Tuesday, September 08, 2026
Small Square Findings and more breakage, Take 4
I took the Z axis off and followed my own instructions https://github.com/VikOlliver/RepRapMicron/wiki/Probe-Tip-Fabrication-And-Assembly to build three probes. When I started doing the second one, it was pretty obvious something was wrong because I had to raise it much higher above the etchant to break it clear of the meniscus. They came out like this:
Hmm, maybe one is usable but it looks a bit too sharp. After poking around at the Z axis I determined that the locknut at the top of the ZAxis Drive Screw was no longer in the right place. It seemed tight enough. It's possible it released and then re-tightened itself. It's also possible that the Flexure Coupling on the stepper motor has failed or compressed, or that I never had it right to begin with and just got lucky.
Anyway, it is re-tightened. I'll just chop the ends off and try again tomorrow.
I am still not capable of putting more than a couple of hours at a stretch in at the bench I'm afraid. The Doc is pleased with my progress, has upped the painkillers slightly, and - within sensible limits - is allowing me to drive again. So there's improvement somewhere anyway!
Oh, if anyone can donate me any single mode fibre cable, OS1 or OS2 or anything with a 9/125 fibre core or finer, would be appreciated. Why? Well, check out this video of someone else's micro-fabricator: https://youtu.be/UvV2CH5il3Q which is using a fibre to spot-cure resin. Not the approach I wanted to take, but they get more views than me so I have to get with the program and be relevant :) The same arrangement will work just fine on the RepRapMicron.
