Inspect XY-Axes Belt Tension

Model [•] Hylo.01
Category [•] Preventive [ ] Corrective
Frequency [ ] Weekly [•] Quarterly [ ] Biannually [ ] Yearly

Summary

The procedures that follows gives instructions on how to:

Estimated time: 15 minutes

Tools

Qty Description Specification
1 Tension Meter XY Belt Tension Measuring Tool
1 Hex Key 2.5 mm
1 Hex Key 3 mm
1 Hex Key 5 mm

Parts Information

None required.

Personal Protective Equipment

Qty Description Minimum Specification
1 Safety Eyewear ANSI/ISEA Z87.1
A/R Nitrile Gloves ISO 2859-1 or ASTM D6319

Inspect and adjust Y-Axis Belts Tension

Prepare the Machine

  1. Home XYZ.
  2. On the graphical user interface (GUI), navigate to the Settings tab.
  3. Press the Y BELT POSITION button to bring the gantry in the position for Y-axis belt tension measurement.
  4. Lower the Z-axis by 300 mm.
  5. Wait until the build chamber, build platform, and hot ends are at room temperature.
  6. Open the build chamber door.
  7. Push the E-stop button.
  8. Turn the power OFF with the ON/OFF switch found on the front panel of the machine.
  9. Turn the main disconnect switch in the OFF (O) position.
  10. Press the cold plenum hood release button located on the right side of the machine.
  11. Open the cold plenum hood.

Inspect Y-Axis Belts Tension

Wait until all machine components are at room temperature before you continue. Some machine components can be hot if the machine was recently used. Failure to do so can cause injuries.

The Hylo uses two Y-axis belt tensioners. To help with print quality and machine reliability, the two Y-axis belt tensioners require periodic inspection and adjustment. In the procedure that follows, the left Y-axis tension meter installation is used as an example.

Y-Belt Tool Installation

  1. Locate the 2nd and 3rd holes on the XY subframe (1) next to the Y-axis linear rail (2).
  2. Place the tension meter base (3) on the linear rail (2) and align the two holes in the base (3) with the holes in the XY subframe (1).
  3. Manually insert the two screws (4) through the tension meter base (3) and into the two holes on the XY subframe (1).
  4. Use the 2.5 mm hex key to tighten the two screws (4).
  5. Install the measuring tool (5) onto the base (3):
    1. Pull on the handle of the shaft.
    2. Slide the tool onto the base.
    3. Align the short end of the shaft with the hole in the base.
    4. Release the handle.
    5. The short end of the shaft should press against the Y-axis belt (6) at a right angle.
  6. Look at the red O-ring (7) located on the other side of the shaft.
    1. If the red O-ring (7) is not visible, the belt tension is too low. Adjust the belt tension. Refer to Adjust Y-Axis Belts Tension
    2. If the red O-ring (7) is visible and is above the cylindrical housing, the Y-axis tension is too high. Adjust the belt tension. Refer to Adjust Y-Axis Belts Tension
    3. If the red O-ring (7) is visible and at the same height as the cylindrical housing, the Y-axis belt tension is adequate.
  7. Remove the measuring tool (5) from the base (3).
  8. Use the 2.5 mm hex key to loosen the two screws (4).
  9. Remove the base (3) from the machine.
  10. Repeat steps 1 to 9 for the other side of the machine.

Adjust Y-Axis Belts Tension

The Y-axis belt tensioners must be adjusted on both left and the right sides. In the procedure that follows, the left Y-axis belt tensioner is used as an example.

Adjust Y-Axis Belt Tension

  1. Use the 5 mm hex key to loosen the two fixation screws (1).
  2. Use the 5 mm hex key to tighten or loosen the adjustment screw (2) as necessary.
    1. Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to increase tension.
    2. Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to decrease tension.
  3. Do the Inspect Y-Axis Belts Tension procedure from step 6.
  4. When O-ring is visible and at the same height as the cylindrical housing, use the 5 mm hex key to tighten the two fixation screws (1).
  5. Do the Inspect Y-Axis Belts Tension procedure from step 6.
  6. If the red O-ring is not in the permitted range, do steps 1 to 5 as necessary.

Test and Return to Service

Make sure to remove the tension meter base from the machine. Failure to comply can result in personal injury and/or damage the machine.

