Z Axis Belt

[quietfox]

I'm trying to put the z axis belt together, and I've run into an issue.

Following the instructions, I opened the bag from my kit with the three belts inside it with zip ties, and took compared all three belts.  I took the shortest of the three belts, and after about a half hour of trying to get the belt routed right, I am there.  But, I have what seems like a bunch of excess belt.  I left the top secured stud with very little excess after wrapping it around the bolt, then down to the first bearing, to the stepper motor, then back down to the bottom pulley, then to the next pulley, then back down to the bolt and anchored with the zip tie.

Should this excess belt be there? Trimmed?

Photo of Bottom anchor point/excess: goo.gl/photos/WoTX7K7qW2xQzkqn7
Overall assembly photo: goo.gl/photos/Uk6s6YDSSmjPDnnL8
Top anchor point: goo.gl/photos/QrBUC4bLrQLGj21w7

[Derek the Admin]

Yes, we just provide longer belt than you need so you have something to work with as you route it, tension it, and fasten it. You'll want to make sure you got good tension on that belt. Otherwise, it will skip cogs as it drops Z into harder materials. I find it easier to get good tension when the belt as anchored at the bottom first and the extra belt is at the top. Looks like you've got it right though, just make sure your tension is good before you trim it.

[quietfox]

I ran the plate up and down, and couldn't see any skips. I also gave the belt a "pluck", and you can hear a light audible "twang" from it.

I'm going to try and bring some of that excess back to the top (and leave some still at the bottom) so I can trim from the top. So far, this was the hardest part of the build. Getting that belt around the bottom pulley took some maneuvering, some strong language, and a needle nose pliers.

[Derek the Admin]

Ya, the Z belt (well, belts in general) and the corner brackets for the frame are the toughest parts. The rest of it is pretty much just turning a screwdriver.

[quietfox]

Question for you on the corner brackets - in the instructions, it reads:
"Slide an M5 washer onto an M5x25 screw and put it
through one of the bottom holes in the frame so that
the threads are sticking through the other side. Slide
the corner bracket over the threads and into the
corner."

Should the washer be on the inside, between the nut and the corner bracket, rather than under the screw head? It seemed like the M5 nut may not have enough, and I'm not sure if this is the right term, shoulder, versus the slot of the corner bracket, and having the washer there would make some sense.

[Derek the Admin]

It is how you read it, but it really won't hurt if you choose to do it the other way.