Let’s Install:

Motor Cables for the MakerBot Rep 2/2x

Detaching the y-axis motor

• Remove the right side panel of your printer by unscrewing the six hex bolts.
• Loosen the lock nuts in the back right corner of the printer.
• Be sure not to remove the lock nuts, only loosen.
• Detach y-axis motor.

Detaching the x-axis motor

• Loosen the plastic tabs in the front right corner of the printer.
• Tip the printer on its left side.
• Cut the zip tie carefully to ensure no damage is done to the n-stop cable.
• Once the cables are released, remove the pin that’s locking the cables in, (also known as the x-axis primary.)
• Unplug the x-axis motor.

Continuing with x-axis motor.

• Keep the printer on its left side. Move to the motherboard cover.
• Remove the four hex bolts, then take the cover off.
• Locate where the three cables exit at the top left of the printer.
• Below where they exit, loosen the last plastic tab’s lock nut.

Pulling x and y-axis cables through printer

• Fish x-axis motor cable through the hole of the upper left corner of the printer.
• Be careful not to damage the n-stop cable while doing this.
• Once the x-axis cable is out, move to the upper right side of the casing.
• Remove the y-axis motor cable. Be careful not to damage other cables.

Removing the motherboard

• Once both of the axis cables are pulled through, remove their corresponding ferrites.
• Unplug the z-axis motor under the motherboard, and remove its ferrite from its holder.
• Unplug the motor cable connector on the motherboard.
• Remove the motherboard off of five standoffs, (screws).
• Don’t remove motherboard from the far two standoffs.
• To remove board, gently lift up with both hands while working each standoff. Doing this little by little with ensure that the board doesn’t crack.

Plugging in the z-axis motor

• Once the motherboard is removed, lift the board slightly and remove the z-axis cable from behind.
• Start fishing the z-axis cable behind the motherboard.
• After you get the z-axis cable through, set the ferrite connector in its holder and push the motherboard back on its standoffs.
• Plug in the z-axis motor.
• Plug in the large grey connecter back onto the motherboard.

Working with the y-axis cable

• Seat the remaining x and y ferrites into their holders and fish the x-axis cable through the upper left slot and attach extension on the other side.
• Place the plastic tab over the wires and tighten the lock nut.
• Back on the upper right side, push the y-axis cable through its slot.
• Replace motherboard cover and re-seat the hex bolts.

Assembling cables

• With the printer still on its left side, plug in the x-axis motor cable and run both the n-stop and motor cable through the y-axis cable trough.
• Be sure to replace the pin with little force.
• Run excess cables along the inside top of the frame above the y-axis as they were prior and zip tie them.
• Consider shaping the end of the zip tie similar to a hook. It will be easier to fish through the zip tie hole this way.
• Once the zip tie is secure, cut off the excess. Be sure not to cut the cables.

Finishing up

• Replace the cables in their plastic tabs on the right inside area of the machine.
• Tip the printer back up-right.
• Go to the back corner and go to the y-axis motor.
• Plug in the y-axis motor on tabs.
• Replace the right side panel and tighten.