Stage 02: Z-Axis

Written By: Makertech 3D
  • Comments: 18
  • Favorites: 0
  • Completions: 6

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

14

Time Required

00:40:00 - 01:00:00

Sections

1

Flags

0

Quiz

0

  1. Prepare four z-motor brackets as shown. Z-Motor Bracker

    • Prepare four z-motor brackets as shown.

    • Z-Motor Bracker

    • F608ZZ Bearing

    • M4 x 6mm

    Edit

    To me installing these bearings on the lead screws, and then securing them in place in Step 7 would make more sense.

    Chaotic Muses - Open Reply

    m4 x 8mm should be m4 x 6mm i believe ?

    caleb punshon - Open Reply

    Yes! Corrected.

    Makertech 3D -

  2. Secure onto the four z-motors an oldham coupling. Secure the coupling to the flat of the motor shaft Z-motors are the smaller NEMA 17 motors

    • Secure onto the four z-motors an oldham coupling.

    • Secure the coupling to the flat of the motor shaft

    • Z-motors are the smaller NEMA 17 motors

    • Secure to the motors 4x M3x55mm stand-offs.

    Edit

    The smaller opening on the oldham coupling goes onto the shaft. You’ll need to unscrew the positioning screws to get it to fit on the shaft, then it’ll securely tighten.

    Spencer K - Open Reply

    In the text NEMA 17 motors are mentioned but the smaller motors are the BQ ones. They have a shorter shaft that fits better to the image.

    Steve K - Open Reply

  3. Secure the four z-bracket assemblies to the frame with M5x8mm bolts and M5 T-nuts. Loosen the bolts holding the enclosure panel as the tolerance between it and these brackets is tight. Tighten again once brackets are secure. Loosen the bolts holding the enclosure panel as the tolerance between it and these brackets is tight. Tighten again once brackets are secure.

    • Secure the four z-bracket assemblies to the frame with M5x8mm bolts and M5 T-nuts.

    • Loosen the bolts holding the enclosure panel as the tolerance between it and these brackets is tight. Tighten again once brackets are secure.

    Edit

    1. The tolerances between these Z-brackets and the bottom panel of the enclosure (which I installed earlier in Step 6 of Stage 1) are extremely tight. I essentially had to detach the bottom panel, insert the Z-brackets and then reattach the bottom panel. Perhaps installation of the enclosure's bottom panel should be moved to follow this step.

    2. I think the note about ensuring the motor connectors face the rear of the machine might be more appropriate in the next step.

    Paul Abel - Open Reply

    +1 had to loosen the panel, install z brackets, retighten panel. Highly recommend that panel installation step moves to after this step

    Spencer K -

    My bottom panel did not fit properly once the Z-brackets were installed. I would assume that the brackets are more important to the operation of the printer than the bottom panel laying perfectly flush with them.

    Garrett Maddox -

  4. Fix the four z-motor assemblies to the brackets. M3 x 12mm Bolt

    • Fix the four z-motor assemblies to the brackets.

    • M3 x 12mm Bolt

    • Ensure the motors connectors face the rear of the machine.

    Edit

    It will be good on this stage to mentionne the direction of the connectors

    David PENOT - Open Reply

  5. Fix to the rails the Z-carriages with 4 M3x16mm bolts. Front Z-Carriage (Smaller)

    • Fix to the rails the Z-carriages with 4 M3x16mm bolts.

    • Front Z-Carriage (Smaller)

    • Rear Z-Carriage

    Edit

    Its easier to put lead screw nut in step 6 on the carriage arms before attaching to rails

    Kevin McGraw - Open Reply

  6. Fix a lead screw nut to each z-carriage. Lead Screw Nut

    • Fix a lead screw nut to each z-carriage.

    • Lead Screw Nut

    • M5 x 18mm Bolt

    • The set screw side of the nut should point upwards.

    Edit

    Two attachments won’t look like the picture as the lead screw nuts are all the same. I oriented with the slot on top for all attachments

    Spencer K - Open Reply

  7. Thread the four lead screws through the nuts and down into the couplings. Secure the lead screws to the couplings. Secure the lead screws to the couplings.

    • Thread the four lead screws through the nuts and down into the couplings.

    • Secure the lead screws to the couplings.

    Edit

  8. Prepare the lead screw brackets as shown. Note that the brackets are mirrored, you should have two types of each. Lead Screw Bracket

    • Prepare the lead screw brackets as shown.

    • Note that the brackets are mirrored, you should have two types of each.

    • Lead Screw Bracket

    • F608ZZ Bearing

    • M4 x 6mm Bolt

    • M5 x 10mm Bolt

    • M5 T-Nut

    Edit

  9. Fix the four lead screw bracket assemblies to the frame. Slide the bearing over the lead screw, leaving around 5mm protruding.

    • Fix the four lead screw bracket assemblies to the frame.

    • Slide the bearing over the lead screw, leaving around 5mm protruding.

    Edit

  10. Install the print platform as shown. Ensure the cables come out of the left side of the platform. M5 Shoulder Bolt Shim

    • Install the print platform as shown. Ensure the cables come out of the left side of the platform.

    • M5 Shoulder Bolt

    • Shim

    • We’ve identified that the shim may have been left out of some kits. Please don’t worry — this part is not critical to operation and can be safely omitted. If you prefer, a standard M6 washer can be used as a substitute.

    • Bed Spring

    • Spacer

    Edit

    I did not use a shim.

    Bleeder - Open Reply

    Appears the shim was possibly left out here. It's not critical and can be left out or an M6 washer can be used here if you have one.

    Makertech 3D - Open Reply

    no shims in mine either

    caleb punshon - Open Reply

    cant find Shim anywere

    can its still be installed with out it?

    marco - Open Reply

  11. Insert into the four lead screw nuts the grub screw, turn until any play between the lead screw and nut has been removed. Note, do not over tighten, the lead screw should still be able to rotate smoothly, over tightening can result in a z-motor stalling.

    • Insert into the four lead screw nuts the grub screw, turn until any play between the lead screw and nut has been removed.

    • Note, do not over tighten, the lead screw should still be able to rotate smoothly, over tightening can result in a z-motor stalling.

    Edit

    dint over tighten 3 are smooth but one is not

    marco - Open Reply

    Just added; see next step for alignment troubleshooting.

    Makertech 3D -

  12. If you find that one of the lead screws does not rotate smoothly during inspection, please follow the steps below to correct the issue:

    • If you find that one of the lead screws does not rotate smoothly during inspection, please follow the steps below to correct the issue:

    • Carefully loosen (do not remove) the bearing brackets at the top and bottom of the lead screw.

    • Rotate the lead screw now - it should be smoother.

    • Re-tighten the brackets.

    Edit

  13. Secure the Z Cable Relief Bracket to the frame. Z Cable Relief Bracket M5 x 10mm Bolt

    • Secure the Z Cable Relief Bracket to the frame.

    • Z Cable Relief Bracket

    • M5 x 10mm Bolt

    • M5 T-nut

    • Secure the bracket just under the joint in the far left corner of the frame as shown.

    Edit

  14. Cable tie the loom from the bed to the bracket.

    • Cable tie the loom from the bed to the bracket.

    • Leave around 50cm of slack.

    Edit
Finish Line

6 other people completed this guide.

Author

Makertech 3D

Member since: 3/9/18

54,995 Reputation

146 Guides authored

One Comment

You forgot this i think..

David PENOT - Open Reply

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