Thats the problem with the word "Generic". You are building a custom CNC machine with the intent of additive manufacturing, there really is nothing genereic here. What type of PSU are you using? Do you need 1, 2, 3 PSU's , i could easily justify 3 psu's with both smoothie(.gcode) and some clone mighyboard(.x3g). Surface or rail mount?

thingiverse "meanwell"
thingiverse " power supply mount"
thingiverse " atx power supply mount" <<---- there are far fewer choices here

you are trying to contain a simple rectangle, there are many free CAD choices for you to accomplish this. I am using Fusion 360 these days, and would highly recommend it. IIRC Carl is a 123D user. Starting to use the CAD software is a daunting task, but the learning curve is steep and plateau's quickly. Feel free to PM me with any fusion questions if you like.

 

Hey Carl, I am having a spacer issue. I ordered 20 1/4" aluminum spacers. But, as I'm building it seems that I will actually need 40 aluminum spacers 2 for each wheel.

Did the mini V wheel kits used to come with the aluminum spacers? I just want to make sure, that I'm not using spacers unnecessarily before I order 20 more.

 

Couple more assembly/build questions. There are several places where it mentions pre-loading tee-nuts for other items that may be added later. For those who have built the printer, do you have any recommendations on how many tee-nuts to pre-load in each position?

The other question is has anyone looked into using the metal sensor for the Z-Axis endstop and auto bed leveling? I've been spoiled by my Printrbot Simple Metal that uses this.

 

So we need to order a total of 32 1/4" spacers (BOM says 12 extra and we need one per wheel) and 20 low profile M5 screws? What length should the screws be?

 

Hey Carl, thanks for the confirmation I understand your frustration! Thanks again for making all these files available, I'm taking notes as I do my build and will provide my updated Bill Of Materials when my printer is actually completed.

Hey Elmo for the V-wheels, yes you need 32 1/4" aluminum spacers. I've printed out temporary spacers (file attached) until I get my next shipment. For the bolts I'm using the M5x40mm bolts specified in the original BOM and they are working great.

I've also ordered low profile bolts but those were for the aluminum 90 deg corners (normal socket heads will not fit), I ordered one bag of 25 bolts which are M5x8mm low profile. http://openbuildspartstore.com/low-profile-screws-m5/

 

If I use version 2 Z setup, that needed 60mm M5 bolts? Guess I'll figure it out when I get to that part of the assembly.

 

What format is that file in? Repetier doesn't seem to like it.

 

Will add those to the list for the next order. Got all the v-rail cut today and started assembling it. Got one side done and had to stop 3/4 way on the second side because I had forgotten to print two pairs of the bottom brackets. Duh! Have something else printing now but will get the other pair done tomorrow and should have a cube by tomorrow night.

 

Elmo, Here's an STL of the spacer file.

 

Working on putting the upper back bar on. I found this explanation about the rear idler bracket. So this means there are only two screw/tee nuts on each side of the upper back piece? A set on each side. One on the top and one on the bottom?

 

Thanks.

 

Elmo, I have another item to add to your shopping list!!

I've been having the toughest time getting my mini V Wheels to slide smoothly and that's because I was using just the spacers on each side of the wheels, or a washer in some cases. This is totally wrong and causes binding. There are two little washers in the V wheel kit, one goes IN the wheel and the other goes on the outside of the wheel.

Those are not "washers" and they are not even the right part that open builds links to on it's own page for the mini V wheels (they falsely link to this item which is not correct precision-shim-10x5x1mm ) !

This is what's in the kit :

mini-v-wheel-precision-shim

And you need three of them per wheel if you have spacers on both sides (The kit assumes you have a lock nut on one side)

So in conclusion you will need to order 20 of these mini-v-wheel-precision-shim items so that you will have enough for each wheel.

BTW this is because openbuilds changed it's kit and no fault to Carl and his BOM.

 

It looks like they may have fixed that link because it is not to a 10x5x1 anymore.

 

Here's an image of the issue I was having with wheel binding

 

Your right, I was looking at the Solid V Wheel kit instead of the Mini V wheel kit, thanks for catching that.

 

Shim Vs Washer - just for reference

 

Here's where I'm at on my build, I've got my Z platform moving up and down and my end stops wired but I'm still waiting on my Chimera hot end and some bearings and belts which should be here next week as well as my "precision shims".

 

Looking good. I got the cube done and attached the xy bar with 4 out of 8 wheels just to test it. Would do more but ran out of m5 washers. Got some #4 and #6 washers. Might just use those until I get my next shipment from MrMetric.com.

 

G'day Carl, The attached shows where I'm at with my monster. The rest of my flanged bearings have arrived, so Ill now be able to move on. The first shipment were only 50/50 flanged!! Also, could you be kind enough to publish the stl files for the Z rod nut holders & the print surface retainers, as in your photo 1 (3).JPG. I tried both Z slide brackets on 20x60 & found best results with the originals, bearing in mind, of course, that I don't have everything mounted yet. The photos show my poor old much modified mm2 & demonstrates how much workspace I have. Our unit is not very big!

 

Yes Carl, the 1/4" aluminum spacers cause binding when pressed against the wheel bearings, at least in my experience I may print some shims until I get my metal ones but for long term I would worry about a plastic shim mushrooming against the bearing and causing drag or damage to the bearing race.

Can someone post pictures of how they are attaching their heated beds to the extrusions? Are you guys just using 90 deg corners?

 

I got my E3d Cyclops in. Yeah! So before I start designing a carriage to fit...does anyone else already have one designed?

 

I had a mixture of spacer types. I found the only safe way is to use the (rather expevsive) shims both sides .I had to buy a bunch of them extra. I really think that the kits should be usable as is & not leave us with a problem to sort out.

 

I will have one modeled up by tomorrow evening, if you are willing to wait I have the cad model of the Chimera which has the same mount as the cyclops. So I'll upload the carriage soon.