printrite y-axis gantry ends (bearing-less)

thingiverse

While designing the latest version of my Poltur XL printer design, which heavily features bearingless part designs, I thought it would be interesting to revisit some of my older designs and see if my now tried and tested bearing-less method could be incorporated. The original Printrite DIY Y-axis gantry ends seem like the perfect candidate given that the stocks are, let's face it, subpar. I had already designed a lightened version that I could adapt. I must say that if I had done this before stripping my DIY to make the Poltur, then the original Printrite might have very well survived in its original form for a lot longer. Obviously, I don't have a complete Printrite to test it on anymore, but fortunately, I do have some 8mm smooth rods and the Printrites upper plastic crossmember and feet, which allowed me to test fit and check operation. They slide like they're on a layer of melted butter, and obviously, without the metal-on-metal contact of stock linear bearings, they do so almost silently. As mentioned, the block is based on my tried and tested lighten Y-axis block design, and the bearing-less design is identical to the method I've been using on my Poltur XL's carriage, which has run countless hours without issue so far. The two combined designs should work without fault and, in my opinion, definitely improve stability, smoothness of operation, and noise over the stock setup. You could say this is my last hurrah for the Printrite DIY, which, in my case, has been long dead for many moons now. However, I know that many of you are still doggedly resisting your own Printrites' seemingly endless attempts at self-annihilation. These might go some way to fighting off its inevitable demise for just a little bit longer. I hope these help.