GT2 Belt Tension Meter w/Bearings

Revision of the excellent GT2 Belt Tension Meter by PF Makes. Please visit the original page for complete instructions.
706
1996
27
18 k
updated October 1, 2024

Description

PDF

Please see original post on GitHub for thorough description, manual and instructions.

Geometrically this is the same as the original and the gauge/meter will read just as the first one.

Additional BOM:
4- M3x10x4mm bearings (623-2RS), no flange, do not use washers
4- M3x8 Button Head Cap Screw

All parts (except the pointer):
0.4 layer width
0.2 layer height
3 walls, 3 top/bottom layers
Color change: Beginning of Layers 16 and 18, or your preferred method.

Notes on the new slider:  
The goal is the slider will freely glide in the channel.  A loose fit is fine and the bearings do not need to hug the slider. The slider should not touch the bed of the channel.  If the bearings are too tight they may leave indentations along the bearing way.

→ Print "BT Gauge Slider 0.2 undersize" first.  If it is too tight or too loose, try another size.

→ Sliders with v2 have the wire keeper added.

→ Use aligned support in the bearing channel with .8mm wall separation (see photo).
Usually the interior cavities do not need support and nits left behind may interfere with the spring.  

→Sand or cut off all leftover support nits/pimples/bumps, etc

→Remove any elephants foot, pay careful attention to the gear teeth (the rack part of the rack and pinion gear)

Printing the pointers:
I had good luck at 0.1 layer height and 0.3 width, sand or clean out the elephant's foot in the gear teeth.

Tags



Model origin

The author remixed this model.

Differences of the remix compared to the original

Original design allows for plastic on plastic friction. My print suffered from stiction reducing it's accuracy and increasing my frustration.  

This version adds bearings and increases plastic/plastic clearances'.  The result is an easier to use and possibly more accurate belt tension gauge.

Geometrically this is the same as the original and the gauge/meter will read just as the first one.

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