30mm Stepper Bracket Raise for Wanhao Duplicator i3, Cocoon Create, and Maker Select

thingiverse

After installing AzzA's Z Brace http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:921948 and Z extension brackets http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1444979 I had the idea to increase usable Z axis even more. At first I planned rotating the X-axis brackets around but then decided to just lift the stepper motors up. I printed the parts with 0.2 layer height, 0.8 walls and 60% infill. Insert rivet nuts before mounting (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X74FNVW/). Regular nuts should work as well. I need to find a shorter rivet nut for the screw behind the stepper motor. Currently I left that one out. You'll need some extra M3x20 and M4x20 screws as well. Install: first install AzzA's Z Brace and Z extensions. start on one side first, raise the upper bracket holding the rod up "one notch". Use nuts or lock nuts for the lower 2 bolts. raise the extruder up about 100mm disconnect stepper cable remove 5 bolts from front of frame turn the printer on its side give both stepper motor cables some extra slack remove the 2 bolts connecting the bracket to the y-frame turn the threaded rod to allow the stepper bracket to move up in the frame without twisting the x rods. Make sure the z-rod stays in the upper bracket. screw the stepper motor to the frame (upper 2 holes on frame now line up with lower 2 holes on bracket) insert the printed part and connect top screw with stepper mount, then 2 lower screws to y-frame insert an M3x20 screw to connect the cross brace with the printed part (it helps to tap the hole first) repeat on other side don't forget to connect the stepper motor cables again align the x-axis using http://www.thingiverse.com/make:289720 blue print the setup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaroNfMVE4M change the "z max length" value in the EEPROM from 180mm to 210mm (I used Octoprint with EEPROM Repetier Editor Plugin) carefully raise the x-axis to the top and check for clearance if you have a Cobra fan it might now hit the stepper bracket (mine did). Once I add a glass bed it might clear it. Otherwise tape a bit of plastic to the x-axis bracket so the x-axis end stop microswitch will engage sooner (verify max travel to the other side) print something tall ;-)