This page shows how to install the Dual Z Upgrade kit for CR-10 sold by 3D modular Systems.
This kit allows to install a 2nd Z axis stepper motor on your Creality CR-10 3D printer.
It will give you better print quality, and will increase Z motion precision.
THis upgrade is very important if you plan to use some auto bed leveling sensor such as BLTouch
Kit content
- 1 motor kit
- 1 screw kit
- 1 lead-screw + nut
- 1 motor splitter cable
- 1 plastic kit
Step 1 – Un-mounting
The main idea is to install the copper nut for the lead screw. For this you need to un-mount the right side of the X axis.
This is the part with the belt tensioner
Using the hex key provided with the printer kit, totally un-mount the right side of the wheel system.
Remove the 2 screws that are holding the x axis extrusion profile.
Step 2 – Installing the upgrade
You should have this part after un-mounting the axis.
Use the black screws provided inside the upgrade kit and install the Eccentric nut
Place back the eccentric nut inside the dedicated hole on the metal plate. Place the nut’s round part inside the metallic groove.
insert the wheel
Use the upgrade’s kit spacer
Important! Make sure to use the spacer provided with the upgrade kit! Don’t use the one from the existing axis as both spacers don’t have the same height!
Take the plastic part with the copper nut and a nylstop
Place the wheel on the screw and then a spacer before assembling both parts
Just insert slightly the nylstop. Keep the nylstop loose!
Install both parts on the chassis. Also note that the nylstop here is still loose.
On the other side, install 1 other screw from the upgrade kit.
From left to right, install the following parts:
- 1 spacer from the original kit (CR-10)
- 1 wheel
- 1 spacer from the upgrade kit (10mm)
do the same for the bottom.
Install 2 nylstops, and then tighten them using flat pliers.
In order to adjust the eccentric nut, you will need a size 10 flat key, or flat pliers if you don’t have this kind of keys.
Turn the key in 1 direction or another in order to adjust the location of the wheel.
The wheel must be in contact with the Z axis extrusion groove.
Once properly set the Z axis must slide up and down freely with very little play.
Once in place tighten the nylstop nut.
Seen from the front, the 2 Tnuts must be accessible.
We will now connect the X Axis extrusion
From the back, turn the nuts so that they fit inside the extrusion.
On the other side, Insert the hex key inside the dedicated hole to access the screw head.
Step3 – Stepper motor installation
Mount the stepper motor at the base of the chassis.
Make sure that it’s perfectly aligned with the Nut and is laying perfectly flat on the base of the chassis.
Screw the motor on the vertical double extrusion profile.
Take the blue coupler
Note that the coupler has 2 holes with different diameters.
Also note that the motor shaft has some flat area.
Align the coupler screws with the motor’s shaf’s flat area
The small diameter of the coupler is to be used on the motor shaft.
Use the leadscrew now.
Insert it from the top and let it spin freely to the bottom
You can use some lubricant if needed. (fine oils for screwing machines)
The lead-screw must go down strait into the coupler.
Tighten the coupler screws
Install the top Z axis idler
Step4 – Z axis alignment
Use some flat object (here some kapton tape).
Place it on one side, and move down the axis until the bottom part of the x axis is touching the object.
Do the same on the other side.
Step 5 – Electronic wiring
Connect the stepper motor cable.
You are going to put your hands inside the electronic box. Make sure to disconnect the electronic box from your power plug!
At the bottom of the electronic box you will find 5 screws to remove.
Use a hex key to remove them.
In order to remove the Power supply, you need to remove the 4 screws on the side of the electronic box.
Remove the power supply from the top.
At the top, near the LCD, you will find the main board.
Locate the Z axis cable
Remove the Z axis wire and replace it with the splitter cable
Make sure to place the red wire facing top.
Connect the Z axis cable to 1 end of the splitter cable.
Take the splitter so that the red wires are facing down.
On the Z axis cable you should see some clips on 1 side.
These must be facing you
At the back of the electronic box, you have 2 metallic connectors and 1 wires output
Insert the stepper motor black connector inside this last hole.
Once inside the cable must follow the other cables
Connect it with the last end of the splitter wire
The red wire from the stepper motor must be connected with the red wire of the splitter wire
You can use some tape in order to make sure the 4 wires are held together
Use some cable tie to make sure the internal cables are properly held on the box.
Step6 – Stepper motor calibration
Using the ceramic screw driver provided with the upgrade kit, you need to adjust the stepper driver current for both Z axis motor to be working.
The best practice is to use a voltmeter
If you have a voltmeter, use the caliber closest to 2V DC .
Place the « + » probe directly on the metallic cap of the driver potentiometer.
Place the probe « – » directly on the GND terminal of the power supply where the big black cable is located at the bottom.
Warning! The next step requires the electronic box to be powered on!
Make sure to use the ceramic screw driver as it’s insulated. any other screw driver may damage the driver.
Power on the electronic box, measure the voltage as explained above.
Using the ceramic screw driver, turn clockwise so that the voltage is reaching about « 1Vdc«
Using the LCD screen, lift up and down the z axis (prepare>Move axis >Z)
If the Z axis is moving freely then you are done. If not you may need to slightly increase the voltage.
If you don’t have any voltmeters, using the LCD screen, lift up and down the Z axis.
Turn clockwise until both stepper motors are able to properly lift the Z axis
Once finished you can power down the electronic box, unplug the power coord, and screw the electronic box back to normal.
You are done!