• Assembly Instructions
  • Step 1: Gather the Parts and Tools
  • Step 2: Attach the Delrin Leadscrew Block
  • Step 3: Attach the Stepper Motor
  • Step 4: Add on the Z-Axis V-Wheels
  • Step 5: Add the Gantry V-Wheels
  • Step 6: Add the Cable Carrier Mounting Bracket
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Inspect the delrin leadscrew block
• Change Log
• Room for Improvement

Rotate, pan, and zoom

Mouse and trackpad: Left-click to rotate, right-click to pan, and scroll to zoom. Touchscreen: Use one finger to rotate, two fingers to pan, and pinch to zoom.

Assembly Instructions

45 minutes

This is the estimated time it will take to assemble the Cross-Slide.

Step 1: Gather the Parts and Tools

Gather all the cross-slide parts from the table below and lay them out in a logical manner. To complete the assembly, you will also need the following tools:

• 3mm hex (allen) wrench
• 8mm wrench

Note: Not all required parts are shown in this image.

Part Name	Description	Qty.
Cross-Slide Plate	5mm thick aluminum	1
Complete V-Wheels	Includes one polycarbonate wheel, two stainless steel rubber sealed ball bearings (16mm OD, 5mm ID, 5mm thick, trade name: S625-2RS), and one precision shim (10mm OD x 5mm Bore x 1mm thickness)	6
6mm Aluminum Spacers	5mm bore, for offsetting the V-wheels from the plates	4
6mm Eccentric Spacers	For adjusting the distance between the V-wheels	2
M5x30mm Screws	Stainless steel type 316, 0.8 thread pitch, low-profile 3mm hex heads	6
Cable Carrier Mounting Bracket	3D printed plastic	1
M5x10mm Screws	Stainless steel type 316, 0.8 thread pitch, low-profile 3mm hex heads	4
M5 Locknuts	M5 stainless steel locknuts with nylon insert, 0.8mm thread pitch	12
Leadscrew Block	Delrin, for the z-axis leadscrew to attach to	1
M5x16mm Screws	Stainless Steel, for attaching the leadscrew block to the Cross-Slide Plate	4
NEMA 17 Stepper Motor	Dual 5mm shafts	1
NEMA 17 Cable	2.5m length	1
Rotary Encoder	Differential output, 200 line/rev minimum, 5mm bore	1
Rotary Encoder Cable	2.5m length	1
Motor Housing	Waterproof 3D printed plastic	1
M3x10mm Screws	Stainless steel, for attaching the stepper motor to the mounting plate	4
GT2 Pulley	Aluminum, 20 tooth, 5mm bore	1
M3x5mm Setscrew	Stainless steel, knurled end, two per GT2 pulley	2

Step 2: Attach the Delrin Leadscrew Block

Use two M5x16mm screws and two M5 locknuts to attach the delrin leadscrew block to the cross-slide plate.

Plate orientation is key

Its pretty easy to orient your cross-slide plate wrong and attach a bunch of components to it facing the wrong direction. Take your time to study the photos in this step to ensure you attach things on the correct side of the plate the first time.

Step 3: Attach the Stepper Motor

Use four M3x10mm screws to attach the stepper motor and motor housing to the cross-slide plate. Make sure the motor and housing are on the same side of the cross-slide plate as the delrin leadscrew block, and that the motor’s wiring and the motor housing’s open side are facing down towards the delrin leadscrew block.

Slide a GT2 pulley onto the stepper motor shaft.

Make sure that one of the setscrews is lined up with the flat spot of the shaft and then tighten the setscrews with the 2mm driver.

Step 4: Add on the Z-Axis V-Wheels

Add a V-wheel with an eccentric 6mm spacer to the hole nearest the middle of the cross-slide plate. The V-wheel should be on the same side of the plate as the other components and secured with a washer and an M5 locknut on the other side.

Using M5x30mm screws, attach two V-wheels with normal 6mm spacers to the corner holes of the cross-slide plate. The V-wheels should be on the same side of the plate as the motor and the delrin leadscrew block. Secure these wheels with a washer and an M5 locknut on the other side of the plate.

Step 5: Add the Gantry V-Wheels

Flip the cross-slide over so that all of the components you have added so far are facing away from you.

Add a V-wheel with an eccentric 6mm spacer to the hole in the middle of the bottom edge of the cross-slide plate, nearest the delrin leadscrew block

Using M5x30mm screws, M5 washers, and M5 locknuts, attach two V-wheels with normal 6mm spacers to the holes in the middle of the left and right edges of the cross-slide plate.

Note: this picture does not show the other components attached yet. The other components should be facing away from you.

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Step 6: Add the Cable Carrier Mounting Bracket

Use two M5x16mm screws and M5 locknuts to secure the 3D printed cable carrier mounting bracket to the cross-slide plate. The bracket should be on the opposite side of the plate as the motor. The bracket should be oriented such that the bracket part is below the mounting screws.

Congrats!

You’re now finished assembling the cross-slide.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Don't forget about general maintenace

The tips below apply specifically to the cross-slide and no other components of your FarmBot. Make sure to view the General Maintenance page as well for system-wide tips.

Inspect the delrin leadscrew block

Over time, it is possible for the delrin leadscrew block to wear down. This can introduce play into the system that decreases z-axis precision, which can cause issues with the mounting and dismounting of tools.

Once per year

Inspect the delrin ledscrew block for signs of wear. You can do this by gently pushing and pulling up and down on the leadscrew to see if you can feel any looseness in the system. If you detect there to be a large amount of play, replace the leadscrew block as soon as possible.

Change Log

• Cross-slide plate is larger and has more V-wheels to accommodate the larger gantry main beam and provide a more rigid connection with the Z-axis extrusion and the gantry main beam

Room for Improvement

• It can be difficult to fit the rotary encoder and motor cables and connectors through the slot in the plate. This slot will be enlarged.
• The long cable carrier mount should have a gusset to prevent drooping in the hot sun. The orientation should be flipped so that a gusset can be placed underneath just like the short cable carrier and driveshaft mounts and supports.
• The gantry main plate holes for eccentric spacers are slightly too small. This means that a hammer is required to fit the eccentric spacer into the hole. Increasing the diameter of the hole slightly will allow the spacers to fit in without tools.