Z-Follower Ver 2

thingiverse

Version 2 of my Z-Axis follower reduces plastic usage and print time while improving spacing. It works but has not undergone long-term testing yet. My bot no longer experiences binding at the top, thanks to this design. I've implemented only one Z-Axis follower on the right side, with brass press-fit bearings still in place on the left side. The follower fits within regular z-axis constraints and requires minimal modifications (only 2 screw holes). You can find the original Sketchup file for customization purposes. To use this Z-Axis follower, scale it down to 0.01. I used 6 bearings, which might be overkill, but they work well in my setup. The design uses 693 bearings (3x8x4), and you can order them from eBay. The follower is slightly taller than the space between the top and bottom z-axis parts on purpose, allowing for filing or sanding to fit your specific bot. The top z-axis should press down on the follower to help secure it in place. You may need washers between the bearing and plastic if your bearings don't spin freely. In future iterations, securing the plastic to the top of the z-axis and possibly the side might be beneficial. Alternative options include: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8823 and http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6184.