WorkBee CNC Version 3.0 Mechanical Assembly Instructions
WorkBee CNC
Version 3
Mechanical Assembly Instructions
About the WorkBee CNC V3
The first WorkBee CNC model was originally designed by Ryan Lock of Ooznest UK. It was a strong, accurate and easy to assemble CNC machine. This new WorkBee CNC Version 3 is the Maker Hardware kit based on the popular WorkBee CNC Machine design. This new Version 3 model is heavily modified to achieve better results. It is important to note that the new upgrade is VERY different to other manufacturer’s models. The Maker Hardware WorkBee V3 has two interchangeable transmission systems allowing for a high level of customisation as well as axis compatible with up to 3m in length, allowing for full timber sheets to be worked on!
Pre-Assembly Notes
We recommend that you read through the whole assembly guide before beginning the build, as this enables you to get a rough idea of how it all goes together. Before starting each step make sure you have studied the drawings and fully understand the instructions.
When attaching parts, if a part is requiring significant force to attach, stop, take it off, re-read the instructions and try again. Do not over tighten screws as you may strip the thread or head.
How to use this manual
Follow the Chapter Index below to go directly to the chapter you require. Start by assembling your Y-Axis. After the Y-Axis is assembled you can assemble your X-Axis. When both the Y-Axis and X-Axis are assembled you can assemble your Z-Axis and the finally your Spoiler Board.
Make sure you are referring to the chapter that fits your build. If you have any questions regarding the build please contact us at sales@makerstore.com.au
1.1 Y-Axis Lead Screw
1.1.1 Wheel Assembly
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Solid V Wheel | WHEEL-SOLIDV | 1 |
| 2 | 6882RS Bearing | BEAR-6882RS | 2 |
| 3 | 8mm Shim | SHIM-PREC-1281 | 1 |
| 4 | 5mm Shim | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 1 |
| 5 | 6252RS Bearing | BEAR-6252RS | 2 |
Step 1: Assemble the Solid V Wheel as per the drawing. Ensure you only use 1 Precision Shim between the two Bearings.
Step 2: Repeat this for all the remaining Solid V Wheels
Tip: Seperate the 8mm bore and the 5mm bore bearings so to not incorrectly assemble a wheel with 2 different types of bearings.
1.1.2 ACME Nut Blocks
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | WorkBee V3 Y-Axis Plate | PLATE-WBV3-Y | 1 |
| 2 | M5 Cap Head Screw – 25mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-25-1 | 4 |
| 3 | Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 4 |
| 4 | Metric Aluminium Spacers – 3mm | SHIM-SPAC-3MM | 4 |
| 5 | 8mm ACME Nut Block | HARD-ACME-8-BLOCK | 2 |
| 6 | Nylon Insert Hex Locknut – 5mm | HARD-NUT-LOCK-5MM | 2 |
Step 1: Attach 2x ACME-Nut-Block to the Y-Plate using 4x M5-Cap-Head-Screws-25mm & 4x M5-Nylon-Nuts. On each screw, in-between the head of the screw and the Y-Plate, there should be a Precision-Shim. In between the Y-Plate and the ACME-Nut-Block there should be a 3mm Spacer. Only loosely tighten these screws so the ACME-Nut-Blocks can still move side to side.
Step 2: Ensure the recess on the Y-Plate for the 688ZZ Bearing to seat in is on the same side as ACME-Nut-Blocks. The recess is labelled as “A” on the drawing.
Tip: The Maker Hardware Logo is the outer face of the place.
1.1.3 Y Wheels & Y-Plate-Inner
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | WorkBee V3 Y-Axis Plate | PLATE-WBV3-Y | 1 |
| 2 | WorkBee V3 Y-Axis Inner | PLATE-WBV3-Y-INNER | 1 |
| 3 | M5 Cap Screws – 60mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-60-1 | 3 |
| 4 | M8 Cap Screws – 60mm | SCREWS-M8-CAP-60-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Eccentric Spacers – 8mm Hex – 6mm Height | SHIM-ECCENTRIC-8-6 | 6 |
| 6 | Metric Aluminium Spacers – 9mm | SHIM-SPAC-9MM | 3 |
| 7 | Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 3 |
| 8 | Nylon Insert Hex Locknut – 5mm | HARD-NUT-LOCK-5MM | 3 |
| 9 | Nylon Insert Hex Locknut – 8mm | HARD-NUT-LOCK-8MM | 4 |
| 10 | M8 Round Spacers – 6mm | SHIM-SPAC-81-13-6-1PC | 8 |
| 11 | M8 Round Spacers – 9mm | SHIM-SPAC-81-13-9-1PC | 4 |
| 12 | Solid V Wheel Assembly – 5mm | WHEEL-SOLIDV-KIT | 6 |
| 13 | Solid V Wheel Assembly – 8mm | WHEEL-SOLIDV-KIT-M8 | 8 |
Step 1: First attach the bottom right wheel set – insert a M5 Cap Screws – 60mm screw through the Y-Plate-Assembly from the back. On to this screw, add an Eccentric-Spacer-6mm, Solid-V-Wheel-M5-Assembly, Metric Aluminium Spacers – 9mm, Solid-V-Wheel-M5-Assembly, and a Eccentric-Spacer-6mm in this order. Next, add a Y-Plate-Inner onto the top of this assemblage, add a Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm onto the screw and then slightly thread on a M5-Nylon-Nut. The rounded portion of the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm should be inserted into the hole on both the Y-Plate-Assembly or Y-Plate-Inner (depending on which side it is on).
