This is a printer i am making in which the z axis is the print itself. It prints the geared support structure which is lifted out of the printer as it prints, and would print whatever object inside the structure.

Link to quick video: [www.youtube.com]

Very interesting. Any idea how heavy a print the motor can lift?

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Ultra MegaMax Dominator 3D printer: [drmrehorst.blogspot.com]

thanks. Haven't tested steppers to their max yet but know they will not be sufficient for anything much bigger. Tried printing some planetary gearbox's but they had too much backlash,so going to get some metal ones

I used a 30:1 worm gear reducer to lift the Z axis in my printer. It's minimal backlash gearbox that comes with a NEMA-23 motor mounted on it, for about $100. I don't see any of them listed right now, but the seller had >800 of them when I bought mine a few years ago. It had no problem lifting about 7.5 kg that I tested it with. I didn't try any greater load than that as it was already 2x what I ever expect it to have to lift.

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Ultra MegaMax Dominator 3D printer: [drmrehorst.blogspot.com]

thanks for sharing the knowledge, going to try and track some down!