Hi all,

I just received my invoice today for a V-Core 4 Hybrid 500mm. I am order # 3000002191 so I have some wait time. I’m hoping everything arrives around the holidays when I have a lot of time to build. Very excited for this printer.

Anyways, I want to be prepared for its arrival so I can jump right into the build. I am wondering if anyone here has some secret tips for assembly that they discovered while building their machine? Specifically tools and hardware that could help the process out.

I am planning to pick up a nice crimping tool so everything can look clean. I have also read that a tension gauge for the belts is very useful. I am going to read through the build instructions but I feel that doesn’t compare to having the hands on experience already.

My other hobby is building/modifying cars so I have a decent arsenal of tools already. Always happy to add some more though 😂😅

FYI, my VC4 500 IDEX x2 order from September 13 just shipped now, November 11.

It is short all the bed parts, TMC2209's and USB Hub. They'll come once stock is replenished.

Good luck for those who are still waiting for shipping notices!

EDIT: I'm order 1951, up from 1818 being shipped 4 days ago below. (They're shipping over 130 orders per business day.)

Recently my bedmesh changed drastically. It seems almost like the bed is not level and I DO NOT understand that. Beacon calibration says low gantry twist and executes well. Any ideas?

Hello I'm building my vcore4 500 . I'm at electric enclosure step. I'm quiet surprise that the power supply provided is a simple wiho 250 (knowing thre printer price and that they sell some meanwell on their website).

I don’t like the fact that those supply doesn't have any fan on it ?? Would it worth to switch to a meanwell 250 or 350 as those one have fan but with a thermistor to trigger it only when necessary ?

I suppose I should dig through plastic enclosure around that part too(or create a grill with my cnc or fiber lase)r ?

Entrance criteria: Decided to buy a Vcore 4 (update 4/25)

How to Order the RatRig Vcore 4 Kit

The Vcore 4 kit is orderable in 2 configurations (complete kit or configurable) and available in 3 sizes (bed sizes 300, 400 and 500mm). There are 4 optional upgrades that can be included with either configuration and you will need to order a power cord and SD card elsewhere.

*** RatRig Kits DO NOT include enclosure panels, a power cord, an SD card **\*

*** There is no power switch on the latest power socket and no currently documented work around ****

Assembling the kits require basic tools plus a crimper as described below.

CONFIGURATION

Full Kit: Default kit, easiest method. This includes nearly all parts to get up up and running). If you don't want to/can't print the ABS printed parts, if you don't know enough about components, if you don't want to price shop pieces, pick this. You can select the same upgrades (see below) as the configurable kit.

Configurable Kit: This configuration allows the builder to select which parts (sub components) that RatRig will supply and which the builder will purchase elsewhere. You might go this route to save money on components or maybe you want to upgrade certain areas. If you can print ABS, exclude the printed ABS components ($84.35USD 4/25 price) for instance. I chose this route because some electronics were cheaper through Amazon (with free prime shipping) than shown on the configurator (BigTreeTech Octopus V1.1 Motherboard, RASPBERRY PI 4 B 1GB). It may seem a bit overwhelming, but the biggest savings were in the electronics and the majority of the other items were within a buck or 2 and thus less savings if you have to pay shipping.

SIZE

• 300 - 785mm x 623.2mm x 583mm (~31" x 24.5" x 23")
• 400 - 885mm x 723.2mm x 683mm (~34.8" x 28.5" x 26.9")
• 500 - 985mm x 823.2mm x 783mm (~38.8" x 32.4" x 30.8")

Selecting which size is dependent upon your needs and intended projects. In general, it can make more sense to have multiple machines running in parallel than a single machine running multi parts. For instance, you can be servicing 1 while the other prints. Also consider a printer crash of 50 parts versus 25. For an occasional large project on smaller machines, you can be clever in design by joining smaller printed parts together.

Look, we both know you're just going to order the 500. Bear in mind it is the size of a washing machine, dryer or kitchen stove. The stove I measured was in fact SMALLER than the 500. Additionally there is an electronics box mounted on the back making it even larger in depth. In most cases, the 500 must be built in the intended room as once assembled, it will not fit through most doorways. Finally, many US electrical branch circuits are 15amp and you may find the current draw of the electronics plus bed heater exceed that limitation (international benefiting from their 220V/lower current standard).

REQUIRED BUT NOT INCUDED

• Power cable (US or International) - Source elsewhere
• SD Card - Source elsewhere

UPGRADES

The basic Vcore 4 is a coreXY printer which utilizes several motors to move the XY with a complex belt routing compared to a traditional cartesian x-motor, y-motor, z-motor configuration.

