New Z-Axis for RatRig V-Core

thingiverse

26 April 2019: Added the BedToACME Block I forgot to upload. This thing is a rebuild for the Z-Axis of the RatRig V-Core kit. The original Z-Axis mechanism was not sturdy enough for me so I created a new one. At the moment the new Z-Axis is active and I am very happy with the result, for just 60 euros in total I now have a sturdy Z-Axis with auto leveling. The used materials are 4 x 12 mm hardened rods (HRC 60 ) with G6 tolerance. Rods length is 42 cm and 4 x LMK12LUU bearings. By re-using the 2020 extrusion from the original Z-Axis I only needed to buy 1 meter of 2020. I have chosen to put the connect the bed at a lower point by creating a extended LMK12LUU mount, but you can change it depending on the depth of the hotend. I use a Duet Ethernet board and I changed the Z-Axis movement from a double Z-axis on one driver to two separate stepper drivers. By changing the leveling G-Code one of the axis is now automatically leveled before every print with a deviation after adjustment of just several thousands of a millimeter. To make sure the bed leveling of the other axis and in general is stable I re-used the original fixtures with the well known heavy duty yellow springs and my total deviation of the bed in all directions is nothing more then 0.1 mm and that's automatically compensated by the Duet board. BOM: - 2 meter 12 mm rods (hardened rods HRC 60 with G6 tolerance) - 4 x LMK12LUU bearings (Make sure you have a good tolerance and no cheap china ones) - 4 x Yellow heavy duty springs - 4 x 5 hole corner plates with bolts and 2020 frame nuts (Used below the bed) - 4 x 5 hole Corner or standard connection plates to attach the upper 2020 for the top rod clamp. - Several M5 nuts and bolts to attach the clamps to the frame. If you decide to use my remix you can use the two stepper way as I did but keep in mind that when you have a Duet board and a DueX you can use 3 stepper to do a full automatic X/Y leveling. Have fun and happy printing.