Laser engraver - using timing belt as gear rack

grabcad

Here is my design of a brand new laser engraver that's super easy to build. Please check out the video for step-by-step instructions. All the brackets on this machine can be easily cut using a 3018 CNC or any other machine. I came up with a fresh concept to install a timing belt by attaching it to a solid surface and using it as a gear rack. At the end of the build, I wanted to repurpose the control board from my old 3018 CNC that only has three axis outputs. Since I only need X and Y axis for this machine and two stepper motor drivers for the Y axis, I decided to make the Z axis a mirror image of the Y axis. Cloning axes with GRBL source code is more complex and challenging. I discovered an easier way by cutting off the three pins - direction, step, and enable - on the stepper motor of the Z axis. Then, I soldered three wires from the corresponding pins on the Y axis to the Z axis, making it a perfect clone. During the testing phase, I noticed that the linear bearing blocks had low tolerance, resulting in sloppy movement. To fix this issue, I purchased additional LM8UU linear bearings and installed two of them in each bearing pillow block. The improvement was remarkable - almost no play can be detected on the axis, and the image quality is now much sharper and clearer. If you're interested in building this laser engraver, here are the links to purchase the necessary parts: * 8mm Linear Rods (need eight rods): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32765021606.html * Locking Rings for 8mm Rods (at least twelve required): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32830905214.html * SC8UU Bearing Blocks (six units): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32994998368.html * Timing Belt: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32846763201.html * Extra Linear Bearings: https://www.ebay.com/itm/LM8UU-LM12UU-Linear-Ball-Bearing-Bushings-Motion-Machinery-For-CNC-12Pcs/312719422089