<p>Looking at the specs for both the GT2 belt and the Synchromesh I'm very hesitant to recommend a Synchromesh over a belt.</p>

<p>The first thing that sticks out is that there are both error and cumulative error specifications for the Synchromesh. For a device like a 3D printer, I don't like the idea that of my axes can accumulate up to ±0.16 in. of error over 100 pitches (the pitch is between 0.12 in. and 0.25 in. so that is 12 to 25 in.). </p>

<p>Contrast this to a belt where the only way you have a cumulative error is if you skip a tooth and I think the winner is the GT2.</p>

<p>Looking at the non-cumulative pitch error both products are comparable but again the belt wins. For the Synchromesh we have an accuracy of ±0.002 in. versus ±0.0003(1) in. for a 2 mm GT2 belt and ±0.0012(1) in. for a 3 mm GT2 belt.</p>

<p><strong>Note:</strong> I can't be certain about exact values for error since there are no numbers for the GT2 - only a stupid chart. I also have a hard time believing that error is not a function of total length for both the Synchromesh and the GT2 belt but I'm not the manufacturer. However, since both products are made by the same company I wouldn't be as concerned about them trying to oversell one product over the other.</p>

<p><em>In conclusion, I don't see of any reason to choose a Synchromesh over a belt if your physical layout is compatible with both. As pointed out in the marketing material for the Synchromesh, it can be routed along 3 axes whereas a belt works best along a single axis. The Synchromesh seems to be a product designed for a very specific application...</em></p>

<p><strong>Sources</strong></p>

<p><a href="http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Technical-Section-Timing.pdf" rel="noreferrer">http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Technical-Section-Timing.pdf</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Synchromesh-Cable-and-Attachment-Inch.pdf" rel="noreferrer">http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Synchromesh-Cable-and-Attachment-Inch.pdf</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T17:16:30.243Z
I've heard from people that use synchromesh that the cumulative pitch error doesn't actually cause any issues. They say the pitch is consistent and much tighter than the spec, so it doesn't cause any issues at normal printer scales.
Ryan Carlyle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-13T03:19:53.140Z
@RyanCarlyle, I don't doubt the product may perform better than specifications but choosing components based on "may perform better" does not seem like a wise decision unless there are other motivators. You asked "are they significantly better than GT2 belts?" I answered "not according to the specs".
Kevin Morse
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-13T04:05:47.307Z
It's a fine answer, I'm just pointing out that the people using its end to  think it's better than GT2, and it would be nice to talk about why that is.
Ryan Carlyle
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-01T13:04:11.210Z
@RyanCarlyle It's possibly a psychologic thing...
Trish
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T09:01:48.890Z
2016-03-09T09:01:48.890Z
Kevin Morse
<p>Some 3d printers use synchromesh cables instead of belts. For example, the Deezmaker Bukito (<a href="http://bukito3d.com/" rel="noreferrer">http://bukito3d.com/</a>) and a number of RepRap conversions.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WYTJJ.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WYTJJ.jpg" alt="http://christophergranz.com/?p=449"></a>
<em>Photo from <a href="http://christophergranz.com/?p=449" rel="noreferrer">http://christophergranz.com/?p=449</a></em></p>

<p>Are they significantly better than GT2 belts? What are the challenges?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T03:11:17.737Z
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/deltabot/9BFg8H5eq3o
Kevin Morse
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-09T04:07:04.387Z
Yeah, I saw that, just curious if anyone here had different thoughts. Terence's answer is a load of crap. (Metric firmware? Yeah right. Gcode coordinates are floating point so it's irrelevant whether the steps/mm is integer or not.)
Ryan Carlyle
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-03T20:20:06.997Z
I noticed that your question has not had much activity lately, are you still looking for an answer to this question? How might we be able to close some gaps?
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-04T02:09:14.393Z
Really need to get Whosa Whatsis or someone from Deezmaker to answer. Or I could just answer it myself.
Ryan Carlyle
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-10-09T12:22:55.237Z
One big advantage would be the ability to located the motors below the build chamber, thus removing a heat-sensitive component. In the future, this could enable higher build chamber temps, although since the syncromesh cable is currently spec'ed at no more than 80C that doesn't provide a lot of net gain.
Kenn Sebesta
<reprap><printer-building>
What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synchromesh cables instead of belts?
Ryan Carlyle
# What are the advantages/disadvantages of using synchromesh cables instead of belts?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-08)

