Upgraded stepper motor on HDZ

I’m have issues with Z travel skipping steps recently. Working with C3D support to try to resolve it, but we’ve done a lot of steps to isolate the issue and it’s still not 100% clear.

I’m just a little curious about options to upgrade the Z stepper motor to something more powerful and possibly less likely to skip steps under the same conditions. I understand that this may not be the most correct way to fix this, but I’m desperate.

Has anyone upgraded the stepper motor on their HDZ? I’m looking for something with the same bolt pattern, same shaft, and I don’t mind having to solder or crimp some wire connections, but it must also work with the stock control board.

Btw, I have an SO3 XXL with the newest HDZ.

I have picked this up with support and read through the tickets. Whilst most nema 23 with a 1/4 shank should work there should not be a need to swap out the Z motor.

Support should come back to you today when they are back at work.

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Thanks @Luke ! I really appreciate everything C3D is doing to help me through this. Truly no doubt that C3D has the best customer support in the industry.

I’m just scrambling for all possible ideas at this point…but I’ll standby for now.

I too have the standard belt driven Z for my Shapeoko. I came across this interesting Z axis router kit and I’m wondering if anyone has replace their belt drive with this. The price makes it interesting.

It looks rather sketchy to me, a very generic part for cheap import machines throwing around the Shapeoko name to get credibility by association. Dropping down a motor frame size (you also need to buy a NEMA 17 motor) and switching to a lead screw of unknown pitch with no information about the nut (style or material) may leave you in an unhappy place. You will end up with a Z axis that is slower and that may not have enough torque to handle any spindle upgrades. I would save up for the Z Plus or HDZ.

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Indeed,

I looked at the part and Ewwww, I don’t think that’s really an upgrade to even the old belt driven Z, the C3D Z plus would definitely be substantially better.

The V wheels on that part are the softer versions, closer together so there’ll be more deflection and play, as Lester says, teeny stepper. I don’t think you’d be very happy with the result.

I am sure someone on the forum here has an Z+ gathering dust from upgrading to a HDZ.

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Thanks for your honest opinion. I agree with you and will probably spend my hard earned money on a proven part rather than an unknown knock off.

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