¶ Step 1 - Prepare the Z - Axis Parts
- 250mm 40120 Extrusion
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC Bottom Plate
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC TopPlate
- 3x M12x45 Cap Head Screw
- 3x M12x25 Countersunk Screw
- 3x M12 Washers
¶ Step 2 - Install the Bottom Plate
- 250mm 40120 extrusion
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC Bottom Plate
- 3x M12x25 Countersunk Screw
- Tighten the screws on the Bottom Z Plate
¶ Step 3 - Install the Top Plate
- Assembly from previous Step
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC Top Plate
- 3x M12 Washers
- 3x M12x45 Cap Head Screw
- Tighten the screws on the Top Z Plate
¶ Step 4 - Prepare the Z-Axis MGN15 Linear Rails
- 2x 250mm MGN15 Linear Rail with 2x Carriages
- 10x M3x16 Cap Head Screw
- 10x 4040 Drop-in T-Nut - M4
- Leave the holes on the ends empty
- Prepare the Linear Rails as detailed in Step 6 of the X-Axis Gantry Assembly Guide
- Insert an M3x16 Cap Head Screw into each of the holes on the linear rail and loosely thread a 4040 Drop-in T-Nut
- Repeat these instructions for the second linear rail
- 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.
¶ Step 5 - Install the MGN15 Linear Rails - Part 1
- Assembly from Step 3
- Linear Rail assembly from the previous step
- Install the MGN15 40120 alignment tool as shown, this will make sure the linear rail is positioned correctly
- Tighten the screw next to the alignment tool
- Repeat the steps to tighten the screw on the other end of the rail
- Tighten the remaining screws
¶ Step 6 - Install the MGN15 Linear Rails - Part 2
- MGN15 linear rail
- Place the linear rail on to the 40120 extrusion as shown, do not tighten any of the screws at this point
¶ Step 7 - Prepare the XZ Joiner Plate
- Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC XZ Joiner Plate
- 4x M5x16 Low Profile Cap Head Screw
- 2x Nut Block for TR8x8
- 4x M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nut
- Repeat Steps 9 and 10 to assemble another XZ plate
¶ Step 8 - Install the XZ joiner plate - Part 1
- Assembly from previous step
- XZ Plate assembly from previous step
- Make sure the Nut Blocks face are facing the assembly, and the threads are oriented accordingly to the linear rails
- 16x M3x8 Cap Head Screw
- Install an M3x8 screw through each hole in the plate, and into the MGN15 linear rail carriage below, lighty tighten them
¶ Step 9 - Install the XZ joiner plate - Part 2
- Push the XZ Plate to the one side
- Tighten the M3x16 screw closest to the XZ plate
- Repeat the Steps with the Plate pushed to the opposite side
- If the Z-axis binds or becomes tight, check that the lower rail is aligned correctly. Loosening the screws securing the lower rail to the 40120 extrusion and repeat the steps above.
- Do not overtighten the screws as it can cause the axis to bind.
¶ Step 10 - Install the XZ joiner plate - Part 3
- Remove the XZ Plate
- Tighten the remaining screws on the linear rail
- Move the carriages to access the screws underneath them
- Reinstall the XZ plate and tighten the screws on it
¶ Step 11 - Install the top lead screw ball bearing
- 688ZZ Ball bearing
- Push the ball bearing against the slot on the inner side of the plate.
¶ Step 12 - Install the Bottom lead screw ball bearing
- 688ZZ Ball bearing
- Push the ball bearing against the slot on the inner side of the plate.
¶ Step 13 - Prepare the Z - Axis Lead Screw Parts
- 281mm TR8x8 Lead Screw
- 2x Precision Shim 12x8x1mm
- Thrust Bearing F8-16M
- 2x Lock Collar 8mm
- 2x 688ZZ Ball Bearing
¶ Step 14 - Install the Z - Axis Lead Screw - Part 1
- Insert the Lead Screw through the hole in the ball bearing
¶ Step 15 - Install the Z - Axis Lead Screw - Part 2
- Precision Shim
- Lock Collar
- Slide the components into the Lead Screw
- Do not tighten the screw on the Lock Collar yet.
¶ Step 16 - Install the Z - Axis Lead Screw - Part 3
- Thread the lead Screw in to the Nut Blocks on the XZ Plate and push the assembly
- Lock Collar
- Precision Shim
- Push the exposed end of the Lead Screw through the hole in the ball bearing
- Tighten the Screws on the Lock Collars to avoid the lead screw from falling in the next steps
¶ Step 17 - Install the Thrust Bearing
- Install the Thrust Bearing F8-16M on to the Lead Screw
- Be careful that the bearing does not fall off whilst this assembly is set aside
¶ Step 18 - Next guide
- Continue with the next guide: https://ratrig.dozuki.com/Guide/04.+Z-Axis+and+Stepper+Installation/202?lang=en