Ultra Compact Opto Z-Probe for Mendel with Diamond Nozzle

prusaprinters

<p>This is a very compact Z-Probe assembly with opto-barrier. It is taylored for my vertical x-axis with the multicolor diamond nozzle (<a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1415013">http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1415013</a>). But it can be fitted on other carriages as well. It will be connected by just one M3 screw at the bottom of the carriage - very close to the nozzle.</p> <p>The big advantages of this design are:</p> <ul> <li>Compact and light design</li> <li>Only one connecting screw.</li> <li>Servo can be changed by only removing one cable tie</li> <li>Very close to the nozzle tip, only a bit more than 1 inch</li> </ul> <h5>Improvements / Modifications</h5> <h6>Version 2-2</h6> <ul> <li>first release</li> </ul> <h6>Version 2-3</h6> <ul> <li>replaced opto-probe for shorter signal-way</li> <li>added space for SP90 servo with cable on the side (instead of rear end).</li> <li>slight weight reduction</li> </ul> <h3>Post-Printing</h3> <p><strong>Bill of materials</strong></p> <div><p>You need the following printed parts:</p> * 1x Probe V2 body * 1x Probe-Bar <p>Get additional parts:</p> <ul> <li>2x screw M3 x 30mm</li> <li>4x screw M3 x 12mm</li> <li>1x screw M3 x 40mm</li> <li>8x nut M3</li> <li>2x nut M3 self-locking</li> <li>1x screw M5 x 50mm</li> <li>1x nut M5</li> <li>1x nut M5 self-locking</li> <li>1x Opto-Probe on PCB (e.g. Chinese product)</li> <li>1x Servo SP90 (e.g. Chinese product)</li> <li>30 cm of thin isolated flexible cables</li> <li>6cm shrinking tubing, fitting the cables</li> <li>1x cable-tie 6mm x 180mm</li> </ul> <p><strong>A first sketch of the idea.</strong></p> <p><strong>Preparing the probe</strong></p> <ul> <li>Pick up the M5 x 50mm screw.</li> <li>Use a saw to cut off the screw's head</li> <li>Use a file to shape about 20mm of the one side of the screw. Dimensions about 4,2mm x 2,8mm.</li> <li>Use a saw to cut away about 8mm of the thread and form a point at this end. Overall length about 4,2 cm.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Finally your probe should look like this</strong></p> <p><strong>Probe bar assembly</strong></p> <p>Put the M5 nut into the printed probe bar and screw in the probe. Use the self-locking m5-nut to fix the probe in place.</p> <p><strong>This is the probe bar assembly</strong></p> <p><strong>Opto-Barrier modification</strong></p> <p>Because of the compact design the Opto-barrier and PCB have to be separated.</p> <ul> <li>Us a solder iron to unsolder the barrier and remember which pin goes to which pad.</li> <li>Connect a wire to each pin and protect it with a small piece of shrinking tubing.</li> <li>Solder the open wire-ends to the corresponding pads of the PCB.</li> <li>Mount the Opto-barrier and the PCB onto the printed probe body using M3 screws and nuts</li> <li>Place the wires in the trenches of the printed body part.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Attach probe bar to probe body</strong></p> <p>Put two M3 nuts into the foreseen pits of the probe body.</p> <p>Attach the two M3 x 30mm screws. They will act as guidance for the probe bar.</p> <p><strong>Probe retracted.</strong></p> <p><strong>Probe extended. The M3 nuts acting as stop are missing here.</strong></p> <p><strong>Final tips</strong></p> <p>You'll need the M3 x 40mm screw to attach the probe assembly at the x-carriage. Do that before mounting the servo with the cable-tie because the screw is situated underneath the servo!</p> <p>Before you connect the Servo to your controller make sure that it provides enough power for the servo - or you can damage your controller! Better: Use an external powersource.</p> </div> Category: 3D Printer Parts