(This is part of a multi-part post detailing my efforts to build a RepRap Mendel, an open source 3D printer.)

Introduction:

In my previous post, I triumphantly touted the completion of all blocks for the X, Y, and Z stages. Build completion was assured, and I’d be cranking out test prints by the weekend!

Y-Axis Assembly:

…Not quite. Having finished the Y-axis bearings, I set about installing those bearings on the Y platform as detailed in the Y-axis build instructions. Unfortunately, the lower bearings on the Y Bearing 360 parts collided with the metal slightly, and wouldn’t fit.

Mendel-parts previously failed to provide build instructions for their kit, as well as provide a sufficient number of nuts and bolts to build Mendel according to the standard build instructions. Therefore, I chalked this up to yet another mistake on the part of Mendel-Parts and grabbed my metal files.

Two hours later, the Y Bearing 360′s slid in the metal grooves correctly. Time to bolt them down. Attempting to do so, it quickly became clear that the 360 bearings were not going to bolt properly.

Faced with this, I reconsulted the part drawing and discovered I had built the Y Bearing 360′s incorrectly. Luckily, the filing I did to the metal plate had no impact on the finished design (it would still work). Still, many hours wasted, which was a bit of a disappointment.

For both the Y Bearing 360 and Y Bearing 180 parts, M4 40mm bolts are really needed to allow you to tighten or loosen the bearings and thus calibrate the Y-stage correctly. Unfortunately, the Mendel-Parts kit falls far short of providing enough bolts to assemble your Mendel according to the official Mendel build instructions, and do not at the time of this writing provide instructions of their own. Therefore, a lengthy process of “salvaging” M4x40 bolts from parts you’ve already built that could use shorter bolts was required. Below is a shot of the corrected Y Bearing 360′s.

And the assembled Y-axis:

Z Stage Threaded Rods:

The final portion of the Z-stage build is prepping the threaded rods used in the Z-stage. I skipped this step during my first run through the Z-stage, but went back to do it again. The Z-stage rods are shown below:

Much more work has been done on the Mendel build, so stay tuned the next few days for the next exciting installment in the series!