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C-Beam Actuator Kit – 1000/1500mm
Getting Started
Before starting any build, it is a good practice to get organised. Start by unpacking all parts received and checking each part off against the Bill of Materials mentioned below:
Bill of Materials
The above Bill of Materials is a general list for the base C-Beam actuator pack.
Actuators over 1000mm in length will come with additional tensioning hardware as seen below.
An additional gantry pack will be supplied based on your selection. See the appropriate build section (3.1 – 3.3) to check that you have a complete set of parts.
Tools Required
Pre-Assembly Notes
1.0 About the C-Beam Actuator
Each C-Beam Actuator comes with a set of spacers, V-Wheels, bolts, electronics, a nut block and your chosen C-Beam Gantry Plate. Please find the appropriate guide for your chosen gantry kit (3.1-3.3), check your parts against the Bill of Materials, and follow the assembly guide carefully for the best results.
2.0 Wheel Assembly
There are two types of wheel kits used on our C-Beam Gantry’s; the Mini V Wheel Kit and the Solid V Wheel kit. Please make sure to follow the instructions, as getting the wheels apart is quite a feat.
NOTE: DO NOT FORGET THE SHIM IN BETWEEN THE TWO BEARINGS.
These C-Beam Gantry systems require 4 or 8 Wheel Assemblies. In this manual item 21 refers to your gantries wheel assembly. The parts required to complete these assemblies are shown in the tables below. Follow the below-mentioned steps to complete one wheel assembly, then repeat to complete the rest.
2.1 Mini V Wheel Assembly
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Step 1. Place the Mini V Wheel (B) on a flat surface and insert one 105ZZ Bearing (A).
Step 2. Flip the Mini V Wheel (B) and place the Precision Shim (C) on top of the inner face of the already inserted bearing.
Step 3. Insert a second 105ZZ Bearing (A) in the Mini V Wheel (B) so that it rests on the Precision Shim (C).
This will complete 1 wheel assembly. For reference, see the Figure 1 above.
2.2 Solid V Wheel Assembly
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Step 1. Place the Solid V Wheel (B) on a flat surface and insert one 625 2RS Bearing (A).
Step 2. Flip the Solid V Wheel (B) and place the Precision Shim (C) on top of the inner face of the already inserted bearing.
Step 3. Insert a second 625 2RS Bearing (A) in the Solid V Wheel (B) so that it rests on the Precision Shim (C).
This will complete one wheel assembly. For reference, see the Figure 2 above. In this manual item 21 refers to your gantries wheel assembly.
3.0 Gantry Assembly
Each gantry assembly has a similar set of components, the major difference between each assembly is the quantity and type of Wheel Assembly’s (21) and the type of Gantry Plate (22). Please make sure you follow the correct set of instructions in their entirety to produce the best results.
3.1 C-Beam Gantry
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Step 1. To attach the Eccentric Spacers (17) and Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the largest hole on the outside edge of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide an Eccentric Spacer (17), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm. Make sure the smaller diameter side of the Eccentric Spacer is inserted into the plate.
Step 2. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 3. To attach the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 6mm (20) and Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the hole shown in Figure 3 on the outside of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide a Metric Aluminium Spacer – 6mm (20), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm.
Step 4. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 5. Repeat Steps 1-4 on the opposite side of the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22). See Figure 3 for reference.
NOTE: For best results, tighten the wheels completely then loosen one turn.
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Step 6. Attach the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13) by inserting 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15) through the top holes on either side of the slot, then slide on the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 3mm (19).
Step 7. Insert 2x Nylon Insert Lock Nuts – 5mm (14) into the hexagonal openings on the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13), then slide the Nut Block assembly onto the 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15), securing the whole assembly in place by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key.
3.2 C-Beam XL Gantry
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Step 1. To attach the Eccentric Spacers (17) and Solid V Wheel Kit (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate – XL (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the largest hole on the outside edge of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide an Eccentric Spacer (17), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Solid V Wheel Kit (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm. Make sure the smaller diameter side of the Eccentric Spacer is inserted into the plate.
Step 2. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws (16) with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 3. To attach the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 6mm (20) and Solid V Wheel Kit (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the hole shown in Figure 6 on the outside of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide a Metric Aluminium Spacer – 6mm (20), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Solid V Wheel Kit (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm.
