05. Assembly of the z-Axis

(1) 2.5x100mm Hexagon Ballpoint Screwdriver

(2) 5.0x100mm Hexagon Ballpoint Screwdriver

(3) 6.0x125mm Hexagon Ballpoint Screwdriver

(4) Soft-faced Hammer with Cellidor Head Sections

(5) Screw Lock

(6) Z-Alignment Tool

(7) Lighter

You will need different aluminum profiles, stepper motors and rods depending on your 3D printer model.

For a Caribou 220 you will need:

(1) 2x 320mm z-Aluminium Extrusion (2) 2x 320mm z-Axis Stepper Motor 1.8° (3) 2x 322mm z-Rod

For a Caribou 320 you will need:

(1) 2x 420mm z-Aluminium Extrusion 2x 420mm z-Axis Stepper Motor 1.8° (3) 2x 422mm z-Rod

For a Caribou 420 you will need:

(1) 2x 520mm z-Aluminium Extrusion(2) 2x 520mm z-Axis Stepper Motor 1.8° (3) 2x 522mm z-Rod

(1) z-Motorholders, left and right

(2) 2x Screw Covers

(3) 2x Corner Brackets

(4) 1m Techflex Cable Tube (Diameter 3,2mm)

(1) 8x Black Washers

(2) 8x M3x10mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws

(3) 8x M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws

(4) 2x M8x40mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws

(5) 4x T-Nuts

Insert a M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw into the inside of the z-motorholder and screw a T-Nut to it loosely from the outside.

Repeat this step for the second z-motorholder.

Place a M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw in one of the two holes of the corner bracket and screw a T-Nut loosely onto it.

Repeat this step for the second corner bracket.

Align the T-Nuts and the y-carriage (see Fig. 1). Make sure that there is one T-Nut in front of the hole and one behind it in each of the y-aluminum extrusions.

Place your z-extrusion over the hole in the y-extrusion and fix it from below with a M8x40mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw.

After tightening, loosen the M8x40mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw just enough so that the profile can still be moved easily in all directions.

Slide the z-motorholder (the opening must face inwards) into the front slot of the z-extrusion. Then, press the z-motorholder onto the y-extrusion so that it rests straight on it.

Slide a corner bracket into the rear slot of the z-extrusion.

Press the z-extrusion onto the surface of the y-extrusion so that the corner angle rests squarely on it.

Now, tighten the previously attached M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw to the z- motorholder and the corner bracket.

Position the 2x T-Nuts on the y-extrusion under the opening of the z-motorholder and under the hole in the corner bracket.

Take 2x M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws and screw them loosely into the 2x T-Nuts.

Place the z-alignment tool on the rear part of the x-extrusion and push the z-extrusion against it until it touches the tool.

Now, fasten both the M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screwattaching the corner bracket, and the M8x40mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw.

The M6x12mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screw on the z-motorholder remains loose for the time being.

Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the other side of the frame.

First, you have to distinguish between right and left z-stepper motor. The right z-stepper motor comes with a long cable and the left one with a short cable.

Cut 15cm and 60cm from your Techflex tube. The remaining 25cm are used in manual 10.

The two ends of the Techflex tube are briefly heated with a lighter.

Now, push the motor cable of the left z-stepper motor through the 15cm Techflex hose and the motor cable of the right z-stepper motor through the 60cm Techflex tube.

First, remove the POM nuts from the two z-stepper motors and set them aside. They will later be needed for the construction of the x-axis.

Place the z-stepper motor next to the z-motorholder. The cable should be aligned towards the rear of the frame.

Carefully slide the z-stepper motor into the z-motorholder and make sure that the cables are not pinched.

Press the z-stepper motor up from below until it snaps in.

Place 4x M3 Washers in the z-motor mount.

Screw the z-stepper motor to the z-motorholder using 4x M3x10mm Hexagon Socket Head Cap Screws.

Make sure that the z-stepper motor is completely straight.

Now, push the Techflex tube surrounding the cables attached to the z-stepper motor as far into the z-motorholder as possible.

Tighten the M6x12mm Socket Head Cap Screw in the z-motorholder on the y-axis.

Place a z-rod in the hole next to the z-stepper motor on the z-motorholder . Carefully tap the z-rod straight into place.

Turn the screw cover onto the z-stepper motor until it is almost at the bottom of the spindle.

At the very bottom, put a drop of Screw Lock on the spindle and turn the z-screw cover above it. A gap of 1mm should remain between the bottom of the z-screw cover and the top of the motor.

Regularly check whether the screw cover is properly seated. It must not rest directly on the motor which will otherwise be blocked.

Repeat steps 7 to 14 for the other side of the frame.

The z-axis is now fully installed.

Continue with instructions 06. Assembly of the Einsy Box.