CR-10(S) Brace 2020 extrusions

thingiverse

This is a sturdy brace or strut for the CR-10(S) X-Z assembly. As my layer quality began to deteriorate with increasingly taller prints, I decided a stabilizing brace was in order to keep the X-Z assembly steady. Scouring thingiverse yielded no appealing solutions, so I opted to create one myself. Some designs employed threaded rods or shafts with hinges on both ends, but these didn't mesh well with the CR-10's design. Furthermore, they started the brace triangle directly at the top of the X-Z frame, limiting the overall Z-height since the hotend assembly couldn't move under the hinge. This design leverages 2020 extrusions to blend seamlessly into the CR-10's aesthetic (I used blank aluminum extrusions due to a lack of access to black ones). The top of the brace stretches horizontally for several centimeters, allowing the Z-height to reach up to 362mm. To get started: You'll need to print each part twice, except for the base parts labeled "part 3" and "part 3 mirrored." Required materials include: * 2x90mm 2020 extrusion * 2x580mm 2020 extrusion * 26x M4 T-nuts suitable for 2020 extrusions * 26x M4x8mm countersunk screws (the total length of 8mm) Installation instructions: First, remove the bearing blocks that hold the leadscrews in place at the top. These parts actually decrease print quality because the leadscrews can be slightly bent, causing the entire frame to bend and ruin your prints. The leadscrews should be free-turning and unconstrained at the top. Next, assemble the 90mm and 580mm 2020 extrusions with the "part 2" angled brackets. I added an arrow to the inside of the "elbow" of "Part 2." This arrow should point to the short extrusion as seen on the CAD picture (white background) for proper assembly. Thanks to TommyGun3D for helping me resolve this issue. Assemble the bottom parts named "part 3" and "part 3 mirrored" using 3 screws and T-nuts each, then place the assembled extrusions in these parts. Finally, assemble the angled brackets and part 1's on top of the frame. Ensure the Z-axis is square to the baseframe! You might want to tap the ends of the 90mm extrusions as well as the horizontal frame member of the CR-10. Remember, you can easily remove the endcaps of the extrusions on the CR-10! I hope this brace will improve your CR-10(S) prints and that you'll enjoy using it! Please share a make – I'd love to see it!