Step 4. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 5. Repeat Steps 1-4 on the opposite side of the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22).
NOTE: For best results, tighten the wheels completely then loosen one turn.
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Step 6. Attach the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13) by inserting 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15) through the top or bottom set of holes about the centre hole, then slide on the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 3mm (19). See Figure 7 for reference.
Step 7. Insert 2x Nylon Insert Lock Nuts – 5mm (14) into the hexagonal openings on the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13), then slide the Nut Block assembly onto the 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15), securing the whole assembly in place by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key.
3.3 C-Beam Double Gantry
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Step 1. To attach the Eccentric Spacers (17) and Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate – Double Wide (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the largest hole on the outside edge of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide an Eccentric Spacer (17), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm. Make sure the smaller diameter side of the Eccentric Spacer is inserted into the plate.
Step 2. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 3. Repeat Steps 1-2 for each of the largest holes on the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22). The top of Figure 9 shows proper placement of the eccentric wheel assemblies, whereas Figure 11 shows a full set of wheels for each side of the C-Beam Gantry Plate – Double Wide.
Step 4. To attach the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 6mm (20) and Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) to the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22), insert a M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm (16) through the hole shown in Figure 9 on the outside of the C-Beam Gantry Plate, then, in this order, slide an Metric Aluminium Spacers – 6mm (20), a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm (18) and a Mini V Wheel Assembly (21) onto the M5 Low Profile Screw – 27mm.
Step 5. Secure this wheel assembly in place with a Nylon Insert Lock Nut – 5mm (14) by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key while holding the Nylon Insert Lock Nut with an 8mm Spanner.
Step 6. Repeat Steps 4-5 for each of the holes in a vertical line to the first assembly on the C-Beam Gantry Plate (22). The bottom of Figure 9 shows proper placement of the wheel assemblies, whereas Figure 11 shows a full set of wheels for each side of the C-Beam Gantry Plate – Double Wide.
NOTE: For best results, tighten the wheels completely then loosen one turn.
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Step 7. Attach the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13) by inserting 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15) through the top or bottom holes on either side of the centre slot, then slide on the Metric Aluminium Spacers – 3mm (19).
Step 8. Insert 2x Nylon Insert Lock Nuts – 5mm (14) into the hexagonal openings on the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13), then slide the Nut Block assembly onto the 2x M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm (15), securing the whole assembly in place by tightening the M5 Low Profile Screws with a 3mm Allan Key and an 8mm Spanner. See Figure 10 for reference.
Your completed Gantry will be represented with the letter “G” for the remainder of these instructions.
4.0 C-Beam Assembly
4.1 Gantry Installation
Each gantry uses a threaded nut block to translate the rotational motion of the lead screw into linear motion for the gantry. Regardless of the different gantry designs, this translational system is identical.
Step 1. Thread the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3) roughly 300mm into the Anti-Backlash Nut Block (13) attached to the gantry assembly (G).
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Step 2. Dependant on your gantry, slide the V-Wheels into the grooves of the C-Beam (7) V-Slot:
- C-Beam Gantry (Figure 13) – Slide the Mini V Wheel Assemblies into the opposing grooves on the inside of the C-Beam (7) Channel.
- C-Beam Gantry XL (Figure 14) – Slide the Solid V Wheel Assemblies onto the outside top grooves of the C-Beam (7).
- C-Beam Gantry Double Wide (Figure 15) – Slide the Mini V Wheel Assemblies into the opposing grooves on the inside of the C-Beam Channel (7).
Step 3. Turn the eccentric spacers with the 8mm spanner to tension the gantry into place. The gantry should roll smoothly in the v-slot grooves. Non-linear or stuttering movement are both outcomes of misaligned eccentric spacers or over/under tightened wheel assemblies.
4.2 End Assembly
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Step 2. Slide a Lock Collar – 8mm (4) onto the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3) followed by an 688Z Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 (1). Insert the 8mm Metric Lead Screw into the C-Beam End Mount’s (8) centre hole so that the end of the Lead Screw extends roughly 20mm past the end.
