ACME screw upgrade for Shapeoko Z-Axis

[Improbable Construct]

ACME Z axis upgrades now $65.00!

I have reduced the price of the Z axis upgrade from $75.00 to $65.00.
I just got in a new batch of the screws and they are available now.

http://www.shapeoko.com/upgrades

[jkanzaki]

Good to hear.

[calica]

How compatible is the ACME screw upgrade with the changes in v2?

[Improbable Construct]

I am not sure yet.
I need to get the specs of v2.
Hopefully it will be compatable.

[gregdestefano]

I just assembled my upgrade with the V2 Motor plates. Seems to fit fine, the main problem comes from clearance with the DW660 and the now reversed carriage. IE I've had to space the DW660 mounts out 1/4 in to clear the top bearing plate, and trim down the bottom bearing plate by about a 1/4 in (to the first unused screw hole) to clear the bottom of the router and vacuum mount. But that is more a function/problem of the reverse Z orientation with older hardware than the ACME Z upgrade itself.

[BotDoc]

I'm in the same boat as gregdestefano. Since I'm going to the V2 unveiling tonight in Chicago, I thought I'd take a look at the V2 z-carriage plate first before I modify the bearing plates. I was thinking about adding spacers on the v-wheel bolts and acme nut to move the carriage further out about a 1/4 of an inch for tool mounting clearance. That requires bolts neither Home Depot nor my local hardware store carries and I wasn't looking forward to ordering a box of 100 from McMaster.

gregdesefano, did you also order improbable contructs's DW660 mounts? If I move the carriage plate out, I was going to notch the corners of the mount to fit over the wheel bolts, but I don't like that idea any more that using spacers to move the carriage away from the makerslide. I was contemplating making my own carriage plate, but I want to look at the V2 carriage first.

[Improbable Construct]

I need to get my hands on one of the new Z axis setups.
I am sure that some parts are going to have to be redesigned.
Hopefully if will not be too long before I can get the parts worked out.

[gregdestefano]

I have IC's mounts and I tried notching to clear the bolts, but then the mount wasn't far enough off the carriage plate to clear the bearing blocks. So I had to put a spacer on the DW660 mounts themselves to push them away from the carriage to clear. It works for now and I'll try to cut new "farther away" mounts with notches to go around the wheel bolts after this is all up and running, or if Improbable Construct makes some i'll just buy those =) If anyone want's pics of my V2/ACME DW660 setup I can post them soon, trying to finish wiring it all up today.

[Improbable Construct]

I would love to see some pictures.
I am sure there will be some good solutions to the fitment problems.

[BotDoc]

Some photos of the Z carriage from the V2 unveiling tonight.

The Z Carriage is smaller than the V1 carriage. The tool mounts are just below the top wheel bolts and just above the bottom wheel bolts. The Delrin nut is fastened in the middle.


photo 1 by dave847, on Flickr


photo 4 by dave847, on Flickr


photo 3 by dave847, on Flickr


photo 2 by dave847, on Flickr