Alternate between VMWare and Docker on Windows

If you decide you want to try out Docker on your Windows machine and already have VMWare Workstation installed, you will be in for an unexpected treat the next time you attempt to start one of your VMs:

As it turns out, Docker for Windows relies on Hyper-V (Microsoft's virtualization technology) which is a completely incompatible hypervisor with VMWare.  If you do some searching on the VMWare site, they are happy to show you how to totally remove Hyper-V in a knowledge base article.

If you want to do something a little less drastic, and alternate between the two products, you can simply disable Hyper-V.

Disable Hyper-V:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
reboot Windows
(now VMWare will work, and Docker will not)

Enable Hyper-V:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
reboot Windows
(now Docker will work, and VMWare will not)

Make sure to run those commands from a command prompt that has been launched as administrator.  Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but if you are looking to have both capabilities on a dev workstation, this will get you through...

Root 3 CNC - Adding the Spindle Mount to the Z-Axis

The 80mm Spindle Mount Assembly connects to the Z-Axis via the MGN12c linear bearing blocks, as well as the 8mm threaded trapezoidal lead screw.  Start the process by adding a 24-tooth 8mm 3M HTD pulley to the lead screw and securing it with a set screw.

Roughly set the spindle mount assembly in place.  Thread the lead screw though the top mount, through the spindle mount assembly, then finally through the bottom mount.  If your 3D Parts are a little warped/missized like mine were, you will need to drill out the holes on the spindle mounts a bit, to ensure they align with the MGN12c blocks.

To fasten the assembly to the MGN12c blocks, the following parts were used:

• 16x M3 x 12mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 16x M3 lock washers
• 16x M3 washers

The following picture is out of sequence (it was taken while testing part fittings/alignment) but is the only photo I have which demonstrates how the inner screws are fastened.  A Wiha precision screwdriver is inserted through the front of the 3D printed assembly to tighten the screw.  To help with alignment, another screwdriver was used as leverage to move the small M3 screws/washers into position before tightening.

Proceed with fastening all 16 screws.  For my build, I completed the 8 outer screws before attempting the inner screws.

Once fully attached, the trapezoidal lead screw can be cut to length.  Mark the appropriate location, and then use a hacksaw to remove the excess length.  Use a file on the finished cut to knock down any sharp edges.

Root 3 CNC - Building the Spindle Mount Assembly

To start the spindle mount assembly, the following parts were used:

• 2x MGN12C 80mm Spindle Mount 3D Printed Parts
• 2x M3 x 35mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 4x M3 nylon lock nuts
• 2x Brass T8 Trapezoidal Screw Nut

For each of the 3D Printed Parts, fasten the T8 lead screw nut with 4 screws and lock nuts.

To combine the two parts into one spindle mount assembly, the following parts were used

• 2x High-Strength Steel Threaded Rod 10-24 Thread Size, 4" Long
• 8x 10-24 flanged lock nuts

Insert the threaded rods, and attach on both ends with a flanged lock nut:

Add the second spindle mount and surround with flanged lock nuts.  Temporarily add the 8mm lead screw to check alignment, and then tighten all nuts.

The spindle mount assembly is now ready for mounting on the Z-Axis:

Root 3 CNC - Lesson Learned, Extra Parts

So it turns out that China is a really long distance away...  That really doesn't sink in mentally until you need a part, you can't source it in the USA, and it takes 7 weeks to arrive.  Lesson learned - when you are ordering parts directly from China, go ahead and order an extra part up front and save yourself weeks of time when one of the originally ordered parts arrives damaged.

Root 3 CNC - Installing the X-Axis Belt Mount

Relevant official documentation can be found at: https://rootcnc.com/machines/root-3/animated-assembