03. X-Axis Assembly

T-Slot extrusion 40120 - 522mm

Rat Rig Mill - 4160 Bearing end plate

Rat Rig Mill - X 40160 Plate

4x M12x25 Countersink screws

2x M3x30 Cap Head Screws

2x M3x16 Cap Head Screw

SN04-N2 Proximity Sensor

mill_x_endstop_mount printed part

2x M3x16 Cap Head Screw

SN04-N2 Proximity Sensor

mill_x_endstop_mount printed part

X endstop assembly

2x M3x30 Cap Head Screws

The endstop will be mounted with M3x30 cap head screw, on to the shown threaded holes.

Make sure the endstop is facing the same side as the bearing groove.

2x M12x25 Countersink screws

Rat Rig Mill - X 40160 Plate

T-Slot extrusion 40120 - 522mm

Secure the plate to one end of the extrusion as shown.

2x M12x25 Countersink screws

Rat Rig Mill - 4160 Bearing end plate

Secure the plate to one end of the extrusion as shown.

Ensure both plates are facing the same way

2x Linear Rail - MGN15 420mm + 2 x MGN15C carriage

20x M3x16 Cap Head screws

20x 4040 Drop-in T-Nut - M3

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.

Check this guide if one or more carriages don't move smoothly.

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

Place one X linear rail assembly on the designated T-slot.

Insert the two align_40120_mgn15 printed jigs in the T-Slot and rail.

Ensure the Y rail is sitting flush against the Mill front Y plate.

Make sure the align_40120_mgn15 printed jigs are correctly placed and centering the rail on the T-slot

Tighten the linear rails screws one at a time starting from the front and making your way towards the back, one by one.

MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.

Place the second Y linear rail assembly on the T-slot but DO NOT tighten the screws.

Remove the two align_40120_mgn15 printed jigs

Rat Rig Mill - X Gantry Plate

2x mill_bellow_holder assembly

4x M5x16 Low Head Screw

4x M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nuts

2x Nut Block for TR8x8

Do not misplace the TR8x8 blocks with the TR8x4 blocks. If uncertain, test by threading them onto the TR8x8 lead screw

24x M3x6 Cap Head Screws

Nut Block for TR8x8

M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

Insert the M5 Locking Hex Nuts in to the Nut Block

Prepare two assemblies.

Rat Rig Mill - X Gantry Plate

Ensure that the X gantry plate is not mistaken for the Y gantry plate. The X gantry plate features M3 threaded holes along its edges, whereas the Y gantry plate does not.

Nut Block for TR8x8 assembly from the last step.

The M5 Nylon Locking Hex Nuts, must be facing away from the Y gantry plate.

Gently tighten the M5x16 Low Head Screws on the designated holes.

Do not overtighten the screws as it will cause binding in the lead screw. Tighten until the nut block is flush with the plate and add half a turn on the screws.

Thread the M5x16 Low Head Screws on the designated slot, Do not tighten this Nut Block, it will be adjusted later.

These Screws must be installed on the M5 slot in the Y gantry plate.

Flip the X joiner assembly upside down.

mill_bellow_holder assembly

4x M3x6 Cap Head Screw

Do not overtighten the screws as you can damage the printed part.

Repeat the previous steps and install the second bellow holder.

Install the X Joiner assembly on the linear rails, as shown.

Using the 16x M3x6 Cap Head screws, fasten the XY joiner plate assembly to the mgn15 carriages.

MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.

Tip: Blue thread lock can be added to the thread of the M3x6 Cap Head screws.

While the second linear rail remains loose, the X plate should move smoothly without resistance. If you experience any binding or drag, slightly loosen the carriage screws, as they may be overtightened.

Be careful to ensure that the Y joiner plate carriages do not detach from the linear rail during the process.

Move the Y joiner fully to the front as demonstrated. Then, gradually move it toward the back, exposing one linear rail screw at a time, and tighten each screw as you progress.

Ensure that all linear rail screws are tightened from front to back. Avoid overtightening, as this may cause binding and restrict movement.

MGN15 Rails should be tightened to 98 N-cm of torque, overtightening the screws will result in rail binding.

Move the Y plate assembly slightly back to gain access to the last screws on the linear rail.

At this stage, the joiner plate should move back and forth smoothly. Test its movement to ensure it operates freely. If you encounter any resistance, adjust the screw tension as needed until the assembly moves without friction.

Leadscrew - TR8x8 Metric - 585mm

Jog Knob

Coupler - Disc Type

2x Ball Bearing 688ZZ

2x Shim - 12 x 8 x 1mm

2x Lock Collar

2x Thrust Bearing F8-16M

688ZZ Ball bearing

Push the ball bearing against the inner side of the plate, ensuring it stays inside the designated groove.

Push the Lead Screw through the hole in the ball bearing

Precision Shim 12x8x1mm

Slide the Precision Shim on to the Lead Screw

Lock Collar

Slide the Lock Collar on to the Lead Screw

Insert the lead screw until it reaches the Y joiner plate.

Screw the Lead Screw through both Nut Blocks under the Y joiner plate.

While threading the lead screw, ensure that it moves smoothly. It should thread effortlessly while the second POM block remains loose.

Gently tighten the screws on the second POM block while rotating the lead screw by hand. Monitor the resistance carefully—as soon as you feel any increase in resistance, stop tightening. Avoid over-tightening, as this could introduce unnecessary drag to the system.

Gently pull and push the lead screw along its axis to check for backlash. There should be no play when performing this movement. If you detect any play, tighten the screws slightly and test again. Repeat this process until the play is fully eliminated, ensuring a secure fit without introducing excessive resistance.

688ZZ Ball bearing - Push the ball bearing against the inner side of the plate, ensuring it stays inside the designated groove.

Lock Collar

Slide the Lock Collar on to the Lead Screw

Precision Shim 12x8x1mm

Slide the Precision Shim on to the Lead Screw

Insert the lead screw until it reaches the Rat Rig Mill - 4160 Bearing end plate.

Thrust Bearing F8-16M

Jog wheel

Install the thrust Bearing and Jog wheel on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw as shown

Ensure the lead screw surface is roughly 1-2mm inside the jog wheel

After positioning the jog wheel, tighten the two set screws to secure it in place.

Pull the X joiner plate away from the jog wheel, as to ensure the jog wheel and thrust bearing sit tight against the front Y plate.

Excessive force is unnecessary, as it may cause the lead screw to bind.

Push the lock collar against the Y front plate.

Tighten the set screw on the lock collar to secure it in place.

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

Install the Coupler - Disk Type on to the exposed end of the Lead Screw as shown

Gently push the coupler against the Thrust Bearing and tighten the set screw.

Push the lock collar against the Y rear plate

Tighten the set screw on the lock collar to secure it in place

Rotate the coupler to verify that the lead screw moves smoothly and the Y joiner plate operates as expected

Nema 23 Stepper Motor High Torque

4x 40mm Aluminium Spacer

4x M5x50 Cap Head Screw

mill_stepper_cable_management printed part

4x 40mm Aluminium Spacer

Nema 23 Stepper Motor High Torque

4x M5x50 Cap Head Screw

Assemble the components above as shown.

Tighten the set screw on the coupler, to secure the stepper motor shaft to it.

Insert the mill_stepper_cable_management printed part as shown.

4x M8x25 Cap Head Screw

4x M8 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

8x M8 Washer

Carefully place the X axis on the Mill, aligning the X and Y joiner plates as shown.

M8x25 Cap Head Screw

2x M8 Washer

M8 Nylon Locking Hex Nut

Assemble the components as shown.

Repeat for the other three joiner plate holes.

Rat Rig Mill - Bellow 11 Link

6x M3x6 Cap Head Screw

mill_x_umbilical_mount

M6x16 Cap Head Screw

M6 4040 Drop in T-nuts

Rat Rig Mill - Bellow 11 Link

M3x6 Cap Head Screw

Place the bellow on the designated location and secure it using 3x M3x6 Cap Head Screws on each end.

Repeat The previous Step and install the rear bellow cover.

mill_x_umbilical_mount

M6x16 Cap Head Screw

M6 4040 Drop in T-nuts

Assemble the parts as shown.