MakerGear M2 Project

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Page 6

       Next I cable tied the X-axis harness to the side of the stepper motor...

       I then cable tied the extruder harness and X-axis harness together as seen below.

       You will notice that the extruder harness has plenty of room to move as the extruder moves side to side. This setup (IMHO) will provide the longest service life of this harness and will minimize the fatigue of the conductors inside.

       Note: Some users have chosen to install a “cable track” for this harness however I feel that the tight radius of the cable track will do more damage to the harness than good in the long run...

       The next harness I worked on was the X and Z-axis end stop switch harness (seen below).

       The Z-axis end stop switch was already installed on the end stop clamp (below left). All I had to do was install a set of M3 Nylock nuts into the PLA printed clamp.

       Below is the other half of the end stop clamp.

       Next I used a set of M3 x 12mm cap screws to secure the clamp to the linear rod as seen below. The clamp can be left semi-tight until you set up the Z-axis end stop screw after the machine is powered up.

       The M4 Z-axis end stop cap screw (seen below) was the next to be installed. It comes stock at 50mm long but needs to be shortened as to not collide with the Z-axis stepper motor. I trimmed my screw to about 35mm long which leaves just enough sticking below the Y-axis plate for adjustment later on.

       I set up the end stop screw so that it was about 22mm from the top of the screw to the top of the Y-axis plate seen below. I then locked down the M4 lock nut (and M4 washer) with blue threadlocker. Note: Future adjustments of the Z-axis end stop switch can be done by moving the clamp up and down the linear rod. This is much more practical than messing with this cap screw (IMHO).

       Next I set up the end stop switch so that it contacted the end stop screw in the middle of the microswitch’s lever arm (seen below). This will provide the best accuracy and repeatability when homing the Z-axis. Too far to the end of the arm will cause the Z-axis to home at random levels and too close will not provide enough room for over travel of the axis when homing.
       I set up the end stop switch so that it would activate (audible click) before the glass build platform could collide with the nozzle (not shown). The exact adjustment of the Z-axis end stop switch will be done after the machine is powered up.

       Next I installed the X-axis end stop switch with two M2.5 x 12mm cap screws.

       I checked to see if the end stop switch would click before the extruder carriage would hit the end stop of the X-axis. A small adjustment was made in the switch arm (bending it) so that it activated before the carriage would hit the end of the rail.

       Next I installed the stock PLA printed filament guide/end stop wire shroud with two M3 x 8mm screws.

       The Z-axis motor connection is also combined into the end stop switch harness so that connection was made as well.

       On the RAMBo board side the Z-axis motor connection was plugged into the board’s Z port as seen below.

       The Z-axis end stop switch connector now connects to the board at the Z-axis minimum end stop port seen below. You will notice that the yellow wire is toward the front of the board (USB side)...

       Next the X-axis end stop connector plugs into the X-axis minimum port on the RAMBo board as seen below. The white wire is positioned so that it is toward the middle of the board (right). Note: Flipping any of the X, Y or Z end stop connectors around on the board could cause a short circuit and damage the board. Make sure they are in right before powering the board.

       Next I used a set of the “sticky back” adhesive cable tie anchors on the machines upright frame angle to support the end stop harness as seen below.

       One for the Z-axis motor wire...

       Next the Heated Build Platform (HBP) harness was to be installed.

       I had already aligned the connectors on the build plate so that connection was easily done.

       Next I cut a 16cm long piece of the supplied wire loom material to go over the HBP connectors.

       A couple of cable ties secured the connection.

       On the RAMBo side of the harness I connected the HBP connector to the “Heated Bed” port on the board as seen below.

       Next the HBP thermistor connector was installed into the “T2” port of the RAMBo board...

       I secured the HBP harness to the side of the machine and then checked the range of motion of the Y and Z-axis of the machine to see if there was to be any binding of the wires.

       I moved the HBP all around and was pleased to see the harness moved freely without any kinking or rubbing.

       The relaxed loop of the HBP harness will provide a long service life of the wire although I had my suspicions about where the wires connect to the HBP assembly. Additional support may be needed (more on that later)...

       The last harness to install is the Y-axis motor and end stop switch harness seen below.

       The Y-axis end stop switch attached to the tooling plate with two M2.5 x 12mm cap screws.

       I checked to make sure the switch would activate before the Y-axis carriage reached the mechanical end stop of it’s travel. This is important or else the homing function of the machine will not work. If the switch does not click when the carriage is moved to the end you must bend the switches arm so that it contacts the carriage sooner leaving clearance at the end of it’s travel.

       Next I plugged in the motor connector and secured the harness with a cable tie as seen below.

       On the board side of the harness the Y-axis connector was plugged into the board as seen below.

       Next the Y end stop connector was plugged into the Y-axis minimum end stop port on the board. You will notice that the yellow wire is toward the USB port of the board.

       The harnesses could now be secured to the machine’s base with a set of sticky back pads and cable ties.

       I could now check to see if Y-axis harness would move freely when the Z-axis moved up and down. Again a large loop will provide the best service life of the wire inside the harness.

       The last harness to install was the memory card harness which plugs into the card reader as seen below (red wire toward the center of the enclosure).

       Next was the board side of the harness which was plugged into the “SP1” port of the board. The red wire is positioned toward the front (USB) side of the board...

       Lastly the enclosure fan was plugged into the harness which completes the wiring portion of the assembly ;0)

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