ShapeOko 2 – Assembly – part 1

Yes!! It’s finally time to start assembling my brand new ShapeOko 2. 🙂

Getting started

First of all I read all the way through the assembly on this page. It’s quite clear and informative so I guess that assembly will go smoothly. I started by counting everything in the box just to see that everything on the bill of materials was sent from Inventables – it was!

A box of parts
A box of parts

Software and testing the electronics

I installed the Universal G-code Sender as described. Then I unpacked the Arduino, the g-Shield, power supply and stepper motors and assembled the electronics on my desk to give it a test run as suggested. The instruction are clear and everything worked out of the box.

DSC01093
G-shield test

Assembling the wheels

Then it was time to start working on the mechanics by assembling the V-wheels and the smooth idlers – a lot of ball bearings and washers – but just work to be done.

V-wheel assembly
V-wheel assembly
Smooth idlers
Smooth idlers

Assembling carriage

Then it was time for the motor mount carriages – three in total: two for the Y-axis and one for the X-axis.

X-axis parts
X-axis parts
X-axis motor mount
X-axis motor mount

Z-axis assembly

The Z-axis assembly is much more complicated than both the X-axis and Y-axis assembly. It is comprised of several sub-assemblies: the Z assembly carriage, the spindle carriage, the Z-axis rail and finally the X-axis carriage. All these are bolted together in one sub gantry.

In the photo I’ve assembled the Z assembly carriage and the spindle carriage and all the remaining parts (except the X-axis motor mount carriage) are lined up for assembly.

Z-axis sub gantry
Z-axis sub gantry

This is as far as I got today. Now I need to be tapping the MakerSlide to make further progress – a process I’ve never done before so I’ll have to work slowly, carefully and patiently.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *