Improved X stage movement

I had noticed that the X stage threaded rod was a little off from the motor drive shaf, and it didn't move very easily. To correct this, I moved the nut to a new position, carefully measured against the actual rail when mounted between the roller skate bearings. After adjusted the nut (it can rotate slightly due to a stupid bend in the holder), it is now near-perfectly centered and movement is much smoother. This is one of the few things where accurate measurement is actually important.

Almost got a stage!

Got the teflon all nice and on. Cut the threaded rod shorter so I don't have to fiddle with the hole in the other end. Put the spring-tightened wheels on (instead of countersinking on the bearing arms, I put an extra nut between them and the plate, allowing the head of the bolt room to be there. Much easier. Don't know what the whole countersinking deal is, except to make it harder). Got some 9mm tubing from Dragefisken for free (thank you!). However, my drive shaft on the motors is 6mm, so I'll have to extend it somehow. Best bet is these little drill stops that happen to go from 6 to 10 mm, with a tightening screw. The alternative is to get a 6mm threaded rod, but that would require finding some 6mm tubing, which Dragefisken does not have. Trying with the drill stops first, even though they're 50kr apiece.

Slick!

Today I wrapped teflon tape around the sliding blocks on the X stage. I doubt that it'll be as durable as using teflon blocks as such, but it's what I could find. If it becomes a problem, I'll look online for real blocks. It may be a good idea to round the edges on the blocks, I'll see if they tear.

Also marked where the hole in the other end should go. I have cut the threaded rod long enough to go through the other end, which means the rod will not be hanging from the drive nut. I considered adding a drive nut in the other end, but I imagine it could cause problems if they are not perfectly aligned.

There are already some problems with the omega-shaped holder for the drive nut, as it has a groove that the nut can slide back and forth along. Not sure what to do about that. Glue might work, but that should be only on the holder, I want to be able to swap things out.

I'll need to grind down or cover the part of the rod that goes through the hole in the other end, and the fastening method to the motor is uncertain, probable duct tape for a proof of concept.

Progress: Stepper driver, X stage, endstops

With some help from a Norwegian friend, I have made significant progress.

I have the rails for the X frame bolted onto the end pieces.
I have the X stage acrylics mounted with nut and sliders (though I need to wrap some teflon around the sliders).
I have tested and fixed a soldering issue on one of the stepper drivers, it now works for all I can tell.
I have gotten an Ethernet cable that can actually communicate with the opto endstops.
I have tested the opto endstops, and found that they work... on and off. And not in the manner I expected.

I still need some way to connect the threaded rod to the motor, I figure duct tape will do for testing purposes. I am also out of solder.