Z-axis

• Version: 3.3

Parts for the Z-axis of the motion system, made from aluminum parts milled in a CNC machine.

Download a zip file containing all the model files. The total amount of each part that should be made is in the BOM.

Here is the complete Bill of materials (, ) for this guide.

Tools and Materials

Tools:

• 3D Printer (x1)
• CNC Router (x1)
• M3 Tap (x1)
• M4 Tap (x1)

Materials:

• 8mm Aluminum Sheet (x1)
• PLA Filament 1.75mm (x1)

Parts

• Axis guides:
  • M5 x 25mm Screw (x4)
  • M5 Hex Nut (x4)
  • 2020 V-Wheels (x2)
  • 2020 V-Wheels Smooth (x2)
  • Eccentric Spacer ID5 L6 (x2)
  • Spacer ID5 L6 (x2)
• Attachment to X-axis carriage:
  • M4 x 20mm Screw (x2)
• Z-axis actuator:
  • Z actuator aluminum base (x1) (source/Z-BASE.step)
  • M3 x 16mm Screw (x5)
  • Z stepper base (x1) (source/Z-ST-BASE-A.stl)
  • M3 x 10mm Screw (x4)
  • Z pulley base (x1) (source/Z-ST-BASE-B-endstop.stl)
  • M3 Hex Nut (x5)
  • Pulleys, wheels, and axles:
    • Belt guides:
      • M5 Screw 50mm (x2)
      • M5 Hex Nut (x4)
      • 2020 V-Wheels Smooth (x2)
    • Main pulley:
      • GT2 Belt 6x600mm (x1)
      • 5x75mm Steel Rod (x1)
      • 625ZZ Bearing (x2)
      • M3 x 8mm Screw (x4)
      • M3 Hex Nut (x4)
      • GT2 16T Pulley ID5 (x1)
    • Reduction pulleys (1:5):
      • GT2 16T Pulley ID5 (x1)
      • GT2 80T Pulley (x1)
      • GT2 Belt 6x200mm Closed (x1)
      • M5 Washer (x4)
• Z-axis motor:
  • NEMA 17 Stepper Motor (x1)
  • NEMA 17 Cable 1000mm (x1)
• Z-axis profile:
  • 2040 V-Slot Profile 470mm (x1), M3 tapped near the end of one of the "40" slots.
  • Top GT2 belt mount:
    • M5 x 16mm Screw (x2)
    • Z belt top base (x1) (source/CAR-Z-BELT-MOUNT.V2.stl)
    • M3 Hex Nut (x2) (note: for the tool-changer cable guide base).
    • Zip Ties (x1)
    • Top-side GT2 belt lock (x1) (source/GT2-LOCK-SLOT-V2.stl)
    • Top-side GT2 belt lock lid (x1) (source/GT2-LOCK-SLOT-V2-LID.stl)
  • Bottom GT2 belt mount:
    • Z belt bottom clip (x1) (source/GT2-LOCK-2020-SLIDE.stl)
    • M3 x 10mm Conical Head Screw (x1)
• Limit-switch:
  • MakerBot Endstop Lever Z (x1) (source/endstop-pivot-trigger.stl)
  • MakerBot Endstop Cover Z (x1) (source/ENDSTOP-COVER-Z-V3.stl)
  • M3 Separators 6.5mm (x2) (source/SEP_M3_L6.5.stl)
  • M3 x 25mm Screw (x2)
  • M3 Hex Nut (x2)
  • M3 Washer (x2)
  • M4 Drop-In Nut 2020 (x1)
  • M4 x 6mm Set screw (x1)
  • MakerBot Endstop (x1)
  • MakerBot Endstop Cable 1000mm (x1)
• Cable management:
  • Base for Z cables (x1) (source/ XZ-CABLE-BASE-x2-TILT.stl)
  • M3 x 16mm Screw (x2)
  • M3 Hex Nut (x2)

Variants - TODO: MOVE ABOVE

Improved Z-axis actuator: easier assembly, uses less parts, can be 3D-printed.

Requires new attachment points on the X-axis carriage in X-axis Carriage HE v1.6 (see X-axis part variants).

• Z-axis actuator parts:
  • Z-axis actuator parts (x1) (source/Z-PULLEY-BASE-PARTS-v2.stl)
• Hall-effect limit switch:
  • Hall-effect sensor base Z (x1) (source/CAR-X-v1.5-HE-Endstop-Z.stl).
  • Magnet holder for 2020 slots (x1) (source/MAGNET-HOLDER-2020.stl)
  • A3144 hall-effect sensor module (x1)
  • D5xL2 cylindrical magnet (x2)
  • M3 Hex Nut (x1)
  • M3 x 6mm Conical Head Screw (x1)