Step 2: Attach the top right wheel set – insert a M8 Cap Screws – 60mm screw through the Y-Plate-Assembly from the back. On to this screw, add a M8 Round Spacers – 6mm, Solid-V-Wheel-M8-Assembly, M8 Round Spacers – 9mm, Solid-V-Wheel-M8-Assembly, and a M8 Round Spacers – 6mm in this order. Next, add a Y-Plate-Inner onto the top of this assemblage and then slightly thread on a M8-Nylon-Nut.
Step 3: Once all the wheels are attached the Nylon-Nuts can be tightened down. Ensure that the Solid-V-Wheels can still rotate freely. On the hexagonal portion of the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm, there will be one face that is marked with ‘6mm’. Using a spanner, adjust each Eccentric-Spacer-6mm so that this face is facing downwards. Doing this maximises the gap between the top and bottom row of wheels.
Step 4: Run any piece of C-Beam extrusion in between the two rows of wheels. Initially, the C-Beam will wobble between the wheels. Turn the assembly upside down so the C-Beam is sitting on the top row of wheels (with M8 Aluminium Spacers). Starting with an outside pair of wheels, adjust both Eccentric-Spacer-6mms down onto the C-Beam Extrusion until there is a small amount of friction between both wheels and the C-Beam Extrusion. When adjusting the pair of Eccentric-Spacer-6mms ideally they should be adjusted identically. However, sometimes one will need to be adjusted slightly more than the other to get both wheels engaged with the C-Beam extrusion. Repeat this for the other outside pair of wheels, and then again for the middle pair.
Step 5: Slide the C-Beam extrusion back and forth through the wheels. This should require a small amount of force, and all wheels should spin as it rolls. Also check there is no wobbling of the extrusion. Once happy, double check the tightness of the Nylon-Nuts.
Tip: The Maker Hardware Logo on the Y-Axis-Inner-Plate should be facing outwards. It can be easier to lay the Y-Axis-Plate down and insert all the screws through the holes, then you can add all the other components onto the screws.
Note: Not all wheels may rotate, and some may rotate freely and seem loose, this is okay. Generally it takes a few weeks for the wheels to ‘settle in’.
1.1.4 Y-Axis Extrusions
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Y-Axis C-Beam | LR-C-S | 1 |
| 2 | Y-Axis Assembly | 1 |
Step 1: Slide the Y-Axis Assembly onto the C-Beam. This should slide on easily with little resistance or force required.
If there is resistance stop, do not force it or you risk chipping or cracking a wheel on the edge of the extrusion. Make sure all of the eccentric spacer markings are facing downwards so that the top and bottom rows of wheels are spaced the furthest from each other as possible. You can also loosen all the Nylon Lock Nuts on the wheels by 1 turn to help 'free up' the rows of wheels.
Step 2: Once the assembly is on the C-Beam extrusion tighten all of the Nylon Lock Nuts.
Step 3: Recheck the bottom Eccentric-Spacer-6mms on the Y-Gantry-Assembly to make sure they are touching the rail and that there is no wobble.
Note: Not all wheels may rotate, and some may rotate freely and seem loose, this is okay. Generally it takes a few weeks for the wheels to ‘settle in’.
1.1.5 Preparing T-Nuts
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Y-Axis Assembly | 1 | |
| 2 | Tee nuts - M5 | HARD-TNUT-M5-1 | 4 |
Step 1: Insert 2 T-Nuts into both of the bottom channels of the Y-Axis C-Beam. We will use these later in this chapter.
Important: Ensure the flat side of the T-Nut is facing outwards.
1.1.6 End Plates
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Y-Axis C-Beam | LR-C-S | 1 |
| 2 | C-Beam End Mount | PLATE-C-END | 1 |
| 3 | M5 Cap Screws - 20mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-20-1 | 4 |
Choose which end of your machine you want your motors to be mounted to. We recommend the back of the machine.
