E3D Help Centre

Roto Support: Roto Vitamins

Summary

  • Drive type: Dual drive
  • Mass for Base Roto Vitamins Configuration ~ 117.5g
    • Roto Vitamins Gearbox Kit = 29.22g
    • Printed Part ~ 27.53g
    • Roto Motor (sold separately) = 60.75g
  • Nominal steps per mm (16x microstepping): 2682
  • Rotation distance (including the gear ratio): 26.8937
  • Extrusion force: 70N+
  • Gear ratio: 11.262:1
  • Minimum recommended current: 0.45A Peak (0.318A RMS)
  • Maximum current: 0.6A Peak (0.424A RMS)
  • Motor voltage: 24V
  • Filament Diameter: 1.75mm

Performance Characteristics 

  • Maximum ambient printing temperature: 40°C

Service Temperatures

  • Note, these are maximum service temperatures of the components used and not a guaranteed operating temperature of the system
    • Motor: 80°C (surface temperature)
    • Gearbox: 85°C (surface temperature)
    • Idler: 85°C (ambient temperature)

Motor Specifications & Diagrams 

  • Motor mass: 50 g
  • Motor wire length: 40mm
  • Phase number: 2 phases
  • Rated voltage: 4.5 VDC
  • Minimum recommended motor current: 0.45A Peak (0.318A RMS). Do not exceed 0.6A Peak (0.424A RMS).
  • Resistance (20 °C): 7.5±10% Ω / Phase
  • Holding torque: 75 mNm
  • Detent torque: 5 mNm
  • Rotate direction: ABCDA CW
  • Step angle: 0.9°
  • Rotor inertia: 7 gcm²

Filament Sensor (Sold Seperatly)

  • Weight ≈ 14.4g
  • Connector: JST SH SM04B-SRSS-TB(LF)(SN)
  • Filament runout sensor
  • Programmable action button
  • Bi-color LED to show status:
    • Red - no filament detected
    • No Light - filament present
    • Blue - action button is pressed

Filament Sensor Wiring

  • Green wire - Action Button
  • Blue Wire - Filament Sensor
  • Red - VCC (3.3V-5V)
  • Black - GND

Maintenance 

  • Do not remove the grease from the drive gears.
  • Use a brush or compressed air to dislodge filament debris from hobb teeth.

Materials

  • Gearbox: Steel, POM
  • Idler: POM
  • Bushings: Oilite

Roto Connectors

Parts  Housing/PCB Connector  Crimp  Wire Gauge
Motor Molex Microfit 3.0, 43025-0400  Molex Microfit 3.0, 43030-0004 (reel), 43030-0010 (bag)  28 AWG
Filament Sensor   JST SH SM04B-SRSS-TB(LF)(SN)   N/A   N/A  

Recommended Mating Connectors

Parts  Housing/PCB Connector  Crimp  Wire Gauge Table header 4
Motor Molex Microfit 3.0, 43020-0401  Molex Microfit 3.0, 43031-0001 (reel), 43031-0007 (bag)  24 AWG  Molex Microfit 3.0, 43045-0400 (right angle)
Filament Sensor   JST SHR-04V-S-B   JST SSH-003TP0.2- H   28 AWG   N/A

 

Volumes & Dimensions

Assembly Guide

  • Your upgrade kit will have the following components:
    • 1 x Roto Gearbox
    • 1 x Roto Idler
    • 1 x Roto Drive Hobb
    • 1 x Bowden Coupling
    • 1 x M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3
    • 1 x M-FIX-DOWEL-18-1
  • During this upgrade, you will need: 
    • 1 x 2.0mm hex key
    • 3mm drill bit
    • 1 x M3x12 bolt
    • 2 x M3x30 bolts
    • 1 x M3x35 bolt
    • 1 x Roto Motor
  • Locate the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-1 (1mm diameter pin) in your upgrade kit and insert it into the designated hole on the Roto Vitamins Cover.

  • Apply pressure with your finger in the direction indicated by the red arrow in the image below to ensure the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-1 is fully inserted through the second hole on the Roto Vitamins Cover.

  • You might need to press the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-1 against a hard surface, like your desk, to ensure it is fully inserted. 
  • You can use the end of a hex key or small flat head screwdriver to press it in the final bit if needed. 
  • Locate the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3 (3mm diameter pin) in your upgrade kit and insert it into the designated hole on the Roto Vitamins Cover.

