Fab@Home:Model 1 XY-Carriage

Step 2 Materials - Please ignore the acrylic piece on the bottom. I did things a little out of order, because I didn't have a heat gun or hair dryer readily available. Ultimately, the acrylic was a non-issue.

Step 2 Materials - A better look at the ring that needs to be removed. It comes as part of the pill block.

I used a special tool to get the ring out of the block, although a pair of sharp needle-nosed pliers will do the trick.

A better look at the ring.

Use the heat gun/hair dryer to warm up the block. After roughly a minute of heating, the block will have expanded enough that the bearing should drop right in (a little push may be needed, but it should not be difficult). If at first it doesn't seem to fit, just continue heating.

A look at the bearing inside the block. The heat gun had no affect on the acrylic.

The four blocks, complete with bearings inserted. Again, you do not need to have the acrylic pieces attached to complete this step.

Step 4 Materials

Step 4 Mid-Assembly - No screws yet

Step 4 Assembly - Don't tighten the screws down all the way yet. You'll need some play in the two acrylic pieces for step 5.

Step 5 Materials

Step 5 Mid-Assembly - No screws in yet. Apparently, I forgot to take a picture of the completed assembly, but you can see it in the step 6 pictures.

Step 6 Materials - Also, a good look at a completed part from Step 5.

Step 6 Materials - Another look, to make up for the picture lacking from Step 5.

Step 6 Assembly

Assembly Close-up

Step 7 Materials

Step 7 Assembly

Step 8 Materials

Step 8 Assembly

Step 9 Materials

Step 9 Materials - cont'd

Step 9 Assembly - Both completed parts, mirrors of each other.

The one on the left is from the first time through steps 4-7, while the one on the right is the second time through, using the base part from step 8.

Step 10 Materials

Step 10 Materials - cont'd

Step 10 Assembly

Step 11 Assembly

Step 12 Materials

Step 12

Step 12 Assembly

Step 13 Materials

Step 13 Mid-Assembly - Half of the inserts have been pushed into the acrylic

Step 13 Assembly

Assembly (cont'd)

Step 15 Assembly front

Step 15 Assembly back

Step 16 Assembly top

Step 16 Assembly front

Step 17 Assembly

Step 18 partial assembly

Tip: Put the side screw with its hex nut in first, and then slide the acrylic piece into place (you will need to move the screw and nut around a little so that the acrylic can slide on.

Step 18 assembly

Step 18 full assembly

Step 19 materials

Tip: first put the screws into the nut and slide the wave washers onto the screws

Line up the screws with the appropriate holes on the Y-carriage

Y-Carriage view

Do the same for the other side

Step 19 assembly

Step 20 materials

Screw motor into place

Thread motor shaft through Y-Carriage

Attach collar shaft at the end

Step 21 materials

Step 21

Step 22 materials

Step 22 assembly