Some 3d printers use synchromesh cables instead of belts. For example, the Deezmaker Bukito (<http://bukito3d.com/>) and a number of RepRap conversions.

[![http://christophergranz.com/?p=449](https://i.sstatic.net/WYTJJ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/WYTJJ.jpg)
*Photo from <http://christophergranz.com/?p=449>*

Are they significantly better than GT2 belts? What are the challenges?

**Tags:** reprap, printer-building

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/deltabot/9BFg8H5eq3o  
> **username_0**: Yeah, I saw that, just curious if anyone here had different thoughts. Terence's answer is a load of crap. (Metric firmware? Yeah right. Gcode coordinates are floating point so it's irrelevant whether the steps/mm is integer or not.)  
> **username_2**: I noticed that your question has not had much activity lately, are you still looking for an answer to this question? How might we be able to close some gaps?  
> **username_0**: Really need to get Whosa Whatsis or someone from Deezmaker to answer. Or I could just answer it myself.  
> **username_3**: One big advantage would be the ability to located the motors below the build chamber, thus removing a heat-sensitive component. In the future, this could enable higher build chamber temps, although since the syncromesh cable is currently spec'ed at no more than 80C that doesn't provide a lot of net gain.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-03-09. Score: 5

Looking at the specs for both the GT2 belt and the Synchromesh I'm very hesitant to recommend a Synchromesh over a belt.

The first thing that sticks out is that there are both error and cumulative error specifications for the Synchromesh. For a device like a 3D printer, I don't like the idea that of my axes can accumulate up to ±0.16 in. of error over 100 pitches (the pitch is between 0.12 in. and 0.25 in. so that is 12 to 25 in.).

Contrast this to a belt where the only way you have a cumulative error is if you skip a tooth and I think the winner is the GT2.

Looking at the non-cumulative pitch error both products are comparable but again the belt wins. For the Synchromesh we have an accuracy of ±0.002 in. versus ±0.0003(1) in. for a 2 mm GT2 belt and ±0.0012(1) in. for a 3 mm GT2 belt.

**Note:** I can't be certain about exact values for error since there are no numbers for the GT2 - only a stupid chart. I also have a hard time believing that error is not a function of total length for both the Synchromesh and the GT2 belt but I'm not the manufacturer. However, since both products are made by the same company I wouldn't be as concerned about them trying to oversell one product over the other.

*In conclusion, I don't see of any reason to choose a Synchromesh over a belt if your physical layout is compatible with both. As pointed out in the marketing material for the Synchromesh, it can be routed along 3 axes whereas a belt works best along a single axis. The Synchromesh seems to be a product designed for a very specific application...*

**Sources**

<http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Technical-Section-Timing.pdf>

<http://www.sdp-si.com/PDFS/Synchromesh-Cable-and-Attachment-Inch.pdf>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I've heard from people that use synchromesh that the cumulative pitch error doesn't actually cause any issues. They say the pitch is consistent and much tighter than the spec, so it doesn't cause any issues at normal printer scales.  
> **username_1**: @username_0, I don't doubt the product may perform better than specifications but choosing components based on "may perform better" does not seem like a wise decision unless there are other motivators. You asked "are they significantly better than GT2 belts?" I answered "not according to the specs".  
> **username_0**: It's a fine answer, I'm just pointing out that the people using its end to  think it's better than GT2, and it would be nice to talk about why that is.  
> **username_4**: @username_0 It's possibly a psychologic thing...  

---

