Let’s Install:

Y-Axis Assembly Upgrade on the Rep 2/2x

Removing the Extruder

• Remove the left side, front, and side panels.
• Remove the active cooling fan ducts as well as the two bolts holding the extruder to the carriage.
• Follow the extruder cables behind the machine and cut any zip-ties that are holding the cables to the printer, (it’s possible that you don’t have any, which is fine.)
• Remove the extruder from the carriage.
• Take the cables out of the slots in the back and lay the assembly behind the machine.

Removing the Endstop PCB’s Cable

• Move to the right side of the gantry system where the endstop pcb and x-axis motor are located.
• We are going to remove the endstop pcb’s cable.
• To do this, push down on the small lever and pull. A flat screw driver may be needed.
• On the outside of the same area, remove the metal pin. This will free the cables so that the endstop pcb connector can be pushed out.
• Remove the motor cable. There should be a small zip-tie holding the cables to the top of the frame. Gently cut this to ensure no damage to the wires.

Removing the Belt from the Y-axis Secondary

• To do this, move to the left side of the machine.
• Push the belt out from the outside of the machine inwards.

Removing the Gantry System

• Back on the right side of the machine, remove the belt.
• On the same side, but in the front right corner, remove the wires from their holders.
• Loosen the small bolts or slide them out.
• Remove the wires from their first holder.
• From this angle you’ll remove the right side linear rod.
• Grasp firmly and press down. You’ll hear a loud click.
• Move to the front left corner and repeat the process.
• Push down on both the left and right linear rods to remove them from the back brackets.
• Take the gantry system out of the printer.

Removing the Endstop PCB

• On the right side, remove the endstop pcb by unscrewing it and using a flat screwdriver to push it free from the y-axis primary.
• Turn the gantry system so you can see the screws from the x-axis motor on the y-axis primary.
• Remove all four screws. Do not lose the washers.

Pulling the Y-axis off of the X-axis Linear Rods

• On the left side, remove the x-axis idler pully from the y-axis secondary.
• Position the gantry system so you can pull the y-axis secondary and y-axis primary off of the x-axis linear rods.
• Take the y-axis primary and y-axis secondary and remove the bushings.
• Once you have the rods out, pull the bushings of the rods when done.

Assembling the Motor

• Open the upgrade kit and remove its contents.
• Before proceeding, use a q-tip or a brush to clean the x-axis motor pulley, (a toothpick or knife may also be used to clear the gears.)
• Take the motor mount from the kit and align it on the motor.
• Flip the motor upside down, or so the motor connectors are facing down.
• Screw the motor mount onto the motor with the motor’s previous screws and washers.
• Grab the linear bracket marked “R”.
• Loosen the set screws and position the motor mount on the linear bracket.
• The motor’s pulley should be away from the “R” and screwed into the last two holes.
• Make sure that the linear bracket and motor mount are parallel to each other.
• Grab the spacer from the kit, along with the endstop pcb and its screws from earlier.
• Secure the endstop pcb onto the motor mount.

Reassembling the Gantry System

• Place the carriage down with the bushings facing upwards and the front of the carriage pointing away from you.
• Grab the “R” linear bracket assembly and loosen its bottom set screws.
• Slide the x-axis rods into place by flushing the ends of the rod to the outside of the linear bracket.
• Re-tighten the set screws and loop the belt over the motor pulley.
• Take the “L” linear bracket and loosen its bottom set screws.
• Slide the x-axis rods into place by flushing the ends of the rods to the outside of the linear bracket.
• Re-tighten the set screws.
• Loosen the shoulder bolt and slide the bolt into place.
• You can add some Loctite to the shoulder bolt threads if desired.
• Re-tighten the shoulder bolt.

Placing the Linear Rods

• Move back to the “R” linear bracket.
• Pull the motor so the belt becomes taut. Tighten the motor set screws.
• Once the belt is tight, flip the gantry system right side up and take the y-axis linear rods and push them through the linear bearings.

Continuing with the Gantry System

• Move the entire gantry system into the printer.
• The “L” bracket on the left side and the “R” bracket on the right side.
• In the back left corner, press the linear rod into place; you’ll hear a loud click.
• Do the same for the front left, rear right, and front right.
• Make sure that no cables get caught between the rod and the bracket.
• The gantry system should move freely in all directions.

Reinstalling the Belts

• On the left side, move the linear bracket as far forward as possible.
• Hold the forward pressure while you loop the belt underneath the back belt clamp.
• Move to the right side of the printer and push the linear bracket as far forward as possible.
• Hold the forward pressure while you loop the belt underneath the back belt clamp.
• You can now move the carriage away from the front and loop the belts underneath both of the front belt clamps.

Finishing Up

• Replace the front right wires into their holders, (if you loosen the nuts, re-tighten them.)
• Reconnect the pcb endstop cable and motor cable. Replace the zip-tie to the frame.
• Re-set the extruder cables on the back side of the machine and secure the extruder to the carriage.
• Replace the side covers to complete the installation.