MakerGear Forum

Was I hallucinating or was there a two piece plastic adjustment for the Zstop bolt? I'm having a heck of a time adjusting the screw and I thought I saw one that was two pieces to tighten by hand.

I see this one that attaches to the bottom. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:105616
Is it worth adding both of these or one of these?

Also can someone explain why I need the z axis stay? http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:53886
It says that it holds the platform up while the steppers are off? When I press the 'disable motors" the bed doesn't fall, it just allows me to manually move it. Can someone explain please.

Thanks

The newer machines don't need the Z Axis stay. The bed stays up no matter what.

naturalstate720 wrote:Was I hallucinating or was there a two piece plastic adjustment for the Zstop bolt? I'm having a heck of a time adjusting the screw and I thought I saw one that was two pieces to tighten by hand.

I see this one that attaches to the bottom. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:105616
Is it worth adding both of these or one of these?

Also can someone explain why I need the z axis stay? http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:53886
It says that it holds the platform up while the steppers are off? When I press the 'disable motors" the bed doesn't fall, it just allows me to manually move it. Can someone explain please.

Thanks

I posted my method here > viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1998&start=30

3dPrintingMD wrote:The newer machines don't need the Z Axis stay. The bed stays up no matter what.

Really? Wonder what changed? Are you sure it's not just lack of lubrication?

Yeah very sure, this puppy is well lubed. It never stayed up, I've been wondering that since day 1. I've seen so many Z stay things, and I'm like, I just dont get it.

3dPrintingMD wrote:The newer machines don't need the Z Axis stay. The bed stays up no matter what.

3dPrintingMD wrote:Yeah very sure, this puppy is well lubed. It never stayed up, I've been wondering that since day 1. I've seen so many Z stay things, and I'm like, I just dont get it.

I'm confused by your contradicting posts

-Steve

jsc wrote:Wonder what changed?

That "free fall" depends so critically on having those guide rods be exactly parallel that it's a wonder any Z platforms fall freely. The Z platform support is overconstrained: one of the linear bearings should be a pair of pinch rollers clamping its rod to prevent rotation around the other rod.

The Z-axis leadscrew adds yet another constraint, which is why it needs a little bit of slop around the top bearing. After I replaced the Z motor, the platform no longer fell freely; it moved smoothly with the motor unplugged, but had enough restraining force to hold it in place.

As long as it's not binding, life will remain good...

sthone wrote:

3dPrintingMD wrote:The newer machines don't need the Z Axis stay. The bed stays up no matter what.

3dPrintingMD wrote:Yeah very sure, this puppy is well lubed. It never stayed up, I've been wondering that since day 1. I've seen so many Z stay things, and I'm like, I just dont get it.

I'm confused by your contradicting posts

-Steve

My bad, the bed stays up. It never falls down.

So it just stays up after a print is done too?

Both mine drop like rocks so I use Jule's end script to bring them down slowly after a print... if yours does stay up after the print you could probably use a modified version of that script too if you don't all ready. (see #10 under "The Settings:" HERE)

-Steve

Yes, after the print is over, the head just moves to the side, and the bed stays right where it ended.

I'll look now.