# Z axis upgrade using Openbuild C beam **URL:** \ **Category:** Upgrades\ **Created:** [December 22, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765 "2016-12-22T18:38:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/1 "2016-12-22T18:38:06Z")
Hi all, I’ve decided to swap out the Z axis for a Openbuilds C beam linear actuator. I’m using the 250mm. I’ve started by building the C beam assembly and now i’m on to how to mount the Dewalt router. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/a/4/a42c6dcaf0781a7a1e0d0da1c85ffeb6970e61b8.JPG) When looking at it i’ve got a small issue. The inventable router mount has holes at 65mm centres and the plate on the C beam has holes at 60 and 40mm. My first thought it to make a adaptor plate which would fit between the two. I’ve ordered up some material for this and done the CAD drawings. Big thanks to who ever did the X carve model on Sketchup thats been very helpful. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/5/4/547caa48e6f44f6af557ed1183acbe3b059b5c6b.JPG) I’ve since had second thoughts and im thinking about turning the C beam round and mounting the plate to the cross carriage and fiting the router to the C beam. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/2/42c5cad66bf9ffdcebfd10f14663b06f4ec39674.JPG) I’m wondering if this will give me more travel for the router. I’m also planning a 50mm lift on the Y axis end plates. ---
**Author:** ![Deepnoizer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/deepnoizer/32/44439_2.png) [@Deepnoizer](https://community.inventables.com/u/Deepnoizer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/2 "2016-12-22T18:41:44Z")
Open builds is selling mount that fits the router just fine and fits the C beam plate by design. > **[Router / Spindle Mount](https://openbuildspartstore.com/router-spindle-mount/)** > > SHOP NOW -Router/Spindle Mount ! Fast Shipping from U.S. - Genuine OpenBuilds Parts - #1 Open Source Hardware I personally use 2 of them on Dewal but I don’t think its necesary ---
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/3 "2016-12-22T18:44:03Z")
Yeah, I’ve seen there mounts and well i’m not sold that it grips the router that well. It only fits round a very small area and i can see that give a large leverage on the router when cutting. I’m guessing that the same reason you went with two mounts. My other reason is by using a spacer plate i can mount the X carve router mount lower down. This will mean i should get more usable travel from the actuator. With the openbuild mount I can only mount the bracket at the bottom of the plate or C beam depending on which way round i fit it. With a spacer plate the router mount can be lower then the bottom of the C beam. My hope is this will give me more travel distance under neither the X axis carriage. Combined with the life on the Y axis i hope this will let me carve deeper objects. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/3/9/395533753bdedd6a6f1b2e8bf1a2052325f191af.png) ---
**Author:** ![Deepnoizer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/deepnoizer/32/44439_2.png) [@Deepnoizer](https://community.inventables.com/u/Deepnoizer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/4 "2016-12-22T18:58:42Z")
Yes, that was my logic but since than I tried with just single one and it is solid like a rock. Also keep in mind the pictures on their site are miss leading a bit and you can grip the router much higher for very long travel if needed. And there is nothing wrong with conversion plate, if you search forums there are plenty of users that did this approach for various router mounts and Z axis actuators. ninja edit: You can see in my monster carve thread how I used the mounts: > [@Monster Carve](https://community.inventables.com/t/monster-carve/18895/87): > > More progress this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/5 "2016-12-22T19:24:01Z")
I’ve been having a rethink. I think if i turn the actuator round and mount the plate to the X carriage rather then the C beam and mount the router to the C beam i might get more downward travel. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/7/5/75c4905ef8b23c0f1455e410f6875915844bd430.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Deepnoizer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/deepnoizer/32/44439_2.png) [@Deepnoizer](https://community.inventables.com/u/Deepnoizer)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/6 "2016-12-22T19:33:51Z")
We seen it done: > [@Kyoujin Mk1 - Rack & Pinion Conversion](https://community.inventables.com/t/kyoujin-mk1-rack-pinion-conversion/25304): > > I’ve decided to migrate away from GT2 belts (as in primary method of movement) to a R&P / Lead screw configuration. R&P on the X axis (3:1) and lead screws on the Y axis (2.77:1). Longer travel on Z. I am still using the old waste board for now, but that will quickly get pulled out soon. [IMG\_1245…](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/d/d/dd938da8310fcf8f534a706c54a4dace4c42197a.m4v) ---
**Author:** ![JeremySimmons](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jeremysimmons/32/68212_2.png) [@JeremySimmons](https://community.inventables.com/u/JeremySimmons)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/7 "2016-12-22T23:51:14Z")
plus one for the chalkboard drawing. digital chalk or analog (realworld)? ---
**Author:** ![WorkinWoods](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/workinwoods/32/44400_2.png) [@WorkinWoods](https://community.inventables.com/u/WorkinWoods)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/8 "2016-12-23T00:29:52Z")
what does the whole setup weigh? with the router? ---
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 8:27am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/9 "2016-12-23T08:27:14Z")
I painted a full wall in my office in chalk board paint. Means i can sketch stuff out on the walls. (yes i’m a big child… and its BRILLIANT) ---
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/10 "2016-12-23T20:11:57Z")
Right i’ve decided i will mount it with the moving plate to the X axis and the router on the C beam. I’ve got it mocked u at the moment. Waiting on the material to make spacers now. Using the top two holes which used to bolt the makerslide to the X carriage line up with two of the holes on the moving plate. Unfortunatly these arn’t threaded holes. This makes assembly difficult so i might open the holes up and tap the moving plate to take and M6 bolt. This means drilling holes and marks a point of no return. Put it all to one side now to enjoy Christmas. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/2/9/2901bedbb4c21051bc83af3abd68d56ff61ac9bd.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Alex1380](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/alex1380/32/68990_2.png) [@Alex1380](https://community.inventables.com/u/Alex1380)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/z-axis-upgrade-using-openbuild-c-beam/31765/11 "2017-01-03T18:16:52Z")
Right update on how i’ve been getting on. I had to wait a while to get the aluminium plate i needed due to the Christmas holidays. Anyway, I started by removing the old Z axis. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/5/6/563bdfe5bb01e2afd656a1a5ab1342e45ec02fb3.jpg) My plan was to use the 4 holes already in the X axis gantry. This would then fix to the carriage on the new Z axis. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/3/8/380ef6f841bb88664b03a9b67eba6e9990afcf80.jpg) Using a 10mm thick aluminium plate i drill and taped 4 holes to line up with the 4 5mm Dia holes in the x axis. 4 counter sunk holes with a clearance hole for an M5 where drilled to line up with the threaded holes on the Z axis gantry. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/e/2/e29a83fba8da41fbb567541417eb90e37ab5dd4d.jpg) This then bolts up to the new Z axis first ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/f/4fb7f577959f86eeaa4ca4843158c09941e807a6.jpg) And then bolts to the X axis ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/8/484feb81ac677ff5352c4566800eb9b4aa68d06f.jpg) This left me with a small problem, the bottom plate of the C beam sticks out and would have crashed in to the 10mm spacer. I trimmed the C beam bottom plate to clear. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/b/9/b9b535564612871f659220f8ffe8495ae53a9cea.jpg) Last job was to drill 4 new holes in the router mount. The two holes for the old derlin nut line up with two of the tracks so i also used these. Sliding T nuts in to the tracks i then bolted the whole thing up. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/0/7/07bf4d7dbf39fe87d6fae65b779b0e05024a47a8.jpg) I put the router in and quickly opened up machine inspector and re-calibrated the axis. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KIT2DeO20A?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque All in all it was fairly easy to do. If people are interested i’m happy to share a drawing of the spacer plate i made. Thanks Alex.