Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes Hello Everyone! I'm designing an all-lead screw printer (see [url=http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/D3D_Printer_Design_Process#.22.23Verification_Steps_Taken_for_Lead_Screw_.2B_Stepper_Motor_Concept]here[/url]), and that's what got me started on this topic. The RepRap wiki page doesn't really adress X/Y lead screw usage, so I thought it should be filled in. Here are some of the questions I personally would like answered on such a page, but there's plenty of other interesting engineering questions related to quick lead screw moment. [list] - How to make it cheap? - How to make it wear resistant? - How to lubricate? - Could we rely on rotating lead screws for straightness? [/list] Basically, I'm asking after any knowledge about quick movements using stepper motors and lead screws... [b]Summary of my research so far:[/b] It works, we should do controlled tests and optimize it. [b]Successful builds[/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reVNrtsDfxQ]BetterHalf's video[/url], [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk9lhcTGSH4]SamP20's video of the ScrewRap[/url], [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZLJjZOI9Nw]Kyo Shinohara's Andamanite video[/url], [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VcPimOX_V0]Kyo Shinohara's Fina First Print video[/url] [url=http://www.instructables.com/id/An-Almost-Reliable-High-Precision-3D-Printer-Son-o/step6/Y-Axis/]Y-axis of the Son of a MegaMax instructable[/url] [b]Previous related discussion[/b] [url=http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,36928]Thread ending up talking about string drive[/url], [url=http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?177,248020]samp20's thread[/url], [url=http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?178,267835]nicholas.seward's Lisa Simpson thread[/url], [url=http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?2,432057]Short thread recommending to use two nuts[/url], [url=http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,71132,71250]Thread containing warnings that lead screws might be slow and expensive[/url] There's also this [url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/hackerspace_brisbane/L0XBbAgoD1o/yGy7GIaLTEwJ]Google Groups thread[/url] where user Buzz does a build, has some insights: [list] - Take steps to avoid entire lead screw moving in end-to-end direction - 5 starts is adequate [/list] ... and this [url=http://openbuilds.com/threads/adamantine.1371/]Openbuilds thread[/url] about Kyo's Adamantine build. [b]Related Wiki Pages[/b] [url=http://reprap.org/wiki/ScrewRap]ScrewRap wiki page[/url], [url=http://reprap.org/wiki/Leadscrew]Leadscrew wiki page[/url] (this is the one I want to improve) If you don't feel like an expert on lead screws, please share your thoughts anyways! Cheers! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,607341#msg-607341 Sat, 08 Aug 2026 05:53:09 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,863960#msg-863960 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,863960#msg-863960 Nuts with backlash correcton are good idea. Igus has sth like that.]]> ov_darkness Mechanics Wed, 11 Dec 2019 04:34:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862469#msg-862469 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862469#msg-862469
Quote
snowleopard
...

I am making now a printer using 12.5 pitch 8 mm igus
I dot wand the Pom nut to get warm on long prints so lubricate the nut
Using white oil (fda safe) and a gear pump

And the oil in the nut will eliminate backlash I hope

....


Are you serious ??????]]> MKSA Mechanics Thu, 14 Nov 2019 08:10:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862451#msg-862451 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862451#msg-862451 They have very nice mulistart leadscrews
But I can’t find them Anny more]]> snowleopard Mechanics Thu, 14 Nov 2019 04:43:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862450#msg-862450 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862450#msg-862450
If u can’t afford ballscrews best is have the led screw in an oil bath
Yes it’s harder to make but it’s easy to get 14 mm Multi Start 8mm leads-screws

Optional u van use Igus leadscrews ( eichen Berger)
Kost of one Meter is 50€ and nuts are about 15€

I am making now a printer using 12.5 pitch 8 mm igus
I dot wand the Pom nut to get warm on long prints so lubricate the nut
Using white oil (fda safe) and a gear pump

And the oil in the nut will eliminate backlash I hope

My current printer is using 2.5 mm pitch ball-screws
So the Printer is slow

And i am going to use the MKS 42 servo as Motor for xy and MKS SGEN 32 Bit board

I understand the longing for cheap parts but in my opinion misprints are more expensive

And for lead-screws u wand a stif frame]]> snowleopard Mechanics Thu, 14 Nov 2019 04:40:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862365#msg-862365 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862365#msg-862365 dc42 Mechanics Wed, 13 Nov 2019 01:21:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862322#msg-862322 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,862322#msg-862322
I have Made a printer using a 6 mm ball screw pitch 2.5
And iT works well but slow
The work area is 120x120x200 mm
An i used sneeberger guideways
IT is all overkil but My goal was to creatie a xy stage thats close to perfect
To test the effect of different print heads

The raison it prints slow is that the motors cant keep up the rpm
And its PowerD by a Rambo on 24 v but iT can not generale the steps fast

So for my version 2

- 32 bit printer board
- 12.5 mm pitch 8mm eichenberger lead crew plastic nut
The nut wil be cooled using oil provided big a gear pump
I use white oil fda approved
-going to use mks 42 servo as Motors they Kost 30 € now so way not
So I don’t lose steps and find the point we’re the board cant keep up]]> snowleopard Mechanics Tue, 12 Nov 2019 06:37:30 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,802948#msg-802948 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,802948#msg-802948 What I wasn't prepared for is artifacts coming out of the woodwork--turned out to be dirty power from the mains, and an Islatrol filter solved it...never saw such a thing with the belt driven machine using the same board/drivers/Meanwell (24V).
With 8x8 screws on x,y it would do 100mm/s easily, but I'm an old duffer, and usually print at 50 anyway.

