Printable x and y carriage replacements (Level 2 - Techie Consumer) (Page 9 of 11)

I did this to mine.  Prints are so much cleaner.  Just make sure you do not make it out of PLA for the extruder.  They tend to melt and not give reliable prints.  Other than that it works amazingly.

Is this compatible with a SD4 or is there another thread i should be following everything i come across states SD 2&3 ? Want to do the same setup on my SD4 While i'm dismantling to upgrade the power supply , firmware and e3d V6 also any other upgrades i should look into? Appreciated from a noobie still in the reading and learning phase

The internals are identical for upgrade purposes, but the chassis do differ, even on the early revision SD4s.  My SD4 is an inch taller than my SD3, as an example of the most major difference.  This is why I can use the rear hole in the chassis for a filament feed, instead of for the extruder cabling. 

I am planning on upgrading it to the Lawsy design carriages + E3D, just as soon as I've done the same for my more recently aquired SD3.  I've already done this for another friend's SD4 that arrived with smashed carriages, so I can verify that it'll work just fine.

I measured each twice with my el cheapo tape measure.  I took one side off of each printer, and made sure the lid on the SD4 was out of the way, to be sure.  My rulers are only a foot long, so I couldn't do it with anything more precise.  Sorry.

SD3 is (13 and three quarters) 13.75" tall, outside measurement from bottom of chassis (not the tabletop) to the top, no lids or anything else. 

SD4 is (14 and 15/16ths) 14.9375" tall, measured the same way.

If your still following this can you tell me the measurement from the top of the chassis down to the center of the holes the drive bushings go into?

Nope that about does it I really appreciate your help!

Did the Lawsy carriages upgrade on my SD4 as well - love it! runs much more smoothly (when it was running...)

a couple of minor things specific to the SD4 (on mine anyway):

in order to mount the X stop switch in the "stock" position (lower right rear corner of X carriage), I needed to create a mounting plate to mount it in the X carriage, and also a stop extension to mount on the right-hand Y carriage to prevent the 2 carriages from colliding when homing.

Also created an extension for the Y carriage to hit the stop switch at the correct location - seems the Lawsy carriages are a bit smaller than the stock ones, so it was moving further back when homing.

the switch mounting plate uses 3mm screws in the existing holes in the X carriage and is adjustable (uses the existing tiny screws & nuts for mounting the switch itself).
the 2 stop extensions use 2.5mm screws - I had to drill some holes for them, but plenty of room to do so.

in order to get the printer up and running, i made the original pieces out of styrene, but made printed parts afterwards.

Would be happy to share the STLs if anyone wants them.

printhead on mine is still the stocker - had to drill holes in the Lawsy mounting plate for mounting it, but it works.

as for the STL files... see below

I can get some pics of them too if anyone is interested.

Neither madkow007 or I are using the mk5 body at present.  Since I have two SD4s and only one E3D, the simplest solution for the moment is to print up something that lets us use the SD4 extruder on Lawsy's carriages.  He opted to bolt on a printed bracket to the Lawsy center carriage.  I'm opting to modify the Lawsy center carriage.  Either approach is helpful when one wants Lawsy's carriages but doesn't need (or can't get) an E3D.  (The Mk5 doesn't work with the new style SD4+ hot end.  No J-head flange at the top).

Get me a picture and dimensions and I'd be happy to re-design an MK5 that'll work.

100% infill 2-4 perimeters .3 layer height

I wanted to do this upgrade, but without ripping my printer apart to get parts.

I ordered new rods from Solidoodle (whichI think they must have had to hand make, it took 3 weeks to ship)

I also had the Lawsy carriage parts printed by Shapeways. I wanted something that was very accurate and would last.

The bearings I have are a tiny bit loose, although I'm hoping that the set I get from CNCSuperstore are better.

To fasten the bearings in place, does a drop or two of epoxy hurt? So they are a tight/stable fit?

Thanks again to Lawsy for such a great mod.