The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

The New Hotness

  • MPCNC: Reinforced Z-axis Motor Mount

    PLA isn’t particularly strong, especially in small sections under high stress:

    MPCNC - Cracked Z Motor Mount
    MPCNC – Cracked Z Motor Mount

    I tried solvent-bonding + clamping the break, didn’t expect much, and wasn’t disappointed.

    Stronger versions exist:

    Z Upper Motor Mount
    Z Upper Motor Mount

    It adds a festive touch when done up in orange PETG:

    MPCNC - Reinforced Z Motor Mount
    MPCNC – Reinforced Z Motor Mount

    The attentive reader will note the missing head of the screw anchoring the mount to the left Z rail. Apparently a #32 drill was a bit too small to let the randomly chosen self-tapping screws thread themselves into EMT; they probably anchored a PCB to the plastic case of a long-forgotten lump of consumer electronics.

    It should last long enough for something else to let go …