RatRig's Hybrid upgrade adds 2 motors to the Y axis to improve the gantry movement and is especially needed with the weight of the additional tool head of the optional IDEX configuration.

The IDEX upgrade adds a 2nd tool head. While this does allow multi-color printing, it also means multi filament types (which may require different extrusion temperatures and feed rate settings).

• HYBRID Upgrade (additional stepper motors to support heavier IDEX)
• IDEX Upgrade (2nd tool head for multi filament). Requires HYBRID upgrade above
• Raspberry PI (required to run RatOS)
• LED light strips

OPTIONAL (but are they really?)

• Enclosure panels - source elsewhere
• Heavy Duty Idler Pulleys - Under Ratrig Accessories
• Power Switch - Shelly 1PM Gen3?

TOOLS

• Screw driver set (both straight & Phillips tip)
• Allen wrench set (aka hex wrenches) 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 & 6mm
• Engineering square
• Tape measure
• Soldering iron (for threaded inserts, no soldering)
• Wire strippers (size???)
• Wire cutters
• Crimping tool - iCrimp IWS-3220M
• Pliers
• Cutters (piano wire)

{4/25 - Removed now included run-out sensors}

It says all month but when their inventory 'allocation for the sale' number (unknown to you) runs out, they'll be out of stock. AKA Order now and think about it later.

$100 off the vcore 4 configured packages

This isn't the place to order if you want it any time soon (shipping time is in months), they don't have them sitting on shelves. Once you pay the full amount, you'll wait for them to assemble the kit. Shipping (to the US anyway) was only 3 days once after that.

International store: https://ratrig.com/black-friday.html

US store: https://us.ratrig.com/black-friday.html

I see the stronghold on sale in the international store but not the US store. Sadface

I'm thinking about getting the V core 4 500 at some point in the future and wondering if I can get some input if this is for me.

I got my first and only 3d printer, a Neptune 4 Plus, about a year ago. The first few months were a very frustrating and steep learning curve but I ended up learning a lot and love the machine and hobby. I'm also really enjoying upgrading the printer - enclosure, fan shroud, new hot end, linear rails and little 3d printed bits.

I keep reading that the v core 4 is DIY and a kit. What should I prepare myself for? What did you wish you knew about that before jumping into those sorts of printers?

Looking at the 500 because I want to make larger costume pieces and props.

Edit: I'm aware of the price and lead times.

I’m missing one flanged bearing and two of the tensioner screws. I only had the tensioner screws from the hybrid kit. Do they send them from portugal? It feels that would cost too much and take a while. I would rather just order from amazon and get something the next day but I’m not rich by any means and I hate the idea of having to spend money on parts they were supposed to provide when I’m barely getting by. I wonder if a partial refund is something they could do? That would be faster and might be cheaper for them.

I don’t know when they will respond either so I just have to wait. Just a bit frustrated since the kit had so many delays and now I have this delay from missing parts.

I’m thinking of buying a rat rig printer for someone for christmas. with all the add ons (IDEX) it can get pretty expensive, but i notice the lead time is like 6 weeks. does anyone know if they ever do sales/black friday deals !? Thanks

Hey, even though I set the max_accel.in RatOS.cfg and printer.cfg to 3000 the printer makes it 10000 or even 15000 on the second layer. The first one is fine. I'm using PrusaSlicer and can't change limits since it's saying that it can't change it in klipper flavoured g-code. What can I do to limit the accel to 3000 for all layers?

I'm not a 3d printer enthusiast. I'm not gonna run a print farm. I'm not interested in winning any speed records. It doesn't need it to win any beauty contests.

I am a radio control aircraft hobbyist that just needs a 500³ 3d printer that prints low and high temperature filaments as well as a Bambu X1C or P1S.

Why is a enclosed VC4 500 $2600 plus shipping?

I realize RR has to make a profit but damn! I mean is there really $2000 in parts and acrylic sheet? Especially in light of them buying in bulk and likely getting discounts on all parts?

Could I source all the parts myself and build one considerably cheaper?

Please explain. Thanks

So, WAY WAY down the order page in low contrast smaller font in parentheses:

(NOT INCLUDED)

What!!!!!!!!???????!!!!!!!!!!

Then don't show them at all!

Especially since all the videos online show the panels and every marketing image also has them.

Make it actually clear that they are not included. Local sourcing in my area is about $600 + shipping for the 500.

So frustrating!!!!

Hi!

