Ender-3 Locking Z-Axis Speed Knob

thingiverse

With steppers disabled, the Ender's Z axis leadscrew turns easily. It's easy enough that the carriage will drop toward the bed under its own weight. To prevent that you need a Z axis lock. But you have to remember to disengage the lock before printing. I never remember that sort of thing. So here we have a lock that will automatically disengage when printing starts. It's combined with a knob for raising and lowering the carriage. (It's a speed knob because you can put your finger in one of the round holes to spin it quickly.) ### Stabilizer A stabilizer is required. This lock is designed to fit the most popular stabilizer: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3370355 If you prefer another, I'm not judging. There's a STEP file and you can go your own way. When installed, the leadscrew end should be level with the top of the stabilizer. ### Printing Both parts print with their flat sides down, with no support. ### Installation The lock slider should fit over the top of the stabilizer and move easily. If there is drag, it's probably corner over-extrusion where the "PULL LOCK" tab meets the body. The knob screws onto the top of the leadscrew and should be a tight fit. Hold onto the coupling at the bottom of the screw to turn it. It may help to put the (non-ball) end on an Allen wrench into one of the coupling screws to give something to hold onto. The vanes on the knob should fit into the opening on the lock slider. If you have trouble making the knob fit, try scaling it in your slicer, in X and Y, so the inside of the screw hole measures 6.75mm. ### Use Pull the slider towards you to engage the lock. To disengage, push it back. The lock will disengage automatically when the carriage rises about half a turn. ### Revision History * 5/30/2020 - Small tweaks, and removed "WIP" flag.