VertexEvo (K8400) Z-axis Support

thingiverse

I've posted two revisions of Z-Axis stabilizer for Velleman Vertex K8400 printer:\r\nhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1507471\r\nhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2518429\r\n\r\nThis design came to me after my Z-coupler broke, and I replaced it with a similar product from another brand at a lower cost. Almost immediately, I noticed that the print quality was much worse than before. I started investigating the reasons behind this decline in performance and found two key factors:\r\n1) The weight of the build platform had increased significantly since its initial installation, and adding a heated bed further exacerbated the issue.\r\n2) Over the past few months, I made several modifications to my printer that required me to turn it upside down. In this position, the coupler worked as a spring, holding the entire weight of the platform in mid-air.\r\n\r\nTo address both problems, I decided to modify my Z-axis stabilizer by shifting the weight of the build platform onto 608 bearing. I added two spacers and four clamps to secure the Z-axis in place. Additionally, I redesigned the parts that held the bearing to ensure a snug fit for the clamps and spacers.\r\n\r\nAfter installing this modification, the print quality returned to its original state, if not surpassing it. The original coupler from Velleman was no longer needed.\r\n\r\n<b>NOTE:</b> Although these parts were designed for my VertexEvo printer, they should fit the original K8400 as well. \r\n\r\nThe following parts are required:\r\n- Four M3x12mm screws\r\n- Four M3x20mm socket cup head screws\r\n- Four M3 self-locking nuts\r\n- Two M5x30mm screws (for VertexEvo) or two M5x40mm screws (for original K8400)\r\n- One 608 bearing (outer diameter: 22mm, hole: 8mm, height: 7mm)\r\n\r\nTo install this modification, you will need to lift the z-rod with the build platform and push the upper clamps all the way down while tightening them. Ensure that the Z-coupler is not under pressure. Once the upper clamps are secure in position, push the lower clamps all the way up and tighten them there. Don't forget to place spacers between clamps and the bearing, with the wider side of each spacer facing its adjacent clamp.