Solidoodle 3 and others adjustable anti-backlash setup for m5 z-rod upgrade

thingiverse

I just discovered a new approach to adding an adjustable anti-backlash nut to my m5 rod system that I've been itching to implement. Fortunately, it's relatively straightforward and functions beautifully so far. While playing around with some ideas, when the prints weren't turning out as expected, I tried a few different configurations until I stumbled upon something that worked perfectly. The next evening, I spent about an hour experimenting with this new setup without experiencing even the slightest failure or degradation. Essentially, there are two nuts, one with a washer, and a section of Nylon (Taulman Bridge specifically) acting as a lock washer. I connected it to my cordless drill and cycled through many scenarios, most being brief bursts at varying speeds, simulating how it will be subjected to in real-life applications. The nuts remained securely locked together even under multiple stress levels. If the setup becomes too loose – almost ridiculously so – the nut won't re-engage properly. Conversely, if it's over-tightened, it simply won't budge. Throughout this process, the lower nut never experienced any binding because it continued to tighten, which would be detrimental during a print job. This modification could easily be adapted to other 3D printers as well. The nuts I used have washers already integrated into their design, making things convenient. Specifically, I employed an 8mm main nut, allowing the hole for the stock 5/16-18 rod to remain clear. For the secondary nut below it, I utilized a 10mm size – but you can experiment with slightly different dimensions. A great benefit of this setup is that it remains adjustable even after installation.