  1. Close the cold plenum hood.
  2. Make sure that you remove all the tools from the machine enclosure.
  3. Close the build chamber door.
  4. Turn the main disconnect switch in the ON (1) position.
  5. Turn the power ON with the ON/OFF switch found on the rear panel of the machine.
  6. Release the E-stop button.
  7. Home XYZ.

Inspect and Adjust X-Axis Belt Tension

Prepare the Machine

  1. Home XYZ.
  2. On the graphical user interface (GUI), navigate to the Settings tab.
  3. Press the X BELT POSITION button to bring the toolheads in the position for X-axis belt tension measurement.
  4. Lower the Z-axis by 300 mm.
  5. Wait until the build chamber, build platform, and hot ends are at room temperature.
  6. Open the build chamber door.
  7. Push the E-stop button.
  8. Turn the power OFF with the ON/OFF switch found on the front panel of the machine.
  9. Turn the main disconnect switch in the OFF (O) position.
  10. Press the cold plenum hood release button located on the right side of the machine.
  11. Open the cold plenum hood.

Inspect X-Axis Belt Tension

Wait until all machine components are at room temperature before you continue. Some machine components can be hot if the machine was recently used. Failure to do so can cause injuries.

  1. Locate the 24th and 25th holes in the center of X-axis linear rail. Mounting Points on X-Axis X-Belt Tool Installation X-Belt Tool Installation - Cross Section
  2. Place the tension meter base (2) on the X-axis linear rail (1) and align the two tapped holes of the tension meter base.
  3. Manually install the two screws (3) through the tension meter base (2) and into the X-axis linear rail (1).
  4. Use the short end of 2.5 mm hex key to tighten the two screws (3). Do not tighten too much.

    The X-axis linear rail is made of aluminum. Over-tightening the screw will cause deformation of the threads and prevent the proper installation of the tension meter.

  5. Install the measuring tool (4) onto the base (2):
    1. Pull on the handle of the shaft.
    2. Slide the tool onto the base.
    3. Align the short end of the shaft with the hole in the base.
    4. Release the handle.
    5. The short end of the shaft should press against the X-axis belt (5) at a right angle.
  6. Look at the red O-ring (6) located on the other side of the shaft.
    1. If the red O-ring is not visible, the belt tension is too low. Adjust the belt tension. Refer to Adjust X-Axis Belt Tension
    2. If the red O-ring is visible and is above the cylindrical housing, the X-axis tension is too high. Adjust the belt tension. Refer to Adjust Y-Axis Belts Tension
    3. If the red O-ring is visible and at the same height as the cylindrical housing, the X-axis is adequate.
  7. Remove the measuring tool (4) from the base (2).
    1. Pull the handle d of the shaft.
    2. Slide the measuring tool out of the base.
  8. Use the 2.5 mm hex key to loosen the two screws (3).
  9. Remove the base (2) from the machine.

Adjust X-Axis Belt Tension

Wait until all machine components are at room temperature before you continue. Some machine components can be hot if the machine was recently used. Failure to do so can cause injuries.

The X-axis belt must be adjusted on the left side tensioner only.

Adjust X-Axis Belt Tension

  1. Use the 3 mm hex key to loosen the two fixation screws (1) on the left side tensioner.
  2. Use the 3 mm hex key to tighten or loosen the adjustment screw (2) as necessary.
    1. Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to increase tension.
    2. Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to decrease tension.
  3. Do the Inspect X-Axis Belt Tension procedure from step 6.
  4. When O-ring is visible and at the same height as the cylindrical housing, use the 4 mm hex key to tighten the fixation screws (1).
  5. Do the Inspect X-Axis Belt Tension procedure from step 6.
  6. If the red O-ring is not in the permitted range, do steps 2 to 5 as necessary.

Test and Return to Service

Make sure to remove the tension meter base from the machine. Failure to comply can result in personal injury and/or damage the machine.

  1. Close the cold plenum hood.
  2. Make sure that you remove all the tools from the machine enclosure.
  3. Close the build chamber door.
  4. Turn the main disconnect switch in the ON (1) position.
  5. Turn the power ON with the ON/OFF switch found on the rear panel of the machine.
  6. Release the E-stop button.
  7. Home XYZ.

Last modified: August 1, 2024