Z-Axis


Step 1: Attach the stepper motor to the Z-axis motor mount

  • Attach a motor to the z-axis motor mount using four M3 x 12mm screws.

  • The motor and encoder connectors should be facing the back flange of the mount.


Step 2: Attach the motor mount to the Z-axis extrusion

  • Attach the z-axis motor mount to the z-axis extrusion using a 60mm nut bar and M5 x 10mm screws.

  • The top face of the motor mount should be 80mm from the end of the extrusion.


Step 3: Attach the shaft coupling

  • Slide the shaft coupler onto the motor shaft and tighten the top screw with the 2.5mm hex key.


Step 4: Attach three cable carrier supports

  • Attach three vertical cable carrier supports to the z-axis extrusion using 40mm nut bars and M5 x 10mm screws.

  • Space the supports along the extrusion as shown.


Step 5: Attach the vacuum pump cover

  • Attach the vacuum pump cover to the z-axis extrusion using two tee nuts and M5 x 10mm screws.

  • The cover should be butted up against the lowest cable carrier support.


Step 6: Attach the vacuum pump

  • Fasten the vacuum pump to the vacuum pump mount using two 200mm zip ties.

  • Then attach the vacuum pump mount to the z-axis extrusion using a 60mm nut bar and two M5 x 16mm screws.

  • The mount should be butted up against the vacuum pump cover.



Step 7: Attach one more cable carrier support

  • Attach one more vertical cable carrier support using a 40mm nut bar and two M5 x 10mm screws.

  • The support should be butted up against the vacuum pump mount.


Step 8: Attach the z-axis to the cross-slide

  • Screw the leadscrew halfway into the leadscrew block.


  • Slide the z-axis extrusion through the v-wheels on the cross-slide until the leadscrew inserts into the shaft coupler.

  • Then tighten the coupling’s lower screw with the 2.5mm hex key.



Step 9: Install the hardstops

  • Attach the z-axis hardstops onto the back side of the z-axis extrusion approximately 200mm from the top of the extrusion and 100mm from the bottom of the extrusion using M5 x 10mm screws and tee nuts.

  • Later, you can quickly adjust these to physically prevent AgriBot from moving too low or too high within its working space.



Step 10: Add the vertical motor housing (optional)

  • If you plan on stopping assembly after this page, it is recommended to attach the vertical motor housing to the z-axis extrusion using M5 x 10mm screws and tee nuts now.

  • This will protect the motor from rain and other hazards until you resume assembly at a later point.

  • Once you resume assembly, you will need to remove the housing.

  • If you do not plan on stopping the assembly process now, you can skip this step and install the housing after the z motor and encoder cables have been connected in the next step.