Stability mod part 1

I finally build Masos stability mod (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:171418).

I replaced the printed arm with 40x20mm rectangular aluminum profile and used a simple L bracket to connect it to the carriage (grey). The wobble is gone now, but the parts were not printed very precise and therefore the carriage doesn't slide very well on the straight rods. I'm waiting for normal linear bearings to arrive.

Fine thread Z-axis

I noticed some gaps between layers in all my prints which reoccurred every 1.5mm I quickly assumed that this had something to do with the lead screw/ z-axis because 1.41mm is the pitch of the 5/16" threaded rod.
(See here for details)

I went out and tried to find threaded rod with a pitch of 1mm not only because M8 fits better in our coupler but also because there is much less play between nut and rod. That turned out to be surprisingly hard because even though fine thread rod was easy to find, the nuts weren´t. Everything except a standard nut is somehow not produced.

With half hex rivet nuts and flanged hex nuts out of the game I ordered normal M8 nuts and planned on upgraded my z axis with kkronyaks Floating Motor Z-Axis. As a first step I wanted only to change the part which connects to the bed carriage, ripped my machine apart and noticed that the rod mount does´t have the same width as the original metal mounts.

But then I had a stroke (of genius). Since I have now 100 M8 fine thread nuts I have some space for trial and error experimentation. So I dremeld me some nuts to fit in the holes of the original mount.

At least I managed now to get the fine thread into my machine and when I put it back together I print all parts of the Floating Mount, because the 4 screws in the diamond shape promise much more stability for the bed as the original pattern with only 2. 

1st successful ghost print

I´m sitting here without filament which is frustrating but gives me time to check out all details.

For example: I discussed the average temperature the stepper motors should be running in the eventorbot forum and it turns out they are supposed to run at 50-80C!

Also I was worried because there had been videos of other peoples builds in which the printer was jerking around and it looked like it would fall apart any moment.

At the moment I loaded and sliced this calibration cube and the printer behaves just fine. It relatively loud but the whole frame behaves very stable.

We have lift off!

After a little scare with the wrong polarity at the power supply switch, the printer is now moving!

All endstop switches work, the extruder heats up correctly, the glue holding the resistor doesn't start to burn, the extruder extrudes in both directions and the motors home correctly.

Frameworks: done

That looks like some proper welding!

We now have 2 tack welds per side, very solid looking.

Z-Axis looking good

Everything starts to fit in its place.

I fixed the coupling from the motor to the threaded rod with electrical tape in spite someone mentioning that it could melt. If the motor should get so hot that even the coupling heats up we have a whole new range of problems.
Also someone mentioned that the whole weight of the printbed rests on the coupling and it is actually quite heavy. Maybe we´ll find a way connect carriage rods to the frame .

Firmware puzzles

I managed to get the modified Sprinter firmware running. I´m a bit dispointed the "it doesn´t blink" like the standard Arduino kits but I think but at least it does the serious printer work!

Painting as pastime

As predicted painting myself turns out to be cheaper and finishing the gantries is a nice pastime while waiting on the frame. I´m itching for the first opportunity to assemble the frame!

It´s growing

We´re making some progress. All non-frame related parts are assembled. Hoping the welded frame comes tomorrow.

Trouble in Paradise

There are two little issues at the moment.


1) One of the tack welds on the frame didn´t survive the transport.

I discussed solutions in this thread.

It is suggested we go to any repair garage and get some reinforcement welds. This should be solved easily.


2) The hotbed upgrades wasn´t delivered. So we´re missing the heating element and our power supply is also the weaker version. I´m already in contact with the creator to get the upgrade.

Baby is here

and it looks gorgeous.

We will be doning an in depth unboxing later.