Releases: gregsaun/prusa_i3_bear_upgrade
Bear Upgrade 2.1.1
Improvements
- Add PrintedSolid as new distributor
- Add MK3S+ compatibility in documentation
- Fix typo and sentences in documentation
Compatibility
This Bear Frame Upgrade 2.1 is compatible with the Full Bear Frame Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame. If you do not know which frame you have please check our FAQ here. The 2.1 version needs extra hardware (screws, nuts, washers, dowel pin), check the bill of materials for more details. You can also order hardware upgrade kit from our distributor websites.
💡 If you have a Full Bear Frame Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame you can find compatible parts in the optional parts section below.
Download printed parts
Check the assets at the end of the release note.
Documentation
Special thank you
- Thank you Jason from LDO Motors for the quality manufacturing and relationship.
- Thank you to all my Patreon's for their precious support.
- Thank you to Bendix Sørensen, David Ogles, Florian Däubler, Nathan Denkin, Orlando from All3DMakers, Sleene, Termlimit, Josh Jones and Stefan Maue for helping me with development, translation and support to the community.
- Thank you to all official distributors for taking care of the kits and customers.
- Thank you to everybody in the community for making it so good.
- Thank you for making the community alive with all your comments, issues, pull requests, optional parts, make, pictures, etc.
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0
Bear 2.1 Features
- Compatible with Original Prusa i3 MK2(S), MK2.5(S) and MK3(S)
- Reuse of as many parts as possible
- Sturdy frame for faster printing
- Improved accuracy
- Reduced noise level
- Easy to use and maintain
- Built to last
- High quality aluminum extrusions
- Custom, sturdier t-nuts
- Nicer, sturdier M5 screws
- Precisely engineered printed parts
- Thoroughly tested development
- Highly customisable
- Detailed documentation via guides.bear-lab.com
- Active and open minded community
- Truly open source
Improvements (since Bear 2.1.0-rc1)
- New custom, sturdier t-nuts
- Improved documentation
- Better cable management for short cables
- Larger feet to accommodate felt pads
- New shape for build_helper_z to help during assembly
- Increase tolerance of z_leadscrew_cap
- Add STEP files
- Simplify print settings
- Convert Original Prusa SCAD files to STEP files
- Automatic build of the release and asset files
- Reorganization of the repository's structure
Bug fixes
- [Full upgrade MK2s/2.5/3] Improve building guide #44
- Suggestion for micro alignment of the Y axis rods #48
- Manual improvements #49
- Step 12.1 Could use a warning about Z motor cable lengths #53
- add preflight check and disassembly as the first step in the assembly guide #64
- ensure that all pulleys are tight #65
- New 2.1 assembly manual #101
- Rod length issue with ver 2.1 and mk2 optional build parts #106
Compatibility
This Bear Frame Upgrade 2.1 is compatible with the Full Bear Frame Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame. If you do not know which frame you have please check our FAQ here.
💡 If you have a Full Bear Frame Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame you can find compatible parts in the optional parts section.
How to upgrade
From Bear 2.0
Reprint all parts and follow the assembly guide.
From Bear 2.1.0-rc1
It is not necessary to update your printed parts but if you really want to get latest improvements you can reprint those:
- foot
- z_leadscrew_cap
- cable_clip_horizontal
- cable_clip_vertical
Download printed parts
Check the assets at the end of the release note.
Documentation
Special thank you
- Thank you Jason from LDO Motors for the quality manufacturing and relationship.
- Thank you to all my Patreon's for their precious support.
- Thank you to Bendix Sørensen, David Ogles, Florian Däubler, Nathan Denkin, Orlando from All3DMakers, Sleene, Termlimit, Josh Jones and Stefan Maue for helping me with development, translation and support to the community.
- Thank you to all official distributors for taking care of the kits and customers.
- Thank you to everybody in the community for making it so good.
- Thank you for making the community alive with all your comments, issues, pull requests, optional parts, make, pictures, etc.
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0-rc2
Release to prepare the final release of Bear 2.1, test the automatic release creation and have download links for the printed parts working.
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0-rc1
What’s new?
New build helper
This release includes a new build helper for Y axis to help alignment of the left smooth rod with the frame. Build helper for Z axis has been redesigned to ease alignment.
Both build helpers have a special shape to avoid print artifacts like elephant foot, buldges, bad corners or uneven layers. This helps building your frame as square as possible even if your print isn’t perfect.
