Dual Z Ender 3 Complete System

thingiverse

A complete dual-z motor modification for the Ender 3 and Ender 3 Pro requires careful planning and execution. **Important: Requires removing the PSU from its location to accommodate the second leadscrew.** **Required Hardware:** - Replace existing M5x30mm screws holding the X gantry on the PSU side with 3 M5x40mm screws. - Acquire a NEMA17 motor (with or without leadscrew). - Choose a 300 to 400 mm leadscrew. - Get a T8 lead nut that slides on the leadscrew. - If buying leadscrew and motor separately, get a shaft coupler 5 to 8mm. - Use 4 M3x10mm screws for fixing the T nut. - Mount the motor to the holder and the holder to the frame using 8 M3x10 screws. - Use 2 M3x10 screws for mounting the leadscrew holder to the frame. - Install an 8x22x7mm bearing. **There are three main printed components:** 1. The motor holder holds the NEMA17 motor to the 4020 frame, where the PSU used to be. 2. The X gantry holder mounts on the 3 M5 screws that replace the existing M5 screws on the PSU-side of the X gantry (see photos). 3. The leadscrew holder is a bearing holder designed to stabilize the leadscrew rod. **Printing:** 1. Easy print with 0.2mm layer height, using more perimeters than usual. 2. Needs support; print with screw holes up, using many perimeters and 0.2mm layer height. 3. Easy print with 0.2mm layer height. I used PETG for printing, but I wouldn't recommend PLA due to its brittleness. **Installation:** First, install the motor and holder to the frame using 3D printed T nuts that take M3 screws (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3050607 like these). Next, remove the 3 screws holding the right side of the X gantry, insert new screws in, and position the triangular holder over them. Make sure it sits with no tension; then tighten the bolts. Last, mount the leadscrew holder and insert the bearing. The extra motor will be run off the first motor's cables. You'll need to splice the cables and solder the wires going to the second motor. They'll run on the same stepper driver obviously. I used a NEMA17 motor with an integrated leadscrew, but I would recommend having them separately and using an elastic coupler between them to reduce tension. You now have dual Z leadscrews on your Ender! **Note:** Be careful about the 2 Z motors desynchronizing. This can happen if you manually move the Z axis like you're used to. Don't move the X gantry by hand! This will introduce skew in the X gantry. Just use the Move Z Axis printer feature. For alignment, place two items of a fixed length below the X gantry and press the X gantry on top of them with all screws loosened. When properly seated, tighten the screws. Or you can simply measure the distance with a caliper or something and adjust each lead screw manually.