Parts Needed
Instructions
Table Joint Alignment
PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE LINEAR RAILS AND RACK IS ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT FOR MACHINE PERFORMANCE. PLEASE FOLLOW STEPS CAREFULLY.
1. Clean the linear rail and rack ends on both table halves with a shop towel, as any debris can cause rough movements.
2. Carefully bring the table halves so they touch.
3. Grab a bubble level. Level the front half of the table using the AltMill wrench and 17mm wrench. Tighten the bottom nut, but leave the top nut of the levelling foot loose.
4. Repeat for the back half of the table, starting from the very back of the machine. When you reach the joint, place your bubble level on top of the rails and adjust the nearby feet so that both halves of tables are at the same height and level.
5. Loosely install six (6) M6-14mm BHCS and six (6) M6 T-nuts onto one Y-axis jointing plate. Mount the fasteners so that the screw heads are on the flat side, and T-nuts are on the side with the angled feature.
6. On the left side of the table, place the jointing plate over the joint at the Y-rails, with the angled feature sitting in the T-slot. It should sit centered on the rail joint. Do not tighten fasteners yet.
7. Grab the linear rail alignment tool and loosely secure it to the two (2) holes closest to the linear rail and rack ends.
8. Grab the short rack section and the rack alignment clamp, and place it over the joint at the linear rails and racks.
9. Fully secure in the following order:
i. Rack alignment clamp with the included screw.
ii. Then the linear rail alignment tool with the two screws.
iii. Finally, the jointing plate with the six M6 fasteners.
Again, we recommend using a drill at low torque first, then finishing with the hex key.
10. Use four (4) M4-18 SHCS to secure the linear rail and rack into the Y-axis rail extrusion. Alternate between the 4 screws when tightening, so they become fully secured at the same time.
11. Remove the rack alignment clamp and linear rail alignment tool.
12. Repeat this joining plate process on the right Y-axis.
❗If you are building the machine in the joinery configuration, secure the jointing plate offset from the center. The other alignment tools are mounted as usual.
13. Check the joint alignment by moving the linear guide over the joint area and look for any roughness. Also check that the ends of the Y-rails, linear rails and racks are level and flush.
Middle Crossbeam Assembly
1. Prepare the middle crossbeam by removing the M6 fasteners from the slot on both sides of the bracket. Then loosen the M6-14mm BHCS at the end of the bracket on both sides.
This should allow the bracket to pivot on the crossbeam.
2. Securely install the middle crossbeam mounting bracket onto the right Y-rail using three (3) M5-20mm XL SHCS, then use another three (3) on the other end of the middle crossbeam.
Make sure the top of the crossbeam is contacting the reference edge on the Y-rail.
3. Assemble the previously-removed M6 button head screws with the T-nuts into the slots on the bracket.
First, securely tighten the M6 button head with the T-nut that is on the side of the bracket directly under the crossbeam flange.
Then, securely tighten the remaining M6 fasteners on the bracket.