¶ Step 1 - Prepare the following parts
- 1x T-Slot extrusion 40120 - 250mm
- 3x M12x25 Countersink screws
- 3x M12 Washer
- 3x M12x25 Cap Head Screw
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - Z-Axis Bottom 10mm
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - Z-Axis Top 10mm
¶ Step 2 - Z lower plate
- T-Slot extrusion 40120 - 502mm
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - Z-Axis Bottom 10mm
- 3x M12x25 Countersink screws
- Both plates must be facing upwards.
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - Z-Axis Top 10mm
- 3x M12 Washer
- 3x M12x25 Cap Head Screw
¶ Step 3 - Prepare the following parts
- 2x Linear Rail - MGN15 250mm + 2 x MGN15C carriage
- 12x M3x16 Cap Head screws
- 12x 4040 Drop-in T-Nut - M3
- 2x align_40120_mgn15 printed part
¶ Step 4 - Unpack & test the MGN15 linear rails
- The linear rails are supplied with a protective oil coating on them. It is strongly recommended to prepare your work surface with paper towels and to wear disposable gloves.
- Paper Towels
- Linear Rail
- With the rail still on the absorbent paper towels, carefully and slowly move the carriage from one end of the rail to the other
- Small changes in resistance are normal, but the carriage becoming very hard to push, or binding completely are not
- If the carriage does not move smoothly, or binds completely, refer to the Linear Rail Troubleshooting Guide
- The linear rail carriages are not interchangeable. Do not try to use a carriage on a different linear rail than the one it was supplied with.
- Check this guide if one or more carriages don't move smoothly.
¶ Step 5 - Assemble the Y MGN15 linear rails
- Do not allow the linear rail carriages to leave the end of the rail at any point
- MGN15 Linear Rail
- Insert an M3x16 cap head screw in each of the holes on the linear rail
- Loosely thread a 4040 T-Nut on to each of the M3x16 screws
- Repeat these instructions for the second linear rail
¶ Step 6 - Z linear rails
- Place one Z linear rail assembly on the designated T-slot.
- Insert the two align_40120_mgn15 printed jigs in the T-Slot and rail.
- Make sure the align_40120_mgn15 printed jigs are correctly placed and centering the rail on the T-slot
- Tighten the linear rails screws one at a time starting from the front and making your way towards the back, one by one.
- MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.
¶ Step 7 - Prepare the following parts
- Rat Rig Mill - Z Plate
- 4x M5x16 Low Head Screw
- 4x M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nuts
- 2x Nut Block for TR8x4
- 16x M3x6 Cap Head Screws
¶ Step 8 - Prepare the nut blocks (x2)
- Nut Block for TR8x8
- M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nut
- Insert the M5 Locking Hex Nuts in to the Nut Block
- Prepare two assemblies.
¶ Step 9 - Assemble the Z plate
- Rat Rig Mill - Z Plate
- Nut Block for TR8x4 assembly from the last step.
- The M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nuts, must be facing away from the Y gantry plate.
- Gently tighten the M5x16 Low Head Screws on the designated holes.
- Do not overtighten the screws as it will cause binding in the lead screw. Tighten until the nut block is flush with the plate and add half a turn on the screws.
- Thread the M5x16 Low Head Screws on the designated slot, Do not tighten this Nut Block, it will be adjusted later.
¶ Step 10 - Z Linear rails - Part 2
- Place the second Z linear rail assembly on the T-slot but DO NOT tighten the screws.
- Install the Z Joiner assembly on the linear rails.
- Ensure the M5 screw slots are facing the Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - Z-Axis Bottom 10mm side as shown.
- Using the 16x M3x6 Cap Head screws, fasten the XY joiner plate assembly to the mgn15 carriages.
- MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.
- Tip: Blue thread lock can be added to the thread of the M3x6 Cap Head screws.
¶ Step 11 - Ensure a smooth axis movement
- While the second linear rail remains loose, the Z plate should move smoothly without resistance. If you experience any binding or drag, slightly loosen the carriage screws, as they may be overtightened.
