Anet A8 single motor Z axis drive

thingiverse

This is a simple way to sync the Z-axis drive using one motor.\r\n\r\nPrinted parts:\r\n- plateL.stl - top left plate, where the motor and idler are mounted\r\n- plateR.stl - top right plate, essentially a mirror image of the left plate but without the motor and pulley\r\n- rod_plug.stl (print 2) - replaces original guiding rod plugs on top plates\r\n- rod_holder.stl (print 2) - holds guiding rods from below since motors aren't there anymore\r\n- tube_guard.stl (optional) - keeps bowden tube from interfering with timing belt\r\n\r\nIf you prefer the motor on the right, print mirror images of plateL.stl and plateR.stl.\r\n\r\nHardware needed:\r\n- use original 4 M3 screws and nuts to mount top plates\r\n- 976mm 488 teeth GT2 (6mm) closed belt - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot-sales-GT2-timing-belt-976-2GT-6-length-976mm-width-6mm-teeth-488-for-3D/32299312364.html\r\n- GT2 18 teeth pulley 5mm bore - mounted on motor - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3d-printer-2GT-GT2-Timing-Pulley-18-teeth-Alumium-Bore-5mm-for-GT2-Belt-Width-6mm/32835852375.html\r\n- 2x flange bearings 8mm bore - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/8mm-Bearing-Zinc-Alloy-Miniature-Bearing-Pedestal-KFL08-Flange-Pillow-Block-Bearing-diy-cnc-parts/32773248332.html\r\n- 2x GT2 36teeth timing pulleys with 8mm bore - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3d-printer-pulley-aluminum-timing-pulley-2GT-36teeth-bore-5mm-6mm-6-35mm-8mm-10mm-pulley/32658350983.html\r\n- 1x idler pulley for GT2, 5mm bore - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Timing-Gear-Pulley-Without-tooth-Idle-Pulley-synchronous-Round-5mm-For-GT2-Belt-Width-6MM-Power/32761426168.html\r\n- M8 rod, length 349mm - needed to stiffen frame because it is too flimsy to withstand timing belt tension\r\n- 4x M8 nuts and washers to fix M8 rod\r\n- 4x M5 25mm screws and nuts and washers - to fix flange bearings\r\n- 1x M5 40mm screw and 2x M5 nuts and washer - to mount pulley idler\r\n- 2x M3 20mm screws and nuts for top rod plugs\r\n- 4x M3 15mm screws and nuts to mount bottom rod holders\r\n- 4x M3 12mm screws and washers for motor mounting\r\n\r\nMounting holes for flange bearings are a bit oversized so leadscrews and guiding rods can be kept parallel. The way I did it:\r\n1. Mount the flange bearing without tightening mounting screws\r\n2. fix the leadscrews in the bearings\r\n3. bring the X-axis assembly all the way up (maximal expected Z height)\r\n4. ensure that the leadscrews are parallel to guiding rods (I eyeballed it by keeping the bottom of the leadscrews above the Z motor axes which were yet unmounted at this stage).\r\n5. tighten flange bearing mounting screws\r\n\r\nDon't forget to change steps/mm parameter for z axis (from 400 to 800)\r\n\r\nHope I included everything here. If you find anything missing, please comment and I'll answer/update.