So close... one last(?) mistake

Post date: Feb 7, 2017 2:38:43 AM

I once again spent far too long in the shop today (if there is such a thing), trying to get my new Z axis all put together. I had to fit the bearing blocks (both to the Z axis backbone and to one of the bearings I neglected to account for differing in size from the other), drill holes to attach the stepper mount, and as it turns out, the M6 screw holes on the linear bearings are SLIGHTLY undersized for standard M6 screws, so I had to turn the heads down on the lathe.

All that out of the way, here's what I got:

Here's the part that moves up and down. -Z is pointing away from the camera. The grooves in the right image are for mounting the spindle clamps in.

Same thing, but with the fixed piece of the axis. You can see where the X axis leadscrew attaches, as well as the stepper mount.

Comparison to the old back plate... it's a little thicker.

Parts mounted on the Z axis fixed plate. This had to be disassembled, since you can't actually get it attached to the machine if you assemble it in this order, but everything fit together nicely

Same thing, but without the rails.

The fit is REALLY nice between the two pieces- the rails don't bind, and there's clearance between the various pieces.

...And then we get to here:

(This is the X axis ballnut and the new Z axis plate you're seeing- you can see one of the X axis rails and part of a bearing block at the top of the image)

Apparently the previous Z axis plate was like this as well- not sure how I didn't notice or break something. Anyway, there isn't enough of a relief in the plate for the X axis ballnut. So it's back to the mill tomorrow to deepen it and THEN I should be able to put this on the machine and be back in business.