Wanhao Duplicator i3 Plus / Monoprice Maker Select Plus Z-Axis bracing (all required parts)

thingiverse

### Introduction: When printing my Z braces for the Plus, I discovered that it was a collection of "take this part from here, this part from there" instructions. As a result, I ended up printing some parts I didn't need. Therefore, I decided to remix the parts I used into a single, streamlined model. ### You will need to print: * 4 of the BallsMk2 * 1 of everything else I note that I did not bother with the nut plugs, so I'm unsure if they will actually work properly. However, I've included them for completeness' sake. ### You will need the following hardware: * 2 pieces of 5/16 or 8mm threaded rod at least 16.5" long (approximately 420mm). I used 18" long pieces (457mm) because 36in (914mm) is a common length in the US. * 2 nylock nuts in the above width and thread. * 6 regular nuts in the above width and thread. * 4 M5 x 10 screws (for the front and rear corner feet, replacing the stock screws, which are too short) * 8 M3 x 10 screws (for the top left and right corners, replacing the stock screws, which are too short) ### Instructions: 1. With pliers, carefully remove the round plug in the middle of each ball, which is used for support. This will allow you to pull it out cleanly with needle-nose pliers, so you won't need to enable support in your slicer for the balls. 2. Undo the 4 screws on one side of the gantry and attach the top bracket using 4 of the M3 x 10 screws. Try to place the corner back in its original position, as you don't want to knock your gantry out of square. 3. Repeat step 2 for the other side. 4. Undo the left and right rear screws (leaving the center one alone) and attach the two back feet using 2 M5 x 10 screws. 5. Thread a regular nut onto one end of the threaded rod and fit it into one of the front feet so that the threaded rod protrudes past the bottom of the foot. 6. Add a nylock nut to the other end of the rod, making sure the flat part faces the interior of the foot. 7. Pull the rod up until the nut seats inside the foot. 8. Tighten down on the regular nut so the foot is secure. 9. From the other end of the threaded rod, add another regular nut and one of the balls. The ball should cover the nut, and you want it to go down far enough to give you enough space to get the rod through the bracket on the gantry. 10. Remove the screw from the front corner where you're going to install the foot. 11. Slide the threaded rod up through the top bracket and install the foot. 12. As you slide the threaded rod into the upper support, add a ball and a regular nut, as you won't have clearance to screw them on once everything is tight. 13. Once the foot is in place, use an M5 x 10 screw to secure it down. 14. Repeat the above steps for the opposite side bracket. 15. Once both brackets are attached and the balls containing the nuts can be turned freely, loosen the screws at the bottom of the gantry (the ones you had to put in when you first got the printer) and use the balls to square up the printer, tightening them at the end. Then tighten down the screws. Now everything should be properly aligned and squared.