Hdz with 80mm spindle dust boot options

[Julien]

@LiamN

I presently have a 3D printed prototype which is attached to the spindle whilst I think about how to make a Z independent version in the tiny gaps around the sides of the HDZ.

In case you are looking for some inspiration, here is what I came up with for a Z-independent, full X travel dust shoe support:

[WIP] Frame around HDZ & Spindle

It turned out that the previous frame was too bulky for comfort, especially near the bottom where it was really not convenient when changing tools. So I went back to Fusion and designed a Mk2 version with a lot more clearance at the bottom: [HDZ_frame_mk2] In the process I learned a thing or two about what NOT to do while editing a complex sequence of sketches and 3D operations in Fusion, to go from the original design to this. Now the frame is nowhere in the way of the spindle collet nut: […

The trick for me was finding how to attach something at the bottom (rear) of the HDZ, no easy options there. This solution I came out with is enclosing the lower V-wheels, and using captive nuts and two bolts that come and center themselves in the lower HDZ bolts’ heads in the back. If that makes any sense.

The other trick was designing the lower part such that it clears the Y rails when reaching the extreme left/right positions:

Then I added this custom dust shoe onto that frame.

The full X travel is what made cutting right to the edges of that piece possible: (44.5cm wide)

I’ve been pretty happy with how this works, but it does look a little bulky so I’m waiting for someone with industrial design skills to come up with a better version of that concept, or a different way to attach a Z-independent shoe to an HDZ altogether.