buildlog.net

After receiving my kit months ago, I ended up moving house almost immediately after... so the house has been the project since. Now the dark nights are here, I'm ready to go - the goal is to do something super clean.

- Azteeg X1
- Makerbot MK7 extruder with MK8 nozzle
- MK2 heatbed

Will try to get completed within 3 - 4 weeks, we'll see!

Got the frame and wiring in.

Cables

Steppers - I've stripped four cores from a multicore cable that just fits through the frame and have adequate gauge - 4 x 0.34mm - LÜTZE SUPERFLEX - Lutze part 117305 (datasheet attached)
Heatbed - Two cores from a high temperature silicone cable 2 x 0.75mm - Lapp Kabel - ÖLFLEX® HEAT 180 SiHF - Lapp Kabel part 0046001 (datasheet attached)
Main power - 2 x 1.5mm tri-rated
Switches - twisted pairs from cat5 cable

Springs

I had a problem getting hold of these easily in the UK - I found a company that happened to produce long lengths of exactly the same spring required for another customer.

I'll be putting ferrules on for the terminals and putting the connectors / motors on next.

After receiving a request about the spring source I thought I would post it here - The supplier was tested spring - http://www.testedspring.co.uk - A really good company to deal with. If you phone them up and ask about 8mm diameter (measures 7.2mm) stainless steel extension springs (0.81 and 0.91mm wire) in long lengths they should be able to help you out and sell direct - ask for Murray. It is a product they make anyway in long (I think around 1 metre) lengths so you just cut it to the length you require.

The cable I got direct but I believe you can buy it from farnell and similar shops. I have attached a photo to show the natural winding inside the outer sheath.

I've now swapped the pluggable headers for 2.54mm screw terminals, pheonix contact part number 1725656 (2 way), 1725669 (3 way) and 1725672 (4 way).

Finally been able to return to the project!

Updates:

- Wiring in, powered on, connected and testing motors with repetier.
- Decided to socket-ise the carriage with an 8 way connector - they are supposedly rated at 5A / contact. I'm going to laser cut a little bracket to support the socket.

Socketed the z axis stepper and limit switch

Everything seems to work, I just have to wait for a second thermistor, test and then tidy up the wiring. I think one of the threaded rods is bent slightly, as it wobbles the motor ever so slightly upon each rotation. I may buy some new rods, along with some flexible couplers. I will likely have the motor brackets re-made from 2-3mm stainless.

Tidied up the wiring

New 3mm stainless motor brackets, couplers and threads

Very nice wiring! I envy you since I haven't found the energy to do much about it myself. This documentation of your progress is appreciated!