I’ve been in the process of replacing my z-axis with the CBeam Linear Actuator Bundle set from OpenBuilds. Its pretty much all set to install except that I don’t particularly like the height at which the Maslow z-motor wold be sitting (atop the 250mm tower). I can go that route no problem but if I could somehow come up with a plan to set the z-motor lower down then I think I’d have a winner. I know that currint the rail at about 150mm and re-drilling and re-tapping is an option and I may end up going that route. But for now, I’m looking at options.
On the OpenBuilds website I came across their Reduction/Stand Off Plate Set which would essentially convert it to a pulley system. It appears to have been built as an upgrade to their Mini Mll as a z-axis upgrade.
My thoughts are to mount it on the bottom of the CBeam rail, between the sled and the CBeam, using spacers for clearance. The Maslow z-motor would be oriented just as it is now, spindle down, and I would enclose that underspace in acrylic to keep dust & debris out of the belts. Just curious as to any thoughts on this.
it’s probably best to leave the motor/belt on the top to keep it clean, trying
to encose it seems like it’s going to cause lots of grief (and interfere with
dust collection)
Okay, that makes sense. Let me show my ignorance here and maybe I won’t have it for long. With the z-motor oriented downward it turns left or right as needed. If I invert it, oriented upward to do pulleys, then it will be rotating just the opposite, right? Is that something I would correct in the firmware or am I missing a GC setting that would take care of it?
that stand off plate is expensive and the holes are for stepper motors, not the dc encoder that comes with the maslow so you would have to make a custom reducer.
I was hoping that I would be able to approach the motor mount issue by using the existing mounting bracket and some t-nuts & screws to attach it to the CBeam. This would solve that problem and I wouldn’t need the Reduction/Standoff Plate. It’s only $9.49 plus shipping but if there is no need, then there is no need.
Then I’ll need to attach two pulleys: one with an 8mm bore for the 8mm lead screw and the other for the z-motor. I should be able to use these two pulleys or am missing something?
Plus the 3GT (GT2-3M) belt.
Also want to say thanks for pointing to the Bulkman3D website. I’ll be checking them out!
You guys are awesome with sharing your know-how and insights. It’s just one more reason that I love the MaslowCNC!
I know it’s not the cheapest option out there, but at some point my time is worth a bit more than fiddling with parts from all over the world, etc. I liked that this was a nice cohesive setup. The only fiddly bit was just drilling out a piece of sheet aluminum to mount the motor to. Only took a few minutes though and mounted to the standoff place pretty easily.
That’s great to know and to hear! I’m like you - I don’t mind tinkering but if I can get something pre-made that fits the bill and looks good to boot, I’m in! And I’ve got the aluminum to make the mount. So great! That’s fantastic! And I appreciate your quick response!
Mike
Got the kit and it has gone together well… except the pulley with the 8mm bore clamp. Can’t seem to make the clamp collar budge and so far the pulley just sits atop the lead screw unsecured, which I know won’t work. Did you have any issues with the 8mm bore clamp?
Their assembly video covers some separately purchased parts and not the kit so I’m thinking apples and oranges. The video has no audio and is in fast-forward mode. But in the video the lead screw miraculously lengthens by an inch and he appears to simply screw the pulley onto the lead screw. Like I said, apples and oranges. Also going to see what I can find out from them.
The pulley looks pretty much like the photo on their parts store website. One thing I did notice is that the set screw bottoms out and that’s where I hit the “didn’t budge” thing. I tried two or three times to squeeze it shut, or at least a little closer, with some small vise grips, but once the set screw bottoms out that’s it.
I ended up squeezing the four flanges of the pulley together until it fits snugly on the lead screw, but as of right now the set screw on the clamp
is bottomed and the clamp is loose, albeit wedged up against the pulley which is pretty tight. I don’t expect that to last. At least I got to get the rest of it all together, including fabricating the adapter plate for the z-axis motor. Now I’ll go back and try a bigger hammer, so to speak
Just for the record, I went back to it, removed the belt and then used a bigger visegrip to squeeze the collar shut. It wouldn’t take it all the way but this time the set screw caught on the back side and n ow we’re tight. I think that maybe the back threads were stripped or never got tapped. Anyway, all is well now. I appreciate your responses and your insight.
If the one over the lead screw is the one with the issue, check to make sure the holes in the gear/sleeve are aligned with the holes in the collar, they can rotate apart if the set screws are not all way way in during shipping. To fix this, You will need a slot that allows the geared section to slide, but is blocked by the collar, in some metal that is sturdy enough to push on. Simply place the collar in a slot with the gear below the slot and push on the inner part of the sleeve (with the set screws removed). The gear and sleeve should slide out of the collar, and you can rotate it so that the holes in the sleeve line up with the tapped holes in the collar, and push together again.
Thanks for the insight! The issue seemed to be with the collar set screw threads. The set screw wanted to bottom out before the collar pulled together enough. I backed the set screw all the way out, tried again, same result. I finally put the vise grip to each side of the collar and just gave it a slight squeeze past where it had been stopping, screwed in the set screw and then it held it. When I disassembled/reassembled on the sled I made sure both collar and gear could be removed and put back together. Not a problem. Thanks for your suggestion, @Jatt - I’ll keep that info handy for next time I do a build like this!