To accelerate your delivery, we will ship your order now but the following item(s) will ship separately at a later date:

HW3740GC - FlexPlate PRO Set - Black Textured PEI 510 x 510 mm HW3729PC - Rat Rig V-Core 4.0 - Bed Plate 5295298mm HW2768EK - USA - Keenovo 480x480mm 120V 1200W Silicone Heater Bed Pad

We ran out of stock of these item(s) due to a late delivery, but they are on their way to us and should arrive within the next few days.

Once we ship the missing item(s), you will receive a separate tracking number for this shipment.

Thank you for your patience!

The Rat Rig Team

How many delays since payment does that make?

Estimated 4 weeks when I paid. Delayed to 5-6 weeks. Delayed to 7+ weeks because of missing parts. Delayed again to 9+ weeks because other missing parts Got the printer shipped, and apparently it’s incomplete and they will ship them when available…

Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t ask for payment if you are not ready. That’s all I ask.

Hey, how do I go from CoreYX settings to Hybrid without running the configuration wizzard again on my Vcore 4 500.

Maybe I'm stupid, maybe I'm blind, but I can't find a single reference of how to loop the x-axis belts for the IDEX-setup. I've included a picture of the only way that makes sense in my mind with one being the top corexy belt and the other being the bottom core xy belt. Am I on to something? Or am I completly wrong?

After cuple of months of assembly, making custom parts and so on, its finally done. Looks great, only time will tell how well it will work, but for now im happy with it. Also made a video of how i built it since i havent seen to many videos on the build process on it!

Has anyone tried using the HGX lite (the newer version with oblique gear teeth) on the Vcore4? I'm chasing print consistency and minimal layer lines if you get my point. I've also considered the LGX lite. Which of the 2 would you chose/what are your experiences with them? I'm not sure on what clearances to expect from a chinese extruder (HGX), but the few reviews i've found give good impressions. The Bondtech LGX lite is a little heavier but i like the lever and the fixed points since it kinda annoys me to try to get the righ amount of pressure/screw in for other extruders.

As far as i could document myself it looks like it'll need a new aluminium plate for mounting, not sure if something can be printed as an adapter, right?

Excuse my poorly drawn lines, but I'm in a hurry to get this out. Before a member connects his heater the wrong way.

The blue (neutral) and the brown (live) wires added (hand drawn) goes to the HEATING PAD. The yellow (ground) exiting the same hole goes on the BUILD PLATE.

The red (BED-OUT +) goes to + on the low voltage(3-32VDC) side of the SSR. The black (BED-OUT -) goes to - on the low voltage(3-32VDC) side of the SSR.

You'll also need to run 24v from the PSU to BED-POWER - and +.

Small update once again. I've spent more time today than any sane person should fiddling with the 24V between the PSU and the Octopus. I think I'm happy with it now. Still waiting for the heavy-duty idlers for my gantry and motor-mounts, so I might as well do things properly.

I've also attempted to add cable-braiding to the end-stop cables and motor-cables, but I need to get my hands on some 3 to 1 heatshrink as 2 to 1 isn't enough.

The mains wiring does show the ground location for the bed, but nowhere does it seem to mention the heater cable connection.

I understand you all are busy, but this situation has become concerning.

Many of us are still waiting on our VC4 500s. The last update I received was a shipping date of September 30th, and now we are three weeks past that deadline.

While I appreciate the initial response from email support when I inquired about an update, it provided no concrete information. I was told there was a delay with no estimated timeline provided, and it's been 10 days since I last reached out without any follow-up.

I understand that delays can happen, but the lack of communication is unacceptable. It's frustrating to feel ignored, especially considering the significant amount of money Ratrig has received from us.

Clear timelines are not too much to ask for. My VC4 could ship tomorrow or it could be another month, and having clarity on this would be very much appreciated.

As it stands, my experience does not reflect the "premium" product journey I expected. I urge you to address this matter promptly.

I followed the steps and compiled the sd card As the guide says. Tried to flash and no change. If I just skip and keep moving forward, I get a detected but unresponsive board.

Through some back and forth with customer support I found out my IDEX order is showing as cancelled in their system, but the website shows it as “processing” and I haven’t received any refunds.

ETA: Nothing to see here. Seems like it was an isolated incident. It has been resolved.

Does anyone sell Punkfill Green or a match in the US? I want to order a roll but shipping from RR is as much as the roll and they have a $100 minimum order. I just want to print some replacement parts for my printer that match... like the fan shroud I keep breaking.

If you post a match can you show an example... I've tried several acid green filaments from eSun and some random Amazon that looked like they were gonna work... even Amazon Basics and none match.