Poop Shoot Conveyor Belt System VERSION 2

Poop Shoot Conveyor Belt System - Version 2.0 (BALL BEARINGS BABY!)

I’m excited to announce the release of Version 2 of the conveyor belt system! This update introduces ball bearings to significantly reduce friction between gears and improve overall performance. After a few hundred hours of testing, I noticed that plastic-on-plastic contact was less than ideal for durability. The addition of ball bearings (½ x 1-1/8 x 5/16 inches) has enhanced longevity and smoothness dramatically.

What’s New?

• Enhanced Durability with Ball Bearings: Version 2 includes ball bearings (½ x 1-1/8 x 5/16 inches) at the end of each bracket, reducing friction and delivering smoother, more durable operation.
• Improved Gear Design: The gear has been redesigned to ensure a better fit and a stronger grip on the track, resulting in a more reliable performance.

Upgrade from Version 1
If you’ve already printed Version 1, here’s what you’ll need to update your system:

• Components to Replace: motor and end brackets, couplings, and gears.
• Additional Parts: four ball bearings (½ x 1-1/8 x 5/16 inches) and 16 M3x10 screws and nuts to assemble the new parts.

**Make sure to read notes from Version 1
 

If you encounter any issues with assembly or have further questions or feedback, please reach out—I’d love to hear from you. Thank you again, and I hope this updated design brings even more value to your 3D printing projects!

Happy printing!
– 3DPrintAdventures

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Poop Shoot Conveyor Belt System - Version 1.0

Introducing Version 1.0 of the Poop Shoot Conveyor Belt System! After months of dedicated work, I'm excited to share this reliable and innovative solution with you all. Designed to automate waste disposal and save space, this system eliminates the need for bulky boxes behind your printers.

With these automated 3D printable conveyor belts, waste is efficiently transported to a waste bin at the front or side of the printer. Each conveyor belt is powered by Nema 17 42x42x38mm stepper motors, driven by TMC2208 stepper drivers, and controlled by a Raspberry Pi Pico (though an Arduino can also be used – I plan to release compatible code soon). The code is written in C and is provided in the documentation. This code is for a dual-conveyor system but will still work with just one.

To simplify setup, I’ve designed a custom PCB that connects two stepper motors, two drivers, inputs for two switches, two indicator LEDs, and an override button. This PCB will be available for purchase on my Etsy store. Additionally, I’ve created custom switch mounts for the X1 and P1 models to activate the corresponding conveyor.

The conveyor belts are available in different heights (flat, 20mm high, and 80mm high) and are modular, allowing you to customize the length to your needs. I have organized the print profile by size. While I find six sections to be the ideal length for the stepper motors we’re using, you can adjust it as you see fit. The conveyor belt itself is print-in-place and easily snaps together for quick assembly.

I'm also working on Version 2.0, which will feature ball bearings to reduce friction and ensure smoother operation. As this is my first project of this complexity, I welcome your feedback to help improve the design. Stay tuned for detailed documentation and a how-to video to guide you through the assembly process.

Thank you for supporting my journey, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!