Aluminium Platform Anti-Backlash/Wobble PLA Nut

I'm currently awaiting some parts to arrive, but in the mean time, I thought I'd follow the lead of others and produce a taller nut to see how well it helped with backlash.

The newer Alu Platforms also are a bit more difficult to address 'out of the box', as they dont have the existing nuts around the lead screw to use as lock points.

So my solution was to tap out the drill holes in the bed to M4, and then print using PLA a much taller nut. Its designed to bolt down onto the top of the platform, effectively more than doubling the attachment area to the lead screw. I tapped the lead screw thread with the appropriate tap very carefully, creating a very tight but functional interface to the lead screw.

The end result is very promising. Its notably reduced my banding, although not eliminated it (I suspect a flex coupler would all but eliminate it). Backlash is also now non existent.

If you print this, its important to do it as PLA. ABS flexes far too much, and is also not slippery enough for use on the screw and will bind. Ideally this should really be printed in Nylon for best performance.

Heres some pics of it installed:

The STL is over on thingiverse:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:89744

Let me know if you give it a go and if it helps any for you. Long term the PLA will wear allowing backlash to exist to some extent, however the vastly taller nut combination will keep it to a minimum.