Having problems with retraction, I figured I would try to move the motors so the gears have a little more breathing room as now suggested in the assembly guide.
When I was taking apart the spools, I noticed that in a full retracted position all four belts were pinched against the collar of the gear closest to the spool. I don’t know if I got extra long belts or if they’re all this way.
In any case, it seems like that added pressure could be contributing to retraction issues at least and could be impacting performance/stressing the machine in other ways.
Thoughts about shortening the belts by a foot or so?
(Before you ask, yes, the belts were properly routed. That what led me to check because when I opened the first one and noticed the pinch, I thought I must’ve routed them improperly.)
Having problems with retraction, I figured I would try to move the motors so the gears have a little more breathing room as now suggested in the assembly guide.
When I was taking apart the spools, I noticed that in a full retracted position all four belts were pinched against the collar of the gear closest to the spool. I don’t know if I got extra long belts or if they’re all this way.
They are all that way, they shipped us the absolute maximum amount of belt that
could fit.
In any case, it seems like that added pressure could be contributing to retraction issues at least and could be impacting performance/stressing the machine in other ways.
Thoughts about shortening the belts by a foot or so?
it only really affects you when doing a full retraction, even one wrap of belt
being extended takes the pressure off.
If you don’t need the full length to fit on your frame, you can shorten the
belts without hurting anything. (several people have)
I wouldn’t call it “fit”. The added pressure on the shaft and plastic over time can’t be good. It may not look it from the photos, but I had to pull with considerable force to dislodge it. I’d guess most folks are not going to store their machine with an extra 12-18in of belt hanging out.
Might be worth including a note in assembly: “Hey if you don’t absolutely need then entire belt length, recommend cutting ##in off. And if you do need the whole belt, store your machine with ##in extended to relieve pressure on the gears.”
