bigger then a M5 you will need a kit like this)
  • You will need a Eva 2.4/3.0 Backplate with no tensioners

Prepping the Frame for Install

Rear Bottom 2040

  1. Factory "Rear Bottom 2040" needs be flipped, cutouts need to face outward to leave a clean face for the "Rear Z Motor Mount (Tri-Z)"
  2. Factory "Rear Bottom 2040" has a M4 Threaded hole in the center from the bottom plate, this hole needs drilled out to allow a M5 screw to slide though.
  3. Tap the bottom of the "Rear Vertical Extrusion 2020" and use a M5x40mm screw to attach it to the "Rear Bottom 2040" thought the drilled out hole.

Note: View is from bottom back Install_Rear_Bottom_2040_Flipped

Top Rear Motor Mount 2040

  1. Mount the "Top Rear Motor Mount 2040" to the "Rear Vertical Extrusion 2020" using the Tri-Z Rear Extrusion Upper Braces and (4) M5x10mm Screw and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts. Orient the braces so that the "Top Rear Motor Mount 2040" is offset forward.
  2. Leave screws for the "Rear Extrusion Upper Brace's" loose, you will need to adjust it when putting on the Motor Mounts.

Note: Roll-in T Nuts will make things a lot easier to leave Screws loose. Install_Top_Motor_2040

Installing the Gantry

Note: The following parts are installed the same way on both sides and highlighted in blue to help show which parts are used. Pictures are of the left side being installed.

Gantry Braces

  1. Mount the Front and back Gantry Brace's Using (2) M5x10mm Screws and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts to the Front and Rear 2040.
  2. Do the same for Right Side
  3. Do not fully tighten the back brace but enough that it will not move on you, will be removed later to install the Top Motor Mounts. WidowMaker_Brace_Install

Y 2040 Extrusion's

  1. Attach 2040 extrusion to the Braces with (2) M5x10mm Screws and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts.
  2. Do the same for the Right Side Install_Y_2040

Motor Mounts

  1. Install Left and Right Motors with (3) M3x10mm screws Install_Motor_Mounting
  2. Install the "Lower Motor Mounts" using (4) M5x10mm Screws and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts.
  • Do not tighten the "Top Rear Motor Mount 2040" all the way Install_Motor_Mount
  1. Do the same for the Right Side
  2. You can now adjust the "Top Rear Motor Mount 2040" into position and tighten the screws.

Front Idlers

  1. Install the Front Idler Mount's using (2) M5x10mm Screws and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts.
  2. Do the same for Right Side

Note: The "Front Idler Mount's" have cutouts for the 400mm linear rails. The cutout should be lined up with the bottom slot on the 2040 extrusion. Install_Front_Idler_Mount

Jointer Bottoms

  1. Install the Jointer Bottom's using (4) M3x16mm Screws.
  2. Do the same for Right Side

Note: Make sure that the LEFT side Jointer Bottom is oriented the same as the picture. If not it is installed on the wrong side! Install_Jointer_Bottom

X 2020/Tube

  1. Install Linear Rail to your choice of - 2020 Extrusion/Carbon Fiber Tube/Aluminum Tube
  2. Place X 2020/Tube in the Jointer Bottoms Install_X_Tube

Installing the Pins/Idlers/Motors

Note: This section will have picture's and instructions for both sides, the idlers and motor pulleys are mounted different on each side.

Jointer Pins/Idlers Left Side

  1. Install (2) "5x30mm Round Pins" in the "Jointer Left Bottom"
  2. Place 1 "Toothed Idler" on the front facing side of the "Jointer Left Bottom" (Side facing the front of the printer).
  3. Place 1 "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "Jointer Left Bottom" (Side facing the back of the printer). Install_Pins_Idlers_Jointers_Left

Jointer Pins/Idlers Right Side

  1. Install (2) "5x30mm Round Pins" in the "Jointer Right Bottom"
  2. Place (1) "Toothed Idler" on the front facing side of the "Jointer Right Bottom" (Side facing the front of the printer).
  3. Place (1) "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "Jointer Right Bottom" (Side facing the back of the printer). Install_Pins_Idlers_Jointers_Right

Motor Pins/Idlers/Pulley Left Side

  1. Install (2) "5x40mm Round Pins" in the "B Drive Lower Left" Motor mount.
  2. Place (1) "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "B Drive Lower Left" Motor mount with a "1mm Spacer". (Side facing the back of the printer).
  3. Place (1) "Smooth Idler" on the front facing side of the "B Drive Lower Left" Motor mount (Side facing the front of the printer). Install_1mm_Spacer
  4. Now place (1) more "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "B Drive Lower Left" Motor mount with the other and place the "Motor Pulley" on motor. Adjust so that it lines up with the "Bottom Idlers". Install_Last_Motor_Idlers_Left

Motor Pins/Idlers/Pulley Right Side

  1. Install (2) "5x40mm Round Pins" in the "A Drive Lower Right" Motor mount.

  2. Place (1) "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "A Drive Lower Right" Motor mount with a "1mm Spacer". (Side facing the back of the printer).

  3. Place (1) "Smooth Idler" on the front facing side of the "A Drive Lower Right" Motor mount (Side facing the front of the printer). Install_1mm_Spacer_Right

  4. Now place (1) more "Smooth Idler" on the back facing side of the "A Drive Lower Right" Motor mount with the other and place the "Motor Pulley" on motor. Adjust so that it lines up with the "Top Idlers". Install_Last_Motor_Idlers_Right

Front Idler Block Pins

The Inside Front Idler Block is the same for both sides.

  1. Run the M5x12mm screw for the "Front Idler Adjustment" though the front hole, now put a M5 lock nut on the screw and pull it into the recessed cutout for the Nut. Install_Nut_Front_Idlers
  2. Slide (1) "Smooth Idler into the Block and push the "5x30mm Round Pin" thought till there is about the same amount of Pin on both sides. Install_Front_Idlers_Block
  3. Now you can remove the M5x12mm screw and slide the assembled "Front Idler Block" into the "Front Idler Mount" but do not tighten it up. We need to run the belts though and its easier to be able to remove it. Install_Front_Idlers_Assembled

Install Belts/Tops

Belt Routing > Note: Pictures will be coming for the belt path but for now this will be the place holder.

  1. You can now loosely route the belts thought the idlers but do not pull to hard as it will pull the pins out and Idlers with them!

Front Idlers

  1. Remove the "Front Idler Blocks" from the "Front Idler Mounts". Wrap the belt around the Idlers, slide them back into the "Front Idler Mounts" and run the M5x12mm "Front Idler Adjustment" screw in about 1-2 turns.

Motor Mount Tops

  1. Remove the Rear "Gantry Braces" from earlier
  2. Using (3) M5x10mm screws and Hammer/Roll-In T Nuts (Hammer T Nuts seem to be easier here) mount the "A Drive Upper Right" and "B Drive Upper Left" plates top on. Motor_Mount_Tops
  3. Replace the Rear "Gantry Braces".

Jointer Tops

  1. Install the "Jointer Right Top" and "Jointer Left Top", use (1) M5x35mm and (1) M5 Locknut for each side. Install_Joinnter_Tops