  • Ensure the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3 is fully inserted into its designated hole until it sits flush with the back of the Roto Vitamins Cover.
  • You need to ensure that the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3 is completely perpendicular to the face it is pressed against so that the drivetrain runs smoothly.
  • Since the Roto Vitamins cover is 3D printed, the hole tolerances may differ depending on the printer. You may need to clear out the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3 hole using a 3mm drill bit before inserting it. Once done, press the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3 against a hard surface, like a desk, to ensure it is completely inserted.

  • Locate the Roto Idler in your upgrade kit and attach the spring as demonstrated in the image below.

  • Mount the Roto Idler into the Roto Vitamins Cover. 

  • Ensure that the Roto Idler is fully inserted.
  • You may need to press the spring in further by hand if it binds up on the cover, you can use a large hex key to assist with this.

  • Mount the Roto Drive Hobb into the Roto Vitamins Cover by inserting it in the M-FIX-DOWEL-18-3.

  • Make sure that the Roto Idler is disengaged before fully inserting the Roto Drive Hobb. 
  • It is recommended to leave the idler clipped over the dowel pin and disengaged from the Roto Drive Hobb until it is assembled onto the gearbox so that it doesn't push the 3mm dowel pin out of alignment.

  • Attach the Roto Motor to the Roto Gearbox by securing it with the M3x12 bolt, as shown in the picture below.

  • You can get yourself a Roto Motor here.

  • Secure the Revo Vitamins cover to the gearbox by fastening 2 x M3x30 bolts and 1 x M3x35 bolt.

Upgrade Guides 

  • All Roto Vitamins covers are designed based on DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing). They have been developed to be printed without support with the front face that has the E3D logo on it placed down on the printing bed. 
  • Recommended print settings: 
    • Material: ASA/ABS
    • Perimeters: 4
    • Top layers: 5
    • Bottom layers: 5
    • Infill: 40%

Base Roto Vitamins

  • The base variant is a compact cover that can be used as is, or as the base for a custom cover to fit into a specific printer. This version mounts via the four Ø3.3mm holes in the gearbox cover which can be a clearance for M3 bolts, tapped to use M4 bolts or use directly with 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws (two holes on each side)

Dragon Burner Mounting

  • This design extends the printed cover out so that it can mount directly onto the hotend mount piece on the Dragon Burner toolhead.
  • There is a separate block that needs to be removed to allow access to the left bolt that holds the extruder in place as the bottom left extruder bolt path clashes with it. This was done in two pieces as a balance between cosmetics and functionality/strength.
  • The groove down the left side of the cover enables access to the left mounting bolt with an Allen key, either a ball nose or the short end of a standard Allen key can be used.
  • There are two Dragon Burner mounting options: 

Option 1

Option 2

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 2 x M3x25mm
  • 1 x M3x40mm

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead:

  • 2 x M3x10mm

Print files required:

StealthBurner Mounting 

  • There are multiple different versions of the StealthBurner mount to work with different electronics and with/without the dragchain mount. The Roto cover is a single printed part that has all the required mounting features to assemble into your existing Stealthburner. You will need to print a new custom StealthBurner main body with a couple of additional cut outs for the idler arm. There is also an optional cable cover that can be used in certain configurations.

Roto Vitamins for Long Cables or Stock StealthBurner Toolboard

  • This is designed to work with long cables that run back to the main printer control board. The default version comes with dragchain mounting points:

  • The PCB cover rotates around ther cover pivot, allowing easy access to the PCB.

  • After mounting the Stealthburner body:

 

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 3 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm
  • 1 x M3 Square Nut
  • 3 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the stock toolboard (optional):

  • 2 x M3x3mm

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 1 x M3x8mm
  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 3 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

  • Roto-Vitamins-Stealthburner-Body
  • Roto-Vitamins-Cover-Stealthburner-Mount
  • Roto-Vitamins-Cable-Cover-For-PCB
  • Roto-Vitamins-Cable-Cover-Pivot

It’s also available without dragchain mounting points:

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 3 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm
  • 2 x M3 Square Nut
  • 3 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the stock toolboard (optional):

  • 2 x M3x3mm

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

Roto Vitamins With Right Mounted Roto Toolboard

This comprises of a custom cover for the Roto extruder as well as a custom StealthBurner main body with a couple of additional cut outs for the cables/connectors. A custom bracket is required to be able to attach a toolboard to the right hand side of the Roto extruder.

