1 Topic by jenninaj

  • jenninaj
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 45

Topic: X-axis stabilizer

I've noticed that on some of my larger prints, especially at high infill values, the hot-end would have some friction against the print and push/pull it in the X-direction. The print nearest the Z-axis rods would suffer less than the parts near the front of the machine - obviously due to the fulcrum being at the rear of the bed.

I wanted something that I could simply bolt on and wouldn't be completely rigid like some of the ideas I've seen.

This works well for me and has cut down a great deal on the problems I was seeing. As an example the wiring chain I printed was curved before but very straight afterwards.

Post's attachments

installed.jpg
installed.jpg 825.76 kb, 1 downloads since 2014-08-30 

installing.jpg
installing.jpg 926.84 kb, 1 downloads since 2014-08-30 

parts.jpg 729.3 kb, 1 downloads since 2014-08-30 

result.jpg
result.jpg 1.04 mb, 1 downloads since 2014-08-30 

x-axis_stabilizer.skp 226.56 kb, 50 downloads since 2014-08-30 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.

2 Reply by PheonixSD3

  • PheonixSD3
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-06-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: X-axis stabilizer

That's a pretty neat design solution.  It's definitely going on my to do list.  What springs and bearings did you use?

SD3, RUMBA, 360W power, ABS: Glass bed + Aquanet Extra Super Hold Hairspray, Anti-backlash Z spanner, Repetier Host + Slic3r

3 Reply by jenninaj (edited by jenninaj 2014-08-31 20:22:24)

  • jenninaj
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 45

Re: X-axis stabilizer

The springs were just a couple from this box I grabbed in Home Despot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Spring-Assor … /202045461

Go with whichever compression spring feels okay to you. I wanted a fairly stiff spring but softer springs will better compensate if your SD case is slightly out of true - like if you'd dropped it 3+ floors ;-)

The bearings are 608ZZ skateboard type - it's what I had laying around. Looks like you can get a pack of 10 for only 7 bucks from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Shielded- … B002BBICBK

The aluminum rod is also from The Despot - it's 1/2" stock and was also very cheap. I cut the rod in mine to 7 1/4 " long just 'cos that's what the springs wanted in my solidoodle 2.

As with all the posts on this great forum: good luck and make the community stronger with your mods, hacks, and tips!

4 Reply by PheonixSD3

  • PheonixSD3
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-06-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: X-axis stabilizer

Very nice.  I'll probably try to make-do with some out of an assortment pack of springs that I got from Harbor Freight.  I do always like to ask about things like springs because people always seem to use whats on hand making reproduction a bit difficult.  I'm always wishing for an exact part number - like from McMaster or somewhere but obviously I see the value in the assortment too.  Once I get my banding better handled, I'll start on this.

SD3, RUMBA, 360W power, ABS: Glass bed + Aquanet Extra Super Hold Hairspray, Anti-backlash Z spanner, Repetier Host + Slic3r

5 Reply by Claghorn

  • Claghorn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Delray Beach, FL
  • Registered: 2012-10-22
  • Posts: 730

Re: X-axis stabilizer

I may have to do this. I just tried to print a couple of the tallest parts for a sonic screwdriver and the print head caught and knocked one off kilter when it was about 20mm short of the top :-(.

Claghorn's Website

6 Reply by Claghorn (edited by Claghorn 2016-10-02 22:01:07)

  • Claghorn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Delray Beach, FL
  • Registered: 2012-10-22
  • Posts: 730

Re: X-axis stabilizer

Couldn't think of any way to improve this, so I made an exact copy (except for the color :-).

http://tomhorsley.com/hardware/solidoodle/stable/installed.jpg

Read all about it at: http://tomhorsley.com/hardware/solidood … table.html

Claghorn's Website

7 Reply by veehoo

  • veehoo
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2015-01-16
  • Posts: 24

Re: X-axis stabilizer

This thing is next in my mod list for my SD4. Problem is, i only have linux computers available, so no sketchup for me. Any kind soul willing to convert that .skp file to an STL flle please? Would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Juhis

8 Reply by swiftimundo

  • swiftimundo
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Vermont
  • Registered: 2014-05-08
  • Posts: 27

Re: X-axis stabilizer

veehoo wrote:

Any kind soul willing to convert that .skp file to an STL flle please? Would be much appreciated.

Haven't tested this yet. I will let you know sometime tomorrow.

Post's attachments

x-axis_stabilizer.stl 968.51 kb, 18 downloads since 2016-10-01 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.