Cable Z axis I decided to start the expansion panels for the Printed case and started with the Z axis. This meant I needed to replace the Z-lead screw with a longer one but figured while I had the machine apart why not try out a cable driven Z-axis especially after seeing how well the belt driven Z-axis works on bots like Printxel. It includes a cable tensioner that allows you to get the cable extremely tight. I have uploaded the files and source to https://github.com/Intrinsically-Sublime/Tantillus . Please note these are the first release of the cable driven Z-axis. Known issues: The endstop mount is now integrated into the upper Z mount bracket and does not work well with long hotends (J-head MK-IVb) and may also have a slight issue with the J-head MK-Vb's I supplied with kits since they are slightly longer than normal MK-Vb's. There is an easy work around using the original endstop bracket. BOM: 2 - 608 bearings 5 - #4 or M3 grub screws 3 - #4 or M3 nuts 4 - #6 x 5/8" or M4 x 16mm socket head cap screws 1 - zip tie 1 - 5/16" (maybe 8m) x 22mm smooth rod for upper idler bearing + original hardware used to install Z brackets Notes: Print the lower drum with only perimeters, zero retract, no wipe (it must be perfectly smooth). Depending on the hotend used it can give you an additional 15mm of travel on Z. You may need to re-tension the cable a few times adding knots until all the slack has come out of the knots and stretched the cable as far as it can be stretched. My new steps per mm on Z are 100.66 New max acceleration on Z is 8000 New Z jerk is 10.0 Complete assembly for 215mm tall build area machine. [img]http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?279,file=12924,filename=CIMG2651.resized.JPG[/img] Lower bracket with motor, bearing and cable drum. [img]http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?279,file=12925,filename=CIMG2650.resized.JPG[/img] Upper bracket with idler and built in endstop mount. [img]http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?279,file=12928,filename=CIMG2649.resized.JPG[/img] Cable tensioner. [img]http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?279,file=12929,filename=CIMG2647.resized.JPG[/img] I will try and upload some pictures of the finished machine soon. Here are some prints from it. They are 215mm tall and the line near the top of Sappho's head is from my bed clips hitting the case and stopping the z-axis from moving down properly. [img]http://forums.reprap.org/file.php?279,file=12930,filename=CIMG2652.resized.JPG[/img] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,188149#msg-188149 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 23:45:51 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,536765#msg-536765 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,536765#msg-536765
Thanks.]]> zungmann Tantillus Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:56:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,459660#msg-459660 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,459660#msg-459660 Has anyone else tried to gear down the z-azis by a printed gear? Results?]]> Simplemind Tantillus Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:45:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,350899#msg-350899 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,350899#msg-350899
Quote
jzatopa
sublime did you ever try GT2 belt for your Z axis?

I have not. Ingentis uses them and Printxl and Up to name a few use some kind of belts for their Z axis. It should work well, I just have a fascination with cable drive. I even have a set of gt2 belts and pulleys sitting on my shelf for almost two years that I've yet to use despite designing and building a new machine.]]> Sublime Tantillus Tue, 06 May 2014 01:05:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,350885#msg-350885 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,350885#msg-350885 jzatopa Tantillus Mon, 05 May 2014 23:06:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,335533#msg-335533 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,335533#msg-335533
Quote
Dansvidania
I see. Do you have some guideline to follow on printing the pieces for this mod a part from the drum? I mean number of shells, infill % .. anything.


Thank you in advance.

The way the parts are designed if you use 2-3 perimeters with 20%-40% octagonal/rounded infill (30%-60% line infill) using a 0.5mm nozzle on all the parts you will end up with almost solid parts. Some of the parts actually have internal cavities to force extra perimeters where needed to make the parts stronger. I would add an extra perimeter if using a 0.35mm nozzle.]]> Sublime Tantillus Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:08:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,335470#msg-335470 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,335470#msg-335470

Thank you in advance.]]> Dansvidania Tantillus Sat, 05 Apr 2014 09:03:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,330337#msg-330337 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,330337#msg-330337 Sublime Tantillus Wed, 26 Mar 2014 10:35:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,330324#msg-330324 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,330324#msg-330324
I already posted this question but I probably posted it in the wrong thread: Is there a particular reason to use a printed drum to wrap the spectra line on the Z motor instead of using the motor shaft itself?

I was thinking to drill the shaft and use the same principle used for the drives on X and Y. Based on some very simple (and maybe wrong?) calculation that should allow for more resolution in the movement. So I guess Sublime figured out some problem that would come up with this system?]]> Dansvidania Tantillus Wed, 26 Mar 2014 10:06:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,325515#msg-325515 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,325515#msg-325515



]]> Sublime Tantillus Sat, 15 Mar 2014 20:52:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257462#msg-257462 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257462#msg-257462
Thanks for the tip about recalculating the steps for the Z axis, I will be sure to do that once I get everything put back together.

