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Z axis top stabilizers

Discussion in 'Mods and Upgrades' started by Electrocutioner, Aug 4, 2013.

  1. Electrocutioner

    Electrocutioner New Member

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    Ive been noticing ridges on my prints between layers. I decided to print up a set of stabilizers for the top of the Z axis rod. It attaches via a 4-40 bolt through the side of the case or double sided foam tape.

    made a world of difference on my machine. Very smooth sides, barely visible layers (250 micron layers)

    http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:126873
     
    2 people like this.
  2. da9l

    da9l Member

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    Oh, interesting. Could you post an image with the stabiliziers mounted?
     
  3. CAMBO3D

    CAMBO3D New Member

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    I was thinking about doing this too because I was worried that my layers would start to get misaligned approaching the top of the z axis but I haven't had any issues in my prints so far. My layer alignment is spot on.

    do you have before and after photos of your prints?
     
  4. Electrocutioner

    Electrocutioner New Member

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    Image posted to thingiverse. Also added a stabilizer for the other side. Made a major difference in my machines printing quality, however it restricts the machine to a 170mm z build height. Might install longer rods to regain lost height.
     
  5. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    I've been pretty impressed with my layer alignment below 40mm/s, which really isn't too bad. But I think something like this would help at higher speeds when the shaking start.

    How are you securing it to your case? Are you gluing it or drilling and fastening?

    This is a great idea, but it probably should come with a warning label for members new to printing.
    If you don't get this absolutely perfect, you could end up skewing or binding up the z-axis, and get sloped parts so I would put this in the 'get your machine running well at low speeds before trying any mods' category.
     
  6. Electrocutioner

    Electrocutioner New Member

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    Yea I should have mentioned attachments. I used 4-40 screws through case with carrage at top.

    Im running at 120mm/s reliably with acceleration profiling. Belts start to flex too much faster than that.
    Been musing a capstan cable drive to fix that.
     
  7. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    So, you got everything positioned and temporarily secured (taped?) then drilled through base of the support and the housing?

    120mm/s sounds great! Can you share your acceleration settings? Also, before you popped in the stabilizers, how fast were you able to run reliably?
     
  8. Electrocutioner

    Electrocutioner New Member

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    Taping wasn't really necessary, just careful drilling. Rest is correct.

    still tuning the acceleration settings but currently playing with 1200mm/s^2

    before stabilizers, maybe 30mm/s
     
  9. David Mortlock

    David Mortlock Active Member

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    @ electocutioner "but currently playing with 1200mm/s^2"

    per second squared? That is going some
     
  10. CAMBO3D

    CAMBO3D New Member

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    while your printer may be able to move at that speed, your limited at how fast your extruder will extrude plastic with current technology and its know where near 1200mm.

    I still would love to see before and after photos of his prints with this mod. :cool:
     
  11. tonycstech

    tonycstech Active Member

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    6 people like this.
  12. da9l

    da9l Member

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    Wow, beautiful!

    Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
     
  13. Billm

    Billm Member

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    since the movement of concern is the x axis, then only one post would need to be supported.
     
  14. tonycstech

    tonycstech Active Member

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    Correct. You can pick what ever side you want.

    You can drive a car on 3 wheels, but 4 is better :)
     
  15. Ziggy

    Ziggy Moderator
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