NEMA 23 Protective Shaft End Cover

thingiverse

After getting frustrated with the constant jamming of the protruding shaft on my CNC machine's NEMA23 stepper motors, I cut down some half liter water bottles to cover the end of the motors. However, they only provided a temporary solution and often got knocked off easily. So, I decided to create something more permanent. As a result, I designed these custom covers for all four motors on my machine. The two front motors (the Y axis motors) were the ones that caused me the most trouble, as I frequently bumped into them. But there was also a risk of bending or getting something wrapped around the protruding shafts. These press-fit covers fit snugly onto the motors but can still be easily removed when needed. Since accuracy is not crucial in this design, I used PETg and 0.3mm layers to create them. I'm aware that NEMA23 stepper motors may have varying dimensions, so please check your specific motor's measurements before printing these covers. In the photo, you'll see the green motors on my Probotix Comet machine. Fortunately, the Meteor, Asteroid, Nebula, and other machines also use the same steppers, making this design compatible with a wide range of CNC systems.