¶ Introduction
Please note: This guide is based upon using two 80mm spindle mounts and an 80mm spindle. The required mounts, and number of them, will depend on your choice of spindle.
¶ Step 1 - Identify your Z plate
- In the pursuit of a sturdier machine, Rat Rig updated the Z plate allowing for a stiffer spindle mount, the Rat Rig spindle mount!
- Carefully identify your Z plate layout:
- Z Plate V1.0 - compatible only with the Openbuilds spindle mount
- Z Plate V1.1 - compatible only with the Rat Rig spindle mount
¶ Step 2 - Identify the spindle mount
- Identify the spindle mount included in your kit:
- OpenBuilds style spindle mount
- Rat Rig spindle mount
¶ Step 3 - OpenBuilds style spindle mount
- Follow the next steps and assemble the spindle mount
¶ Step 4 - Prepare the spindle mount parts
- 2x OpenBuilds Style Spindle Mount - 80mm
- 8x 90 Degree Corner Connector
- 4x M5x20 Cap Head Screw - Low Profile
- 8x M5x8 Button Head Screw
- 8x M5x10 Button Head Screw
¶ Step 5 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 1
- OpenBuilds Style Spindle Mount - 80mm
- M5x20 Cap Head Screw - Low Profile
- Insert an M5x20 screw through each hole in the spindle mount front and secure it into the spindle mount body
- Do not fully fasten the M5x20 screws at this point. They will be used to hold the spindle in place later in the assembly
¶ Step 6 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 2
- 90 Degree Corner Connector
- M5x8 Button Head Screw
- Insert an M5x8 screw through each 90 degree corner connector and fasten fully into the spindle mount
¶ Step 7 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 3
- Spindle mount assembly from the previous step
- 90 Degree Corner Connector
- M5x8 Button Head Screw
- Insert an M5x8 screw through each 90 degree corner connector and fasten fully into the spindle mount
¶ Step 8 - Install the lower spindle mount - Part 1
- Spindle Mount Assembly
- Align the spindle mount with the M5 threaded holes on the Z-axis
- M5x10 Button Head Screw
- Insert an M5x10 screw through each 90 degree corner connector and tighten into the threads on the Z-axis
- Check that the spindle mount is flush and square with the Z-axis plate as shown
¶ Step 9 - Install the lower spindle mount - Part 2
- M5x10 Button Head Screw
- Insert an M5x10 screw through each 90 degree corner connector and tighten into the threads on the Z-axis
¶ Step 10 - Install the upper spindle mount
- Repeat the instructions in Steps 5 & 6 to install the top spindle mount
¶ Step 11 - Install the spindle
- 80mm Spindle
- Insert the spindle into the mounts as shown
- M5x20 Cap Head Screw - Low Profile
- Tighten the M5x20 screws to secure the spindle in to the mounts
¶ Step 12 - Rat Rig 80mm spindle mount
- Follow the next steps and assemble the spindle mount.
¶ Step 13 - Prepare the spindle mount parts
- Rat Rig 80mm Spindle Mount
- 4x M6x70 Cap Head Screw
- 4x M6 Square nut
- 4x M8x30 Low Profile Cap Head Screw
- 2x M8x12 Low Profile Cap Head Screw
- 12x M8x22 Cap Head Screw
¶ Step 14 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 1
- Rat Rig Spindle Mount - 80mm
- M8x30 Low Profile Cap Head Screw
- M8x12 Low Profile Cap Head Screw
- Insert the screws through each hole in the spindle mount and secure it into the spindle mount body
¶ Step 15 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 2
- Assembly from the previous step
- M6x70 Cap Head Screws
- Square nut M6
- Do not fully fasten the M6x70 screws at this point. They will be used to hold the spindle in place later in the assembly
¶ Step 16 - Assemble the spindle mount - Part 3
- Spindle mount assembly
- M8x22 Cap Head Screws
- Place the screws in the designated holes, they will be tightened on the next step.
¶ Step 17 - Install the lower spindle mount
- Spindle Mount Assembly
- Mount the Spindle mount assembly on to the Z-Axis
- Tighten the M8x22 screws
¶ Step 18 - Install the upper spindle mount
- Repeat the instructions in Steps 5 to install the top spindle mount
¶ Step 19 - Install the spindle
- 80mm Spindle
- Insert the spindle into the mounts as shown
- Tighten the M6x70 screws to secure the spindle in to the mounts
¶ Step 20 - Water-Cooled Spindle - assembly tip
- When assembling the cooling circuit for your rig with a water-cooled spindle, please take this tip into account.
- Allow the liquid hoses to move freely by themselves, do not constrain their movement.
- Do not insert them into the drag chains, as the constricted pathways and tight bends may potentially result in punctures or leaks, thereby leading to machine malfunction.