LDO Roto Toolboard

This uses a custom spacer to be able to mount the LDO Roto Toolboard on the right side of Roto. 

  • The default version comes with dragchain mounting points:

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 3 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the LDO Roto toolboard:

  • 2 x M4x10mm OR 2 x 10mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws
  • 1 x M4x20mm OR 2 x 20mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 1 x M3x8mm
  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 3 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

  • Roto-Vitamins-Stealthburner-Roto-Toolboard-Body
  • Roto-Vitamins-Cover-Stealthburner-Right-Side-TB-Mount
  • Roto-Vitamins-Stealthburner-LDO-TB-Spacer

It’s also available without dragchain mounting points:

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 2 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the LDO Roto toolboard:

  • 2 x M4x10mm OR 2 x 10mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws
  • 1 x M4x20mm OR 2 x 20mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

Duet Roto Toolboard

This uses a custom spacer to be able to mount the Duet Roto Toolboard on the right side of Roto. 

The default version comes with dragchain mounting points. 

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 3 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the Duet Roto toolboard:

  • 2 x M4x20mm OR 2 x 20mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 1 x M3x8mm
  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 3 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

  • Roto-Vitamins-Stealthburner-Roto-Toolboard-Body
  • Roto-Vitamins-Cover-Stealthburner-Right-Side-TB-Mount
  • Roto-Vitamins-Stealthburner-Duet-TB-Spacer

It’s also available without dragchain mounting points:

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 2 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting of the Duet Roto toolboard:

  • 2 x M4x20mm OR 2 x 20mm long 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

Roto Vitamins With Left Mounted Toolboard 

M3, M4 or 4mm 45° Polyfix self tapping screws will be required to mount the toolboard depending on the design chosen

This is the same as the stock Roto vitamins version but has additional cutouts for cables on the left hand side of the Roto cover. However, this does prevent the use of the standard dragchain mount. A custom bracket is required to be able to attach a toolboard to the left hand side of the Roto extruder. In this configuration, you can use the optional cable cover that mounts on the right hand side of the Roto

The fixings required for the Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 3 x M3x25mm
  • 2 x M3 Heatset Insert

The fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead (can be re-used from an existing StealthBurner if upgrading):

  • 2 x M3x10mm
  • 2 x M3x20mm

Print files required:

LGX Lite Mounting Pattern

This design uses the bolting pattern from a LGX Lite.

Fixings required for Roto Vitamins assembly:

  • 1 x M3x12mm
  • 2 x M3x30mm
  • 1 x M3x35mm

Fixings required for the mounting to the toolhead with a 5mm plate:

  • 4 x M3x10mm

Print file required:

Firmware

Extrusion speed may be limited if stepper drivers are configured to use stealthChop mode as this mode limits the motor performance at higher RPMs which Roto can be susceptible to due to its high gear ratio. On most modern control boards this is disabled by default and spreadCycle mode is used instead. This is something you will see when you are configuring your stepper drivers via UART. However if you are running your stepper drivers in stand alone mode and using the trim pot to set your motor current, then your stepper drivers could be defaulting to stealthChop. This is a known issue with TMC2208 drivers.

Motor Current

The Revo Roto motor has a lower current rating that many typical extruder setups, therefore if you attempt to power the motor with stock firmware settings.

  • Minimum recommended current: 0.45A Peak (0.318A RMS)
  • Maximum current: 0.6A Peak (0.424A RMS)
  • Do not exceed 0.6A Peak (0.424A RMS) current in your firmware. Failure to adjust motor current prior to install is likely to cause permenant irreversable damage to both the motor and the Roto assembly.

Steps per mm 

  • Nominal steps per mm (16x): 2682

Rotation Distance

  • Rotation distance (including the gear ratio): 26.8937
  • Gear ratio: 11.262:1

Jerk 

  • Jerk: 2.5 mm/s

Acceleration

  • Maximum extruder acceleration: 3000 mm/s²

Retraction 

  • Retraction length: 0.5mm
  • Retraction speed: 40mm/s

Compliance