Laser engraver - using timing belt as gear rack

grabcad

This is my design of a new easy build laser engraver. Please check the video for instructions. All the brackets of this machine can be cut easily using a 3018 CNC or any other machine. I tried a new concept to install a timing belt by sticking it to a solid surface and use it as a gear rack.At the end of the build, I wanted to recycle the control board of my 3018 CNC that only has 3 axis output. I only need X and Y axis for this machine and 2 stepper motor drivers for the Y axis. This mean I needed to make the Z axis a mirror clone of the Y axis. The axis cloning with the GRBL source code is more advanced and difficult. I found a much easier way by cutting the 3 pins direction, step and enable on the stepper motor of the Z axis. Then I soldered 3 wires from the corresponding pins from the Y axis and the Z axis now is a clone of the Y axis.Lastly, during the testing phase, I noticed the low tolerance of the linear cheap bearing blocks. To fix this, I bought a few more of the LM8UU linear bearing and install 2 of them on each bearing pillow block. The improvement was substantial, almost no play can be noticed on the axis and the image came out much sharper and clear.Links to buy parts:- 8mm linear rods (need 8 rods):https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32765021606.html- locking rings for 8mm rods (need at least 12) :https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32830905214.html- SC8UU bearing blocks (6):https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32994998368.html- Timing belt:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32846763201.html- Extra linear bearings:https://www.ebay.com/itm/LM8UU-LM12UU-Linear-Ball-Bearing-Bushings-Motion-Machinery-For-CNC-12Pcs/312719422089