Step 1: Using 4x M5 Cap Screws - 20mm Screws secure the C-Beam End Mount to the C-Beam.
Note: The Recess for the bearing to seat into should be facing inwards.
Leave the other end of the C-Beam off for now, we will attach this later in this chapter.
1.1.7 ACME Screws and Bearings
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Y-Gantry Assembly | 1 | |
| 2 | Y-Axis ACME Lead Screw | HARD-ACME-8 | 1 |
Step 1: Thread the ACME-Lead-Screw through the both of the Nut Blocks.
Step 2: With the ACME-Lead-Screws now in position, tighten the screws on the nut blocks that were left loose in step 1.1.2 so they have a firm fixing. This will ensure the nut blocks are aligned.
Note: Be careful when tightening the nut block screws that the nut block does not slightly rotate when being tightened. This will cause the lead screw to be slightly out of alignment which may cause motor stalling problems later.
1.1.8 Bearings and Jaw Coupler
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | C-Beam End Mount | PLATE-C-END | 1 |
| 2 | Y-Axis ACME Lead Screw | HARD-ACME-8 | 1 |
| 3 | Thrust Bearing F8-16m | BEAR-F8-16M | 1 |
| 4 | Lead Screw Tensioning Nut | HARD-ACME-8-LSTNUT | 1 |
| 5 | 688ZZ Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 | BEAR-688Z | 1 |
| 6 | Lock Collar – 8mm | HARD-COLL-8MM | 1 |
| 7 | 6.35mm x 8mm Jaw Coupling | HARD-COUP-JAW-635X8 | 1 |
Step 1: Slide an 8mm Lock Collar onto the Lead Screw, then slide a 688Z Bearing onto the Lead Screw.
Step 2: Once the inner bearing and lock collar are on the Lead Screw, insert the Lead Screw through the End Plate so it is protruding out the plate.
Step 3: Insert the Thrust Bearing onto the Lead Screw. Next thread the Tensioning Nut onto the Lead Screw. If you have not already inserted the set screw into the Tensioning Nut do so, but do not tighten the set screw so that it makes contact with the Lead Screw, we will do this later.
Step 4: Place the Jaw Coupler over the Lead Screw, make sure the coupler is pushed as far onto the Lead Screw as it can be. Tighten the Coupler set screws so that it is secured to the Lead Screw.
Tip: You can easily move the Y-Axis Gantry from side to side, this will in turn move the Lead Screw which will allow you to position the Lead Screw so that you can easily insert the inner bearings and outer bearings.
1.1.9 Stepper Motors
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | C-Beam End Mount | PLATE-C-END | 1 |
| 2 | Nema 23 Stepper Motor | ELEC-NEMA23-635 | 1 |
| 3 | M5 Cap Screws - 65mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-65-1 | 4 |
| 4 | M5 Round Spacers - 50mm | SHIM-SPAC-51-8-50-1PC | 4 |
Step 1: Attach the Nema23 Stepper Motor to the C-Beam End Mount using the 4x M5 Cap Screws - 65mm with 1x M5 Round Spacers - 50mm per screw in place to space the Nema23 Stepper Motor off the C-Beam End Mount.
Step 2: Once the motor is mounted move the ACME-Lead-Screw so it is touching the shaft of the motor. Tighten the Jaw Coupler onto the motor shaft. It is best to have the set screw tightened on the flat section of the Nema23 shaft.
Step 3: Push the Lead Screw Tensioning Nut against the thrust bearing and tighten the grub screw on the lock collar.
1.1.10 Thrust Bearings and Tensioning Nut
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Y-Axis ACME Lead Screw | HARD-ACME-8 | 1 |
| 2 | C-Beam End Mount | PLATE-C-END | 1 |
| 3 | Lock Collar – 8mm | HARD-COLL-8MM | 1 |
| 4 | 688ZZ Ball Bearing – 8x16x5 | BEAR-688Z | 1 |
| 5 | Thrust Bearing F8-16M | BEAR-F8-16M | 1 |
| 6 | Lead Screw Tensioning Nut | HARD-ACME-8-LSTNUT | 1 |
| 7 | M5 Cap Screws – 20mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-20-1 | 1 |
Step 1: Slide an 8mm Lock Collar onto the Lead Screw, then slide a 688Z Bearing onto the Lead Screw.
Step 2: Once the inner bearing and lock collar are on the Lead Screw, Secure the Motor Mount Plate to the C-Beam using 4x M5 Cap Screws – 20mm and insert the Lead Screw through the End Plate so it is protruding out the plate.
Step 3: Insert the Thrust Bearing onto the Lead Screw. Next thread the Tensioning Nut onto the Lead Screw. If you have not already inserted the set screw into the Tensioning Nut do so.