- Be careful to ensure that the Z joiner plate carriages do not detach from the linear rail during the process.
- Move the Z joiner fully to the front as demonstrated. Then, gradually move it toward the back, exposing one linear rail screw at a time, and tighten each screw as you progress.
- Ensure that all linear rail screws are tightened from front to back. Avoid overtightening, as this may cause binding and restrict movement.
- MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.
¶ Step 12 - Prepare the following parts
- Leadscrew - TR8x4 Metric - 281mm
- 2x Ball Bearing 688ZZ
- 2x Shim - 12 x 8 x 1mm
- 2x Lock Collar
- Thrust Bearing F8-16M
- Coupler - Disc Type
¶ Step 13 - Install the lead screw - Part 1
- 688ZZ Ball bearing
- Push the ball bearing against the inner side of the plate, ensuring it stays inside the designated groove.
- Push the Lead Screw through the hole in the ball bearing
¶ Step 14 - Install the lead screw - Part 2
- Thrust Bearing F8-16M
- Install the Thrust Bearing on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw as shown
- Lock Collar
- The Precision Shim 12x8x1mm should be in between the 688ZZ Ball bearing and the Lock Collar
- Screw the Lead Screw through both Nut Blocks under the Y joiner plate.
¶ Step 15
- Lock Collar
- Slide the Lock Collar on to the Lead Screw
- Precision Shim 12x8x1mm
- Slide the Precision Shim on to the Lead Screw
- Ensure the lead screw surface is roughly 1-2mm inside the plate.
- Tighten the set screw on the lock collar to secure it in place.
¶ Step 16
- Precision Shim 12x8x1mm
- Slide the Precision Shim on to the Lead Screw
- Coupler - Disk Type
- Install the Coupler on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw.
- Push the coupler against the metal plate and tighten the set screw.
- Push the lock collar against the axial bearing to ensure the axial bearing is making full contact with both surfaces.
- Tighten the set screw on the lock collar.
¶ Step 17 - Prepare the following parts
- Nema 23 Stepper Motor High Torque
- 4x 40mm Aluminium Spacer
- 4x M5x50 Cap Head Screw
- mill_stepper_cable_management printed part
¶ Step 18 - Install the stepper motor
- 4x 40mm Aluminium Spacer
- Nema 23 Stepper Motor High Torque
- 4x M5x50 Cap Head Screw
- Tighten the set screw on the coupler, to secure the stepper motor shaft to it.
¶ Step 19 - Install the stepper motor wire management part
- Insert the mill_stepper_cable_management printed part as shown.
¶ Step 20 - Prepare the following parts
- 4x M8x25 Cap Head Screw
- 4x M8 Nylon Locking Hex Nut
- 8x M8 Washer
¶ Step 21 - Assemble the Z-Axis
- Place the Z-axis assembly on the Z tower, ensuring the M8 Low Head
- The Z-axis is heavy and difficult to manage alone. Please request assistance from another person to hold the Z-axis while you tighten the screws.
- Assemble the M8x25 cap head screws by inserting them through the M8 washers and the Z plates. Then, place an M8 washer on the rear and secure everything with an M8 nylon locking nut.
- 4x M8x25 Cap Head Screw
- 8x M8 Washer
- 4x M8 Nylon Locking Hex Nut
¶ Step 22 - Install the tramming screws
- 4x M6x8 Set screws
- Look through the threaded holes; there should be no light visible on the other side. If you see light, it indicates that one of the Z plates is installed upside down. Visit this https://ratrig.dozuki.com/Guide/02.+Z+Tower+Assembly/285?lang=en#s3134 and flip the Z plate upside down.
- Lightly thread the set screws into the designated holes. Once they reach the rear Z plate, stop tightening.
- These screws are intended to assist the user in tramming the spindle during the commissioning process.
¶ Step 23 - Next guide
- Select your work tool to continue with the next guide:
- 2.2KW Spindle - https://ratrig.dozuki.com/Guide/05.+Spindle/289?lang=en
- Rat Rig Router - https://ratrig.dozuki.com/Guide/06.+Rat+Rig+Router/291?lang=en