Goal

By the end of this section you will have fitted the side panels and connecting rods. (pic needed)

Side panels

The side panels support the structure of the printer, and keep it square and stable. You will need the following parts:

# Component Qty Type
1302 Front Panel 2 Laser cut
1248 RepRapPro Logo 2 Printed
242 M3x16mm cap head screw 6 Fastener
185 Microswitch 1 Electronics
133 Cable ties 2mm 1 Electronics
RRP-FISH1-038

Peel the protective covering from the panels, then push out the acrylic parts where the printed logo will fit, if they haven’t already fallen out. RRP-FISH1-039
Push the logo into position. It will only fit one way around, and from one side of the acrylic panel. This is best achieved by placing the panel face down on a flat, solid surface and gently pushing the logo into place. RRP-FISH1-040

Endstop

The endstop is the name given to the microswitch at the end of a linear axis, or carriage. It registers when the carriage comes into contact with it, and gives the axis a known-position.

Take one of the panels. The microswitch should fit on the top right of the back of the panel, as shown. RRP-FISH1-041
The microswitch is held in place with a cable tie. Note the orientation of the microswitch, with the fulcrum of the lever downwards. Thread the cable tie from the back of the panel, through the bottom hole of the microswitch, through the panel, back in from the front of the panel, and out of the top microswitch hole. RRP-FISH1-042
Tighten the cable tie, with the head of the cable tie as close in, and towards the top of the panel. It needs to be here to keep out of the way of the carriage. RRP-FISH1-043
Cut off the tail of the cable tie. RRP-FISH1-044

Fitting the panels

With the Duet electronics facing you, the panel with the endstop needs to go on the left hand side, so the endstop is on the corner away from the Duet electronics on the base. See picture for correct orientation. RRP-FISH1-045
Lift the base of the printer up, by resting the motors on something around 10mm thick, eg a piece of wood. The panel is longer than the rods. RRP-FISH1-046
Clip the panel over the cap head screws in the idler bracket at the top of the towers. You may need to slacken off the screws, so they can slide into the slot. Don’t force this; acrylic can be brittle, and may break. Ease it into position. RRP-FISH1-047
Line up the four holes in the bottom of the panel with the holes in the motor mounts. Screw in four M3x16mm cap head screws to hold it in place. These self-tap into the motor mounts. RRP-FISH1-048
At the top, the cap head screw should move into the slot. It may not be all the way down; don’t worry about this, we will adjust it later. RRP-FISH1-049
Repeat the process for the second panel. Note that this does not cover the Duet electronics! The last panel, which covers the electronics, will be put on later. RRP-FISH1-050
Again, check that the cap head screws on the idler bracket slot into the top of the panel. RRP-FISH1-051
With both in place, your printer will look like this. RRP-FISH1-052

Connecting rods

The connecting rods connect the carriage to the effector, translating the movement of the carriage into the movement of the nozzle. You will need the following parts:

# Component Qty Type
1232.1 Rod 2 Laser cut
111 M3x8mm cap head screw 2 Fastener
RRP-FISH1-053

Assembling a connecting rod

The connecting rods come in a set, and are connected together to prevent breakages during packing and transit. They are held in by a small sprue, and should break out easily. RRP-FISH1-054
Remove the protective covering from both sides of the acrylic. RRP-FISH1-055
Each rod has a hexagonal and a round hole. The M3x8mm cap head screw should pass through the hexagonal hole, and self-tap into the round hole. RRP-FISH1-056
Lasercutting creates an angled cut on the edge of the cut parts. This produces holes with differing diameters on each side of the part. The rods should be paired and arranged such that the angle is mirrored, as shown. Another way to check is that, on the flat faces of the part, one will have a sharper edges than the other. Put the sharper-edged faces together. RRP-FISH1-058
Only screw the M3x8mm cap head screw so it is level with the back of the rod. This will allow it to slip onto the steel ball of the carriage without stressing the acrylic. RRP-FISH1-057
Screw the second M3x8mm cap head screw through the hex hole, and into the round hole, at the other end of the rod. Again, don’t screw it all the way in. RRP-FISH1-059

Repeat, and connect to the carriages

Make a further five connecting rod pairs. RRP-FISH1-060
Now connect them to the carriages. Gently spread the rod, and slip it over the ball, so the hole in the rod locates around the ball. Fit it with the screw head facing inwards; this is the easier way around for accessing the screws at the top and bottom. RRP-FISH1-061
Then tighten the screw until the rod holds the ball. If you wiggle the rod, there should be no play in the joint. RRP-FISH1-062