Thank you,

Cameron]]> cameronm Tantillus Mon, 21 Oct 2013 19:13:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257057#msg-257057 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257057#msg-257057 Sublime Tantillus Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:58:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257055#msg-257055 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257055#msg-257055
Z-Settle should only be used on machines that have backlash on the Z axis. If your machine has an antibacklash nut setup with the spring in the middle it should have little to no backlash and not need Z-settle. Z-lift on the other hand should only be used in rare cases where you have collisions with curling edges and possibly small diameter posts that may get broken off.]]> Sublime Tantillus Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:55:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257038#msg-257038 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,257038#msg-257038
Again thank you,

Cameron]]> cameronm Tantillus Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:57:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,256969#msg-256969 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,256969#msg-256969
To improve the print be sure you have retraction, wipe and seam hiding turned off. You can also try increasing the cooling and if you have enough cooling you can try increasing the print speed and or decreasing the temperature. After that you could try using Jitter to randomize the starting points and hopefully eliminate the line that is causing the issue.]]> Sublime Tantillus Sun, 20 Oct 2013 16:12:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,256946#msg-256946 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,256946#msg-256946
I have decided to print up the parts for the cable z but I have a question regarding the drum. How perfectly round does it have to be? I measured the roundness with a caliper and it has a range of .64mm. Will any imperfections on the drum show up in the prints on the Tantillus? I am thinking it must be a calibration error on my machine. But what's strange is at the seam of the print is where the number gets to be the highest, but that's also dead on to be the y axis too.

What do you think?

Thank you,

Cameron]]> cameronm Tantillus Sun, 20 Oct 2013 14:49:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,239251#msg-239251 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,239251#msg-239251
The limitation of resolution is a result of the drum size as you speculated combined with the microstepping. For a machine like Tantillus with a light weight bed that moves with gravity we can rely on the microstepping even with the limited resolution it offers. But for a larger/heavier bed you may want it geared in a way that allows for the layer heights you want when using whole steps.]]> Sublime Tantillus Sat, 24 Aug 2013 14:10:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,239173#msg-239173 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,239173#msg-239173
I'm designing a resin dlp system, and I'm thinking to make cable based z axis...I don't understand the limiting factor of the layer height....Can I achieve 0'05 mm layer heights??

By the moment i'm using leadscrew with antibacklash nut, but the possibility to use cable is very interesting, for reduce costs and minimize woobling.

What do u think??

I bet the steps unit are related to the diameter of the drum and the microstepping that I use...it's true??

Thanks a lot in advance!!]]> amph Tantillus Sat, 24 Aug 2013 08:32:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238472#msg-238472 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238472#msg-238472 nic0laz Tantillus Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:42:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238330#msg-238330 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238330#msg-238330 steps_per_mm*(requested_distance/actual_distance_moved) , enter the new steps per mm in the firmware, upload the updated firmware and repeat until correct.

Once you have the steps per mm for your machine then go to the Tantillus calculator and enter your final steps per mm and click calculate. It will then give you a list of possible layer heights and their rounding error per layer.]]> Sublime Tantillus Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:03:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238186#msg-238186 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,238186#msg-238186
I hope to get it running by this weekend.]]> nic0laz Tantillus Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:26:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,231950#msg-231950 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,231950#msg-231950 Sublime Tantillus Fri, 02 Aug 2013 01:32:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,231797#msg-231797 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,231797#msg-231797 SkyArcher Tantillus Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:30:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213479#msg-213479 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213479#msg-213479
Haven't tried 1/32.]]> lajos Tantillus Wed, 29 May 2013 21:44:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213110#msg-213110 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213110#msg-213110 Sublime Tantillus Tue, 28 May 2013 21:45:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213092#msg-213092 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,213092#msg-213092
I had a question though, what do you think about running the SD8825 stepper drivers from panucatt for 1/32? should give the cable Z back some of it's resolution for low layer heights? Also thinking about running it on my airtripper I hear if you increase the current setting from 1/16 you won't lose torque or generate more heat.]]> goopyplastic Tantillus Tue, 28 May 2013 19:31:10 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212708#msg-212708 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212708#msg-212708
I glued the parts with the z carriage assembled and mounted to a board and made sure that everything was moving nice and smooth before the jb welded it.

Now that I have the tantillus near completion, probably the first thing it will make is another set of tantillus parts so I can have a machine that has nicely fitting parts, like it was designed ; )]]> lajos Tantillus Mon, 27 May 2013 22:05:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212697#msg-212697 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212697#msg-212697 -------------------------------------------------------
> My z assembly was a bit loose, maybe because I had
> to clean out the holes where the z lift attaches
> to the arms, so I jb-welded the z arms and z lift
> together. Jb weld made it rock solid.

With the lead screw version that is supposed to be a little lose and move around in X and Y to absorb the wobble of the lead screw. With the cable it does not need to be lose but I could see having it glued to narrow or wide possibly over constraining the bearings a little.]]> Sublime Tantillus Mon, 27 May 2013 20:43:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212696#msg-212696 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212696#msg-212696 -------------------------------------------------------
> Been running my cable z for a day or so now, I
> notice that during printing and maybe during layer
> changes the z platform will shift laterally a
> little momentarily but it seems to settle back in
> place where it should. I seem to recall my screw
> driven z doing the same, have you ever seen this?
>
> I should also add that it is working great so far!

I can't say I have seen it happen and I am not sure how it would be possible if the bearings fit the rods really well as well as the bed being bolted down really tight. Is it side to side (X direction) or front to back (Y direction)?]]> Sublime Tantillus Mon, 27 May 2013 20:38:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212692#msg-212692 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212692#msg-212692 lajos Tantillus Mon, 27 May 2013 20:09:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212320#msg-212320 Re: Cable Z axis https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?279,188149,212320#msg-212320
I should also add that it is working great so far!]]> goopyplastic Tantillus Sun, 26 May 2013 21:03:07 -0400