X Y Z Jacks for Mostly Printed CNC / Multitool

thingiverse

This adds on to a really nice "Mostly Printed CNC / Multitool" design. I found that cat 5e jack modules from Home Depot (CE Tech model 5025-WH) fit nicely in the end of the EMT conduit after some prep work. They make for a very clean XY and Z connection that can be easily unplugged from the controller. I think this may work well with the drag chain mod but I haven't taken a close look at it yet. Instructions First file the inside of the EMT to remove any burrs, especially if you used a pipe cutter to cut it. Use a utility knife to carve off about 11mm of the bottom corners of the module's body. Carefully carve off the same length but less deep from the "dust cover". Trim more off the bottom until the module with the cover on slides into the EMT end snugly. Drill a 1/4" hole in the top front of the dust cover and snip through to the hole to make a U (or D) shaped slot. Wire the opposite side stepper to the push pins in the jack. I used solid color jacks for one stepper and striped ones for the other, then connected them at the RAMPS side in parallel. The wires for the stepper on the same side as the jack should be enclosed in a mesh wire guard. Route it through the narrow slot between the stepper mount plate and the EMT end then through the U shaped slot you cut in the dust cover. Finally snap the dust cover on and push the jack into the EMT end. My jacks are very snug, so I didn't need any glue and they can still be removed easily. I used 0.1" crimp connectors to go from the steppers to the jack's push pins so everything is easily removable and all is hidden in the EMT tube.