The Meticulous Z-Axis

That’s strange, but here’s something to try. The ‘Touch Zero’ button sends

"G20 G90 G38.2 Z-" + plungeDepth + " F1 G20 G90 M02"

where plungeDepth is taken from the Advanced setting “Max touch Z-axis plunge”. Would you try changing the sign of that and let us know if that makes it run correctly?

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Could you also perhaps start a thread with info/instructions on this touch zero of which you speak? Sounds intriguing and I would love to add it to my machine. :slightly_smiling_face:

Yup that did the trick. I put in a negative value and now it goes the correct direction. Thank you.

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All of the info is in here. If you update to the current software and firmware it is now integrated into the z-axis command menu so you don’t have to use one of your precious macro buttons for it any more.

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When I try to view the model it just has the rails. I can’t find the actual object. Would you mind sending the file to me directly?

Here’s what I was looking for: Looking for bit swapping tips has the pin out photos.
Thank you!

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I’ve opened a PR in the Firmware repository that will make setting the Advanced setting “Max touch Z-axis plunge” negative unnecessary when “Z-Axis Pitch” is negative. Keep an eye open on the next version of Firmware - if that PR should get merged, then you’ll want to undo that change (set “Max touch Z-axis plunge” positive) to have the correct “Touch Zero” operation.

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Here are the files I printed. If I can’t find my spindle clamps in F360 somewhere one of us will just have to update them again “for the record.” Apologize for that. I do a lot of things in the middle of the night (like right now) half asleep.

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@MeticulousMaynard, at a glance I couldn’t see what licence you may have released this project under, I thought I would ask since I have been posting stuff on thingiverse out of convenience. It is set to the default (CC Attribution) right now but I think we should go with public domain dedication. Your call, obviously. Thanks, and let me know,

Quinn

It doesn’t matter terribly to me. I never changed it from the default. I designed the new sled for the community, so giving it public domain dedication is fine for me. I’d rather not have someone else making money off of my idea, though. I don’t know too much about the legal aspects of each of the different dedications.

We should probably add your stl files to the community garden page, though, so people can also get them there.

What an awesome design! In the 3d model the ring is mounted at the maximum extent of the L brackets. The standard z axis L brackets were not designed for lateral forces and look somewhat flimsy. From an accuracy point of view, minimizing flex and maximizing rigidity should be the goal. Using beefier L brackets, and/or mounting the ring closer to the sled would achieve the goal. Hence the question about minimum ring to sled stand off distance and opinion about L bracket rigidity.

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I recently bit the bullet and ordered parts to create my version of the meticulous z axis. I wanted to be able to order all my parts from Amazon so I made some modifications to the list. I ordered a 10mm wide belt and 16T pulleys to match. Here are the links FYI.

16-Tooth Timing Pulley for Stepper Motor

Loop Belt Timing Pulley Tools 10mm Wide

Lead Screw, Bearing, Rod, and etc. kit.

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I have recently completed the upgrade of my Z axis using mostly the @MeticulousMaynard design. I still need to find the right weights and set balance correctly, but it moves wonderfully.

The open viewport is fantastic and tool bit changes are so much easier. I had problems with the wood clamps so I added hose clamps to the outer rim and this solved the problem.

Thought I would share a few pictures.










The bottom HDPE slide just before installing.

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Just wanted to thank this group for all the work. I was able to build one almost exactly per the plans at the time I started. I did run into the problem mentioned earlier of the wooden clamps interfering with the ring system. My solution is similar to one given, although I put 2 5" 5/16" inch bolts through both clamps. I felt this would be more stable

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Here is a closeup of the clamp solution.

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Looking good! I always like seeing the solution that people come up with for the issues they run into.

Not sure you’re going to want to make new clamps, but I had modified the spindle clamp design to make it work better with the ring system. They’re the ones circled in green below:

image

It looks like you’re using high-quality plywood, but it still may also be wise to machine the new ones from solid wood rather than plywood. There’s been some discussion in this thread about the voids in plywood reducing the strength of the clamps, which could result in them failing. This would be even more an issue with the new design, which is thinner than the old one.

Happy chip-making!

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Thanks for the input. I was going to go with the new clamp design, but saw someone else had some trouble with that as well. Probably from using cheaper plywood. As you noted, we are using very high grade plywood, and there are no voids in it. I considered 3-D printing the new design, but my printer wasn’t big enough. We just got a new printer, so I will go that route if this fails. For now it feels very secure.

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I think I already know the answer but would appreciate outside input. Is it required to install the dust chute prior to assembley of the wood parts?

Yes, with the design of the dust chute, it is required to install that to the base before attaching the spine for the Z-axis.

I was just looking through my instructions in the Community Garden for assembly and realized they’re terribly out of date. I will need to fix that, hopefully sooner rather than later. I’ve never expressed the order of operations here, so I can see where it would be confusing.

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I’m sorry, my post was not meant as a complaint. Just prioritizing, I will need to set my new 3D printer up before I finish the Meticulous Z axis is all. Personally I am grateful for the work you have put in and shared!

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