Alas, I'm currently looking to refit the machine with 9mm belts. The torque moments from the screw keep loosening up the v-wheel eccentrics, and I have to readjust frequently--not what you'd expect from a sturdy machine, eh? Also in using extrusion, you cannot center the motive force, so it's always going to work against precision and longevity.
I've come to understand my mistakes with belts and the 2mm artifacts I could not get rid of--tensioning at installation is fine, re-tensioning after a few hundred hours of printing is not. Throw out the belts and restring the machine, because that slack is your pitch changing, and the teeth will 'snap' onto the sprocket teeth. Lesson learned. :)

Anyway, a pic before it's mamed. (lol)]]> Diggrr Mechanics Sat, 30 Dec 2017 00:49:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,801933#msg-801933 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,801933#msg-801933 MKSA Mechanics Fri, 22 Dec 2017 00:14:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,801723#msg-801723 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,801723#msg-801723
Anyway, my machine is still in the design iteration and construction phase and likely won’t be printing for another month or so but some top level design features are:
- It’s relatively large with a print envelope of roughly 480mm deep x 440mm wide by 550mm high
- Cube design with heavy duty 3030 aluminum profile
- Runs on 24V (except for the heated bed) with a DuetWifi controller and PanelDue touchscreen for the user interface
- Extruder (24V E3D V6) is fixed in Z and moves in XY via a single 2.4A 0.9deg NEMA17 motor on each axis with each motor/belt driving two 8mm diameter 12mm lead leadscrews (with 8mm linear rods adjacent to each leadscrew). The baseline design has a 40T drive pulley on each motor and 20T pullleys on the leadscrews but I can easily change the motor drive pulled out for a 30T or 20T.
- Heated bed moves in Z via a single motor/belt driving four 8mm diameter 4mm lead leadscrews (and again I have four 8mm linear rods adjacent to each leadscrew). Currently I’m using the same motor as I’m using for XY but depending upon how heavy the bed comes in I may have to upgrade the Z motor to a NEMA23
- Heating the bed accomplished by a 1200W 110V
- All belts are closed
- All steppers are actively cooled with a printed motor housing bracket/manifold and 40mm 24V fan

A few quick thoughts:
- I calculated that I should be able to get good speed out of my XY axis given I’m running the motors at 24V, they have high current capability of 2.4A, I’m using 12mm lead leadscrews, and I have the ability to vary the gear ratio from 1:1 to 2:1 in 0.5 increments.
- I bought a lot of my parts from Banggood and AliExpress. Quality varies wildly (and even in the same order) as does shipping time so my advice would be, since the stuff is so cheap, to order much more than what you need. I typically order 2x what I need at minimum and/or order the same part from multiple different sellers. For dimension critical parts you’ll want to cherry pick and have a big lot to pull from. For drive pulleys specifically order 5x what you need because 75% of what you receive will have misdrilled features, out of position holes, or just have knicks/dings/damage.
- I spent the money to get good rods, linear bearings, leadscrews, and controller/touchscreen. The frame is also custom length/drilled profile from Misumi but that’s really because I didn’t want to keep bothering my friend who has a mill and the profile isn’t anywhere near as expensive as most of the other misumi.

Anyway, if anyone is interested I can provide more info but either way this is a great thread!]]> doubleoerik Mechanics Wed, 20 Dec 2017 14:39:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,709324#msg-709324 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,709324#msg-709324 tobben Mechanics Fri, 23 Sep 2016 02:28:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,709310#msg-709310 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,709310#msg-709310
The bottom half of the image is the X axis parallel lines with spacing determined by the ball screw in the Y axis. The upper half is the Y axis parallel lines with spacing determined by the belt driven X axis. I think its obvious where the problem (small as it is) lies...


]]> the_digital_dentist Mechanics Thu, 22 Sep 2016 21:03:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708083#msg-708083 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708083#msg-708083
I'm very please with the outcome, there has been many revision and a very long time designing and testing different build

I'll be revising the appearance of the printer but keeping all mechanical exactly the same, and will be produced in transparent red PETG then treat with z-poxy]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Sat, 17 Sep 2016 15:08:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708078#msg-708078 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708078#msg-708078 tobben Mechanics Sat, 17 Sep 2016 14:57:31 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708077#msg-708077 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,708077#msg-708077
107.2mm x 96.64mm x 34.22mm

