02. X-Axis Gantry Assembly

1000mm 40120 Extrusion

1500mm for the StrongHold ONE 1250x1250

6x M12 Washer

6x M12x45 Cap Head Screw

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - XY Joiner Plate Left

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - XY Joiner Plate Right

3x M12x45mm Cap Head Screw

3x M12 Washer

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - XY Joiner Plate Right

1000mm 40120 Extrusion

1500mm for the StrongHold ONE 750x1250 or 1250x1250

Place an M12 washer on to each M12x45 cap head screw and loosely screw them through the plate and in to the extrusion

3x M12x45mm Cap Head Screw

3x M12 Washer

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC - XY Joiner Plate Left

Assembly from the previous step

Place an M12 washer on to each M12x45 cap head screw and loosely screw them through the plate and in to the extrusion

Before continuing with the assembly, the gantry must be squared and all screws full tightened

Ensure the extrusion and the plates are pressed together with no gaps. If clamps are available, the assembly can be optionally clamped together for the remainder of this step.

Using an engineers square, or a flat edge, check that the side plates are flush with the extrusions at the top of the gantry

Fully tighten all six M12x45 screws on both ends of the gantry to secure everything together

Verify that all parts of the X-axis gantry assembly are still correctly aligned and adjust as necessary

2x Linear rail MGN15 1000mm

1500mm for the StrongHold ONE 1250x1250

50x M3x16mm Cap Head Screw

74x for the StrongHold ONE 1250x1250

50x 4040 Drop-in T-Nut M3

74x for the StrongHold ONE 1250x1250

2x Align 40120 MGN15 Printed Part

The linear rails are supplied with a protective oil coating on them. It is strongly recommended to prepare your work surface with paper towels and to wear disposable gloves.

Paper Towels

Linear Rail

With the rail still on the absorbent paper towels, carefully and slowly move the carriage from one end of the rail to the other

Small changes in resistance are normal, but the carriage becoming very hard to push, or binding completely are not

If the carriage does not move smoothly, or binds completely, refer to the Linear Rail Troubleshooting Guide

The linear rail carriages are not interchangeable. Do not try to use a carriage on a different linear rail than the one it was supplied with.

Do not allow the linear rail carriages to leave the end of the rail at any point

MGN15 Linear Rail

Insert an M3x16 cap head screw in each of the holes on the linear rail

Loosely thread a 4040 T-Nut on to each of the M3x16 screws

Repeat these instructions for the second linear rail

StrongHold ONE X-Axis Gantry Assembly from Step 3

MGN15 Linear Rail Assembly from the previous step

Install the two MGN15 40120 alignment tools as shown, this will make sure the linear rail is positioned correctly

Tighten every other M3x16 screw, starting from one end

Tighten the remaining M3x16 screws, starting from the same end as before

Remove the MGN15 40120 alignment tools

Assembly from the previous Step

Linear rail MGN15 1000mm

1500mm for the StrongHold ONE 1250x1250

Place the linear rail on to the 40120 extrusion as shown, do not tighten any of the screws at this point

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC XZ Joiner Plate

4x M5x16 Low Profile Cap Head Screw

2x Nut Block for TR8x8

4x M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

Nut Block for TR8x8

M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

Insert the M5 Locking Hex Nuts in to the Nut Block

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC XZ Joiner Plate

M5x16 Low Profile Cap Head Screw

Nut Block assembly

Assemble the components in the shown order and make sure the nuts on the Nut Blocks are not facing the XZ Plate.

Rat Rig StrongHold ONE CNC XZ Joiner Plate

16x M3x8mm Cap Head Screw

Position the MGN15 linear rail blocks so that the holes align with those on the XZ joiner plate

Install an M3x8 Screw through each hole in the plate, and in to the MGN15 linear rail carriage below, lighty tighten them

Push the XZ Plate to the left

Tighten the first M3x16 screw on the bottom rail

Push the XZ Plate to the right

Tighten the last M3x16 screw on the bottom rail

Tighten every other M3x16 screw, starting from one end

Tighten the remaining M3x16 screws, starting from the same end as before

If the X-axis binds or becomes tight, check that the lower rail is aligned correctly. Loosening the screws securing the lower rail to the 40120 extrusion and repeat the steps above. Do not overtighten the screws as it can cause the axis to bind.

Tighten the M3x8 Cap Head Screws on the XZ Plate.

1057mm TR8x8 Lead Screw (1557mm for a 1250x1250 machine)

2x 688ZZ Ball Bearing

2x Thrust Bearing F8-16M

3x Lock Collar 8mm

Lead Screw Tensioning Nut

2x Precision Shim 12x8x1mm

688ZZ Ball bearing

Push the ball bearing against the inner side of the plate.

688ZZ Ball bearing

Push the ball bearing against the inner side of the plate.

While performing this step, make sure to support the Lead Screw to prevent it from bending

Push the Lead Screw through the hole in the ball bearing

Precision Shim 12x8x1mm

Lock Collar

Slide the Precision Shim on to the Lead Screw

Slide the Lock Collar on to the Lead Screw

Nut Block for TR8x8

Screw the Lead Screw through both Nut Blocks under the XZ Plate.

Push the assembly to the left

Lock Collar

Do not tighten the screw on the Lock Collar yet.

Precision Shim 12x8x1mm

Slide the Precision Shim and the Lock Colar on to the Lead Screw

Push the Lead Screw through the Ball Bearing on the XY plate

Thrust Bearing F8-16M

Install the Thrust Bearing on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw as shown

Lock Collar

Install the Lock Collar on to the Lead Screw, don't tighten the screw yet

Thrust Bearing

Tensioner Nut

Install the Thrust Bearing on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw as shown.

Screw the Tensioning Nut on to the end of the lead screw.

Do not tighten the screw on the Tensioner Nut yet.

X - Gantry Assembly

Frame Assembly

It is highly recommended to have two or more people for the next few steps in particular

The X-Axis gantry is large and heavy and can cause injury if it were to fall

When lowering the X-axis gantry, make sure the plates at either end do not collide with the linear rail carriages or the lead screw components

Continue to support the X-axis gantry as it may tip forwards or backwards until secured

16x M4x18 Cap Head Screw

16x M4 Washer

8x M5x25 Cap Head Screw

8x M5 Washer

At least one other person should continue to support the X-axis gantry during this step

Align one of the HG15 linear rail carriages with the holes on the X-axis gantry plate

8x M4x18 Cap Head Screw

8x M4 Washer

Install an M4 washer on to each of the M4x18 screws, then insert them through the X-axis gantry plate, the HG15 spacer plate, and screw them into the MGN15 linear rail carriage

Repeat the previous steps for the left side of the assembly

Slowly and carefully move the X-axis gantry over the full length of the axis

Be mindful of the Nut Blocks, do not allow the gantry to collide with them!

4x M5x25 Cap Head Screw

4x M5 Washer

Once all four holes are aligned, install an M5 washer onto each M5x25 screw and insert them through the gantry plate, tightening them into the nut block

Repeat these instructions to secure the nut block to the other side of the X-axis gantry