Linear Bearing Y Axis Carriage for ToM

thingiverse

ToM Y Axis Carriage for Linear bearings LMB6UU (3/8") This is really just a little project that I've been fiddling with over the last few months when I have a moment to spare. Purely for my own enjoyment (yes, I know, I should get out more), but you are welcome to try if you wish. I'm sure there are a whole raft of engineers ready to tell me that this is wrong in so many ways and I look forward to being enlightened by their candid observations and everyone's improvements & modifications. For anyone who'd like to try it, it really is a work-in-progress and although it works quite happily at 50mm/s feed rate, it is not yet what I would consider finished. This version requires an X carriage of its own because I've centred the X pulley. As it sits lower on the rods, it gives you > 126mm on the Z axis, so you'll need to place your HBP very high to stop the Z stage falling off the lead screw. (I'll make it ride higher in the next version which will give the stepper more clearance over the bed as well). I should have moved the Y limit switch but to save any hassle I added a long arm to the centre section that operates it in its current position. I also think the X limit switch should be moved to the side of the carriage to clear the pulley bolt. I ended up using 4 bearings although I started out with 3. The inertia of the motor side is too great for the bearings on the right to stop the carriage twisting, I think I may try moving the motor to the right and go back to 3 in a later version. I also intend to move the bearings closer together and remove more material from the base of the carriage to make it lighter. I'll post some photos of it installed when I get a chance. Instructions o Print the 5 plates. o Push the bearings into place, you'll need 7 (3+4). o Fit the HBP to the X carriage (right at the top of the bolts) o Place the end rod supports on the ends of the left and right sections. o Attach the motor to the left end. o insert the 4 captive nuts into the tensioner/limit switch support. o Attach the belt tensioner to the right end using 2 M3x30mm bolts. o Attach the limit switch to the right end using 2 M3x12mm bolts. o Place the X pulley belt and pulley wheel into the tensioner and drop in an M4 bolt I need to get one the right length and add two nuts, but the current one works at the moment. o Insert the X rods through the X carriage bearings o Slide the belt into the belt coupler on the X carriage o Push the X rods into the end supports o Hold the centre section in place and slide on the couplers. o Place the pulley belt over the motor and tighten the belt gently o place whole carriage into machine o Slide the Y belt into the belt coupler on the Y carriage o Insert the YRods from the front through the bearings. o Attach all cables. o Make sure the carriages activate the end stops on the X and Y axis o calibrate as normal (taking care to see that the Z stage does not drop off the lead screw) If this is too confusing, let me know and I'll post some step-by-step photos.