2020 extrusion Z brace for Tornado, CR-10, etc

thingiverse

This is a Z brace for the Tevo Tornado, Creality CR10 and similar models. The threaded rod solutions didn't work for me because it requires adjustment, and if you don't do it right you can end up with a Z axis that's out of square. So I designed this using 2020 extrusions and t nuts, so you only have to bolt everything together, no adjustments necessary and extremely rigid. Assembling is straightforward. Here's how I do it: insert the screws into the bracket holes for mounting to the frame and insert the t-nuts into the screws just a little, like 2 or 3 turns, place in the corner of the machine and make all the t-nuts go into their slots. Sometimes this is a little tricky because the corner bolts interfere, but fiddle around with it and it should go in no problem. If you find this too troublesome, just remove one screw and t-nut, place the corner bracket with the two screws in the machine and then insert the remaining t-nut in the slot, slide it in and screw the remaining screw. Tighten and just make sure that the t-nuts are properly aligned. Then, pre-insert the screws with the t nuts in the holes for the 2020 extrusion, then slide the extrusion into the brackets, starting with the top bracket. Tighten and it's done. It may seem like a long explanation, but it's actually quite easy. For printing, rotate the parts 90 degrees until you find the orientation that will print without supports. There's a steep overhang on the bot brackets, but my tornado handled it no problem. Use high perimeters and infill for strength. I use the fang fan shroud, and I lose 5 mm of X travel on both sides from Z 342 and up, luckily I've never seen a model use that space. Full 400 mm of height available in the middle. Required Hardware: 28 x M4x10 screws (M4x8 if you don't want to use washers) 56 x 1 mm washers (I used 2 per screw, but probably 1 is enough) 28 x M4 t-nuts 2 x 630 mm long 2020 extrusions (I inserted it and then marked it to cut in diagonal, so the corner doesn't come out in the top, I recommend you to do the same, but if you want to cut it before, the long part of the extrusion is 630 mm and the other 622 mm, this is with only one side diagonal, the other is straight) EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that some tornado versions have a top z bearing plate that attaches to the top of the frame instead of the back. With those versions this will not work, check the pics if it will work with yours. If there's enough demand I can make a version for that one. EDIT2: Uploaded the alternative version for the top mounted z bearing. Since I had to remove a mounting point from the top, I added another one on the front. It's called TornadoReinforcementTopAlternative, enjoy!