Step 4: At this point make sure the Tensioning Nut on both ends of the axis are against the Thrust Bearings, then tighten the set screw to position them onto the Lead Screw.
1.1.11 Completed Axis
Repeat this chapter to assemble the other Y-Axis actuator. You should have two actuators that are a 'mirror' of each other.
To proceed to the next chapter:
If you have a Lead Screw X-Axis click HERE
1.2 Y-Axis Rack and Pinion up to 1500mm
1.2.1 Wheel Assembly
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | Solid V Wheel | WHEEL-SOLIDV | 1 |
| 2 | 6882RS Bearing | BEAR-6882RS | 2 |
| 3 | 8mm Shim | SHIM-PREC-1281 | 1 |
| 4 | 5mm Shim | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 1 |
| 5 | 6252RS Bearing | BEAR-6252RS | 2 |
Step 1: Assemble the Solid V Wheel as per the drawing. Ensure you only use 1 Precision Shim between the two Bearings.
Step 2: Repeat this for all the remaining Solid V Wheels
Tip: Separate the 8mm bore and the 5mm bore bearings so to not incorrectly assemble a wheel with 2 different types of bearings.
1.2.2 Motor Plate
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | WorkBee V3 Y-Axis Plate | PLATE-WBV3-Y | 1 |
| 2 | Gear Rack Motor Mount Plate | PLATE-MOTOR-RACK | 1 |
| 3 | M5 Cap Screws – 30mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-30-1 | 1 |
| 4 | M5 Low Profile Screws – 30mm | SCREWS-M5-LP-30-1 | 1 |
| 5 | M5 Low Profile Screws – 20mm | SCREWS-M5-LP-20-1 | 1 |
| 6 | Thrust Bearings – F5-12M | BEAR-F5-12M | 1 |
| 7 | Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 2 |
| 8 | Nylon Insert Hex Locknut – 5mm | HARD-NUT-LOCK-5MM | 3 |
| 9 | Universal L Brackets – Single | BRAC-L1 | 2 |
| 10 | M5 Round Spacers – 5mm | SHIM-SPAC-51-8-5-1PC | 1 |
| 11 | M5 Round Spacers – 10mm | SHIM-SPAC-51-8-10-1PC | 1 |
The Outside of the plate has the Maker Hardware Logo on it. The Inside of the plate does not have the Logo on it, and also has the recess for the 688Z Bearing.
Step 1: Insert M5 Low Profile Screws – 30mm though the hole indicated in the image. Make sure the head of the screw is on the inside of the plate. Then place a M5 Round Spacers – 5mm and M5 Round Spacers – 10mm over the screw. Then place the L bracket over the screw; note that the holes on the L bracket are in different positions, one is closer to the bend and one is further. The hole that is closer to the bend of the bracket is the hole that you will place over the screw. Then thread the Nylon Lock Nut over the screw so that it is finger tight, we will tighten more this shortly.
Step 2: Insert the M5 Low Profile Screw – 20mm through the end hole of the Gear Rack Motor Mount Plate. Then insert Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm over the screw. Then place the L bracket over the screw; note that the holes on the L bracket are in different positions, one is closer to the bend and one is further. The hole that is closer to the bend of the bracket is the hole that you will place over the screw. Then thread the Nylon Lock Nut over the screw so that it is finger tight, we will tighten more this shortly.
Step 3: Insert the M5 Cap Screws – 30mm Cap Head Screw through the middle hole next to the cut out of the Y-Axis Plate. Place the Thrust Bearing – F5-12M over the screw, then place the opposite-most hole of the Gear Rack Motor Mount Plate over the screw. Place the Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm over the screw then thread the Nylon Lock Nut over the screw so that it is finger tight, we will tighten more this shortly.
1.2.3 Spring System
| Item Number | Description | SKU | Quantity |
| 1 | M5 Cap Screws – 60mm | SCREWS-M5-CAP-60-1 | 1 |
| 2 | Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm | SHIM-PREC-1051 | 3 |
| 3 | Spring – 1.2 x 7.5 x 20mm | HARD-SPRING-1.2X7.5×20 | 1 |
| 4 | Universal L Brackets – Single | BRAC-L1 | 2 |
| 5 | Nylon Insert Hex Locknut – 5mm | HARD-NUT-LOCK-5MM | 1 |
Step 1: Place Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm, then Spring – 1.2 x 7.5 x 20mm, then Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm over M5 Cap Screw – 60mm .
Step 2: Then insert M5 Cap Screw – 60mm through the holes of both the Universal L Brackets so that it aligns the two holes.
Step 3: Then place Precision Shim – 10x5x1mm over the screw and then thread the Nylon Lock Nut over the screw so that it is finger tight, we will tighten this more later in this chapter.
