Ender 6 Z-Axis Linear Rail Mount

cults3d

UPDATE New version added that can be printed flat on the bed. The model will still need supports for the area where the aluminium extrusion slots in. I have included an image to illustrate how it should look in your slicer. You will also need to mirror the file in your slicer for the second print so that you have one mount for each side. I designed these Z-Axis mounts to give the bed frame the stability and precision of linear rails over the factory supplied v-slot wheels, which can wear down and even come loose over time. To install this upgrade, you will need the following hardware: Auto bed levelling - This mount is not designed to work with the standard Ender 6 Z-Axis Endstop. It could easily be made to, but I figured that most people doing this mod would have some sort of auto bed levelling system in place. 2 x 450mm MGN12H Dual Carriage Linear Rails (500mm will fit the length of the extrusion but I haven't tried them) Each mount will need the following: 8 x M3 8mm Cap Head Screws to secure the mount to the linear rail carriages (4 per carriage) 3 x M3 8mm Cap Head Screws and 3 x M3 T-Nuts to secure the mount to the bed frame extrusion To install the linear rails, you will need to print a couple of 2040 MGN12H alignment blocks to help install them square to the frame. You will also need at least 4 x M3 8mm Cap Head Screws and 4 x M3 T-Nuts per linear rail. This is a minimum, some people secure with every other hole on the rail, some people secure using every hole. The more the better really. Printing I printed my first brackets in PETG and then the updated version in ABS. Choose a strong filament that will be futureproof. If you plan on printing in an enclosure, I wouldn't recommend PLA due to the fact these mounts will be carrying the weight of the bed and frame and the heat could cause them to warp/sag. You will need to print two of the mounts and two of the bed frame spacers using the settings listed below. Be sure to add supports like in the attached slicer image: • Layer height: 0.2mm. • Extrusion width: 0.4mm, forced. • Infill pecentage: Minimum 40% (or higher) • Infill type: grid, gyroid, honeycomb, triangle, or cubic. • Wall count: 4. • Solid top/bottom layers: 5. Installation Once you have removed the original v-slot wheels and brackets from your Ender 6 you can install the linear rails using the alignment blocks you printed earlier, and as many screws/t-nuts as you decide to use. The rails need to secure to the first of the two v-slots on the 2040 extrusions (the ones closest to the bed). When you are happy with your rail position you need to put your three M3 8mm screws through the three holes in the middle of each mount and put your t-nuts on the other side. You will need to line the t-nuts up so they will slide into your bed frame extrusion. Lift one of your carriages up above the bed frame and begin to slide the mount over the extrusion. You want to have one carriage above the mount and one below. Once the mount is in place you should be able to use your eight M3 8mm screws to secure the mount to the carriages. Four screws on the top carriage and four screws on the bottom carriage. Do this for both sides so your mounts are now fixed to the linear rail carriages and are now holding the bed frame. DO NOT tighten the three screws that lock the mount to the bed frame just yet Now we want to run the bed up and down manually to make sure our bed frame assembly is in the correct position in relation to the lead screw. We want the top of the lead screw to be in the same position whether the bed is at its highest or lowest point. Measure from the top of the lead screw to a point on the frame and adjust your bed frame position in the mounts until the lead screw is roughly in the same position when the bed is at its highest and lowest points. Once you are happy with the position you can tighten the three screws on each mount to lock the bed frame in place. Now you need to undo the screws that secure the front bed frame extrusion in place (near the front bed height adjusters) and fit the spacers. There is one for the left side and one for the right side (see attached images). Thats it. Well done, it's finished!!! Time to enjoy the fruits of your labour and marvel at the improved bed stability and resulting reduced Z Banding : )