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Step 4. To prep the motor side mounting plate, line up the four counterbored mounting holes on the C-Beam End Mount V3.0 (8) with the top two and middle two threaded holes on the end of the C-Beam (7) with the counterbored side of the C-Beam End Mount facing out. Insert the 4x M5 Low Profile Screws – 20mm (9) through the plate and secure the C-Beam End Mount to the C-Beam using a 3mm Allen Key.
Step 5. Slide a Lock Collar – 8mm (4) onto the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3) followed by an 688Z Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 (1). Insert the 8mm Metric Lead Screw into the C-Beam End Mount’s (8) centre hole so that the end of the Lead Screw extends out from the plate roughly 30mm.
4.3 Motor Assembly
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Step 1. Slide the Thrust Bearing (23) onto the protruding 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3) and push it against the C-Beam End Mount (8). Screw the Lead Screw Tensioning Nut (24) onto the remaining 8mm Metric Lead Screw but leave loose for proper tensioning in section 6.
Step 2. Loosen and slide the 6.35 x 8mm Flexible Coupling (5) onto the protruding end of the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3).
Step 3. Insert the M5 Low Profile Screws – 60mm (11) into the four mounting holes of the Nema 23 Stepper Motor 1.26N.m (2), then slide the M5 Round Spacers – 50mm (12) onto the M5 Low Profile Screws.
Step 4. Mounting the motor to the actuator assembly is easiest done while the actuator is laid flat horizontally. Insert the shaft of the Nema 23 Stepper Motor 1.26N.m (2) into the open side of the 6.35 x 8mm Flexible Coupling (5), lining up the M5 Low Profile Screws – 60mm (11) and M5 Round Spacers – 50mm (12) with the threaded mounting holes of the C-Beam End Mount V3.0 (8). Screw the motor assembly tightly into place with the 3mm Allen Key.
Note: Consider what direction you would like the motors wire to go before fixing it in place.
Step 5. Lock the 6.35 x 8mm Flexible Coupling (5) into place by tightening both M4 screws with the 2.5mm Allen Key. Tighten the M3 alignment grub screws with the 2mm Allen Key anywhere on the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (3) and on the flat part of the Nema 23 Stepper Motor 1.26N.m (2) shaft.
5.0 Assembly Complete
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Congratulations! You’ve completed your C-Beam Actuator Mechanical Kit!
For C-Beam Actuator kits larger than 1000mm, you will need to tension the lead screw to prevent whip. See the following instructions for tensioning your lead screw properly.
6.0 Lead Screw Tensioning
Important: Perform the Lead Screw Tensioning according to this guide, after the machine is assembled, the electronic system is complete and the machine can jog using appropriate software. You will need to energise (power up) the stepper motors in order to properly tension the lead screw.
Actuators over 1000mm in length are built with additional tensioning hardware. Please use the following Bill of Materials as an Item reference for the guide below.
Preparation: Have your motor plugged into your control system and your control software connected and ready for use.
This procedure will require the following tools:
- 2.5mm Allen Key
- 13mm Spanner
Step 1. Loosen all Lock Collars – 8mm (c) by lightly unscrewing the M4 grub screws until the lock collar can be easily adjusted.
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At this time, please engage your motor by powering on your control system and connecting to the appropriate software. Your drivers should be adjusted to full current for the best results.
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Step 2. Starting with the non-motor end and with your stepper motor engaged, screw the Lead Screw Tensioning Tool (e) firmly against the Lock Collar – 8mm (c) and Thrust Bearing (d). The engaged motor should “click” over when the Lead Screw Tensioning Tool is at its tightest.
Rotate the Tensioning Tool a second time but just before the second “click”, use the 2.5mm Allen Key to tighten the end Lock Collar’s M4 grub screw against the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (b). While still in tension, push the inside Lock Collar firmly against the 688Z Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 (a) and end plate, then tighten the Lock Collar’s M4 grub screw.
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Step 3. With the motor engaged and the Lead Screw Tensioning Tool (e) in tension, push the motor-side inside Lock Collar (b) firmly against the 688Z Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 (a) and tighten the Lock Collar’s M4 grub screw against the 8mm Metric Lead Screw (b). Push the outer Lock Collar firmly against the 688Z Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 and tighten the Lock Collar’s M4 grub screw
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Step 4. Remove the Lead Screw Tensioning Tool (e).
Congratulations! You should now have a fully functional and tensioned C-Beam Actuator Kit!
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