Xcarve Z axis upgrade

1- Wich model fit my Xcarve:

all this ones

 

2- Why 8" of travel ?:

It's for the upper side,  if you use long toolings with this option you should be able to clear the bottom of the sider with the tool tip.

 

3- Why a longer front plate ?:

If you use extra short toolings and you have Y risers,  with this option you should be able to touch the wast board with the tool tip.

 

4- Can I reuse my original Z stepper motor:

Yes you can,  you need to remove the pulley on it.  Some have a pressed pulley and other with set screws.  If your pulley is pressed you can remove it with a puller,  cut it with a zip cut or any other method!!  You can do a search about that on the Xcarve forum for more examples!!

*** Some inventables stepper motor have a longer shaft so you will need to remove/cut +-1/8" ***

You can upgrade to a bigger motor like this one: 269oz-in stepper

Maybe it's time to upgrade all your axis with the bigger motor!!

 

5- Is it a difficult task to upgrade my Z axis:

No,  for most our Z axis model,  you only need to remove the original slider parts,  remove all the V-wheels and the acetal nut from the spindle mount. 

Mount the new slider to the X carriage and mount the spindle mount to the front plate of the new slider.

For the bolton slider you will need to keep some parts of your original one. 

** Maybe you will need to extend some wires for the motor.

After the mechanical you need to upgrade your GRBL settings,  here a good starting point:

CNC4newbie Z axis RECOMMANDED GRBL SETTINGS
TRAVEL---->      5"       6"       7"       8"
SETTING $ 102= 50,059   50,059   50,059   50,059

         112= 1500      2000     2000     2000

         122= 100       100      100      100

         132= 124       149      175      200



** If your Z axis is reversed,
you can reverse the Z direction in the Machine set-up if you use easel or you can Re-wire your stepper. Only to swap to wires of one phase.
** For better performance you can change your hardware microstep setting to 1/8 and re-adjust the setting $102.  Your Z axis will run better without a loud noise.