Printed at 50 micron without support

[attachment 83953 _20160917_174109b.jpg]]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Sat, 17 Sep 2016 14:48:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705531#msg-705531 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705531#msg-705531
I have a fair idea of cost on filament by the meters showing in repetier after slicing, as its roughly around 330m for a kg of pla and a bit more for abs]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Tue, 06 Sep 2016 05:58:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705495#msg-705495 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705495#msg-705495
12 mm rods are quite expensive where I live. How did you source them? Are they chromed?]]> tobben Mechanics Tue, 06 Sep 2016 04:00:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705398#msg-705398 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705398#msg-705398
the most fun part I had was watching the first layer from underneath, printer is so big I can just kinda get under the bed and look at it print, on first layer I have a around 650mm space to move about :)

running low on filament and cash, hopefully I get some more plastic soon and do a big print]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:31:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705387#msg-705387 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705387#msg-705387
Do you use 12 mm rods for the Z axis as well?]]> tobben Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:01:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705362#msg-705362 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705362#msg-705362
[attachment 83442 _20160905_165445.JPG]

[attachment 83443 _20160905_165501.JPG]

[attachment 83444 _20160905_165516.JPG]

[attachment 83445 _20160905_165516b.jpg]]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:09:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705346#msg-705346 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705346#msg-705346
next I look in to ease of assembly, although there aren't much more it can simplify

with the strength of the 12mm rods plus a solid design mounting, there isn't really need for 2 rods, as you can see from the test print, theres absolutely no chance of the guide shifting with those 12mm rods unless you let them loose :)

I'm printing the 3dbenchy at the minute, I will post up when its done, print setting as what 3dbenchy listed

maintenance should be fairly low once I add the servo probe, I'm not a huge fan on other sensors, as the proximity will not work since I don't have a metal plate, capacity was rather inconsistent and the sensor actually stopped working suddenly on the i3, lucky I happened to be looking at it, stopped it just as the nozzle made contact to the bed before it gets too far.]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 10:46:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705316#msg-705316 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705316#msg-705316
I find it interesting that you use only 1 smooth rod along each lead screw since I like to prioritize low parts counts.]]> tobben Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 07:53:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705250#msg-705250 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705250#msg-705250
I printed a 20mm cube on the i3 at 0.02mm and is no better than this cube at 0.25mm]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 03:34:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705242#msg-705242 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705242#msg-705242
What do you think about the cornering? They look a bit on the round side on the pictures. Do they feel sharp in your hand?]]> tobben Mechanics Mon, 05 Sep 2016 02:55:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705149#msg-705149 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705149#msg-705149
0.25mm layer height

100mm/s Print
100mm/s travel
20mm/s first layer
30mm/s outer perimeter
60mm/s inner perimeter
80mm/s infill
60mm/s skin infill


it was printed with 0 infill actually

bridging very well

so far so good

[attachment 83400 firstprinta.JPG]

[attachment 83401 firstprintb.JPG]


looking to print something big but doesn't use a lot of filament, running very low]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Sun, 04 Sep 2016 15:15:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705060#msg-705060 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705060#msg-705060 Anti-Backlash Nut Block for 8mm Metric Acme Lead Screw ?]]> tobben Mechanics Sun, 04 Sep 2016 08:50:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705042#msg-705042 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705042#msg-705042
there's virtual no noise from the screw and nut, all the noise you hear is from the motor and the rods and bearings, I'm using delrin anti backlash block, the delrin nut has no sound at all when turning the screw in it

some vibration noise from the Y axis probably due to the folgertech motor]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Sun, 04 Sep 2016 06:24:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705014#msg-705014 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705014#msg-705014
Quote
tobben
Thats interesting. What are the specs of the two different stepper motors (the Motech and the Folgertech one)?

I've noticed surprisingly high inductance in some shorter Folgertech 34mm Nema 17 motors before (see comments 14, 15 and 16 here: [opensourceecology.org]).

Are the axes much more noisy than belt-driven axes?

From what I have read, Folgertech used to supply 12V 0.4A stepper motors with their kits, which is a poor choice for a 3D printer - especially if you want high speed. I think they may have switched to a different motor spec in their more recent kits.]]> dc42 Mechanics Sun, 04 Sep 2016 03:25:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705008#msg-705008 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,705008#msg-705008
I've noticed surprisingly high inductance in some shorter Folgertech 34mm Nema 17 motors before (see comments 14, 15 and 16 here: [opensourceecology.org]).

Are the axes much more noisy than belt-driven axes?]]> tobben Mechanics Sun, 04 Sep 2016 03:12:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,704951#msg-704951 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,704951#msg-704951
the 2 32mm long nema17 was well able to move the big bed up and down with no problem, it has a fair bit of weight as Im using a 10mm thick 500 x 500 acrylic plate]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:57:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,704776#msg-704776 Re: Lead Screw usage for X and Y axes https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,607341,704776#msg-704776
not sure if I do it tomorrow, want a day off on my birthday, but then again, it can be a great birthday to have it up and running :)

boards are tested and ran very well, all set to plug and play.... I might just do it tomorrow if not I will on sunday :)]]> deaconfrost Mechanics Fri, 02 Sep 2016 14:21:17 -0400