Anet A2 Z axis upgrades

thingiverse

Those components will greatly reduce flex of A2 Z-axis and consequently minimize Z sagging, which causes first layers to be severely compressed on top of each other, a significant amount of extruder clicking, elephant foot, and prints being several tenths of millimeters lower than they should be. In standard form, my A2 produced prints that were 0.6-0.7mm lower than designed, all due to Z sag and flex. Those components largely eliminate most of it, my prints are now less than 0.1 off. The stabilizer actually contributes more, so if you want a quick win, just use the stabilizer. Picture shows older version of the motor mount which, as I later discovered, limits Z travel ~12mm, so the STL has a cutout in the bottom part for the wheel (black marker on the photos). UPDATE: I have now switched to inverted Z http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2199187, and like it even more than this thing. Even though it's created for dual lead screws, I'm currently using it with single stock one, waiting for my parts to arrive. 100% Z sag eliminated. It is a bit more difficult to align due to short distance between motor and Z nut at Z=0 height, but once it's sorted, it's excellent. If you are a fresh A2 owner just starting up, I suggest just printing the small stabilizer part from this thing here and using it to print the inverted Z parts. Print Settings Printer: Anet A2 Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Doesn't Matter Resolution: 0.2 Infill: 100% Notes: I printed mine in PLA with 100% infill. Motor mount should be printed upside down, no need for supports. The stabilizer can be printed laying down (no need for supports), or like I did, standing up, in which case it obviously needs internal supports. The motor mount is intentionally designed with zero tolerance, the width of the frame slot is exactly 20mm, so make sure your printer is producing accurate measurements in XY dimension. Else you could probably scale it 101% in slicer to give you some slack.