New optional LCD cover
- New accurate design from scratch
- Makes the frame shorter thanks to a bevel in front
- Eliminate vibrations
- Easier to rotate LCD knob
- Quicker to print and use less filament
- Sleek design for better look
- Optional: LCD supports compatible with stock Prusa MK3(S) frame
- Available in several different look
Other improvements and fixes
- Improve documentation on GitHub pages
- Fix an issue where the shorter Bear frame 2.0 for MK2S, 2.5(S) was not able to reach the end stop on Y axis in some cases
- Protection against elephant foot on some Y belt holders
Compatibility
This Bear Upgrade 2.1 is compatible with Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame. If you do not know which frame you have please check our FAQ here.
💡 If you have a Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame you can find compatible parts here: optional_parts/bear_2.0_upgrade_mk2-2s-2.5-2.5s.
What should I re-print from 2.1.0-beta0 release?
Nothing needs to be reprinted except the Y belt holder for the shorter Bear 2.0 MK2(S)/MK2.5(S) frame.
What hardware is needed if I come from Bear 2.0?
Below the list is the hardware needed if you upgrade from Bear 2.0 to this new release. No changes are needed on the frame itself.
- 1x M5x16 screw (button head ISO 7380)
- 1x M3x30 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 7x M3x25 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 4x M3x18 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3x14 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3 square nut (DIN 562)
- 2x M3 hex nuts DIN 934
- 1x M3 hex nylock nut (DIN 985)
- 1x M3 washer (DIN 125), 0.5mm thick
- 1x Dowel pin, 2.95mm diameter, 15.8mm long (same as Bear X axis)
- 12x M4x5mm set screw
Check temporary assembly guide to known where this hardware is used.
Thank you
- Thank you Rebecca and Jason from LDO Motors for searching and building the best hardware for the final Bear 2.1 release. I know I can be very meticulous sometimes :D
- Thank you to Josh Jones and Florian Daeubler for there development and tests on Bear 2.1 and future
- Thank you to my Patreons for having tested the new LCD cover
- Thank you to Tom Jackson for having tested the new LCD cover adaptation for orignal Prusa frame
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0-beta0
What’s new?
New Z axis:
- Overall stiffer structure.
- Better holding of the Z smooth rod.
- Avoid alignment issue due to 90° plates.
- Easier to install and align.
- Motor is a bit higher up.
- Use M3x10 screws for motor.
- Z motor mount use only two M5 screws.
- Improve X axis ramming accuracy.
- Reduce chances or warping during print.
New end caps:
- Avoid end caps breaking by using smaller and longer set screw.
- Nicer Z end caps.
- No need to thread extrusions anymore.
New LCD supports
- Shorter support to reduce printer length.
New cable clips
- Use zip ties for horizontal and vertical clips.
- Nicer look.
- Stronger fit.
Compatibility
This Bear Upgrade 2.1 is compatible with Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame. If you do not know which frame you have please check our FAQ here.
💡 If you have a Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame you can find compatible parts here: optional_parts/bear_2.0_upgrade_mk2-2s-2.5-2.5s.
What should I re-print?
Here are the parts you need to (re-)print from Bear 2.1.0-alpha1 release:
- z_leadscrew_cap
- z_motor_mounts
- z_tops
- lcd_support_a
- lcd_support_b
- y_end_caps
- z_end_caps
- cable_clip_horizontal
- cable_clip_vertical
- cable_clip_lcd
What hardware is needed if I come from Bear 2.0?
Below the list is the hardware needed if you upgrade from Bear 2.0 to this new release. No changes are needed on the frame itself.
- 1x M5x16 screw (button head ISO 7380)
- 1x M3x30 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 7x M3x25 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 4x M3x18 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3x14 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3 square nut (DIN 562)
- 2x M3 hex nuts DIN 934
- 1x M3 hex nylock nut (DIN 985)
- 1x M3 washer (DIN 125), 0.5mm thick
- 1x Dowel pin, 2.95mm diameter, 15.8mm long (same as Bear X axis)
- 12x M4x5mm set screw
Check temporary assembly guide to known where this hardware is used.
Credits
Vecko Kojchevski Z axis parts: thingiverse.com/vekoj/designs . Vecko also gave me great feedback on the Z motor mount that were useful. Thanks!
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0-alpha1
What’s new?
- New PSU mounts for all Prusa’s PSU, including Prusa black Delta PSU.
- New Rambo base mounts to make the Rambo cover stiffer. These new mounts are secured with 2x M3x14mm screws with 2x hex nuts (before 2xM3x12mm screws only).
- New Y rod holders that increase the pressure made by the zip tie on the smooth rods. They are also more resistant to strong tightening.
- Reduce Y idler tensioner adjustment range to 2.5mm (3mm before) to reduce risk of bad assembly and increase stiffness.
- New optional parts for 9mm belt Y axis.
- Improve documentation.
Compatibility
💡 You do not need to upgrade the Bear frame if you come from Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame.
💡 You do not need to upgrade the Bear frame if you come from Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame to use Bear 2.1 releases. However you will need a special belt holder available in the optional parts.
What should I re-print?
If you come from Bear 2.1.0-alpha0 or Bear 2.0 we recommend to replace all new parts that have been updated with this release and get the new hardware corresponding. It is a good time to cleanup and grease the Y bearings (or even replace them with new one). Here are the parts you need to re-print:
- y_rod_holder
- rambo_base_lower_mount
- rambo_base_upper_mount
- y_idler_mount
- y_idler_tensioner
- psu_lower_mount
- psu_upper_mount
What hardware is needed if I come from Bear 2.0?
Below the list is the hardware needed if you upgrade from Bear 2.0 to this new release. No changes are needed on the frame itself.
- 1x M5x16 screw (button head ISO 7380)
- 1x M5x10 screw (button head ISO 7380 or Openbuilds low profile)
- 1x M3x30 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 7x M3x25 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 4x M3x18 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3x14 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 2x M3 square nut (DIN 562)
- 2x M3 hex nuts DIN 934
- 1x M3 hex nylock nut (DIN 985)
- 1x M3 washer (DIN 125), 0.5mm thick
- 1x Dowel pin, 2.95mm diameter, 15.8mm long (same as Bear X axis)
- 1x M5 T-Nut
Check temporary assembly guide to known where this hardware is used.
Bear Upgrade 2.1.0-alpha0
What’s new?
Bear Upgrade 2.1 will have a single frame for all Prusa versions (MK2S, MK2.5(S) and MK3(S)). This single frame is exactly the same frame than Full Bear 2.0 MK3 frame.
The new release also introduces a complete new Y axis with the following features
- New belt tensioner.
- New stiffer Y motor mount.
- New belt holder with clamping system.
- Easier assembly of Y motor mount.
- Creates a similar Y axis construction across all Bear frames.
- T-nuts are placed were it is easy to swap them.
- Compatible with E3D-Gates idlers.
- Compatible with Bear Upgrade MK2S and MK2.5 frame (see optional part).
- Helps to reduce Y axis stepper noise for MK3(S).
- Increase homing accuracy of MK3(S).
- Y bearing holders are now as standard (not an optional part any more).
Compatibility
💡 You do not need to upgrade the Bear frame if you come from Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK2S or MK2.5 frame to use the new Y axis. It is compatible with Full Bear MK2S and MK2.5 frames thanks to a special belt holder available in the optional parts.
💡 You do not need to upgrade the Bear frame if you come from Full Bear Upgrade 2.0 MK3 frame.
What hardware is needed?
Below the list is the hardware needed if you upgrade from Bear 2.0 to this new release. No changes are needed on the frame itself.
- 1x M5x16 screw (button head ISO 7380)
- 1x M5x10 screw (button head ISO 7380 or Openbuilds low profile)
- 1x M3x30 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 7x M3x25 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 4x M3x18 screw (socket head ISO 4762)
- 1x M3 square nut (DIN 562)
- 1x M3 hex nylock nut (DIN 985)
- 1x M3 washer (DIN 125), 0.5mm thick
- 1x Dowel pin, 2.95mm diameter, 15.8mm long (same as Bear X axis)
- 1x M5 t-nuts
Check assembly guide of our manual to see where this hardware is used.
Bear Upgrade 2.0.0
- Stronger frame with extrusion on Z axis as well as XY.
- Full and Half version of the frame.
- Compatible with Prusa MK2S, MK2.5 and MK3.
Version 1.0
- First version of the Prusa i3 Bear Upgrade
- Re-use original Z aluminum frame
- Use Openbuilds aluminum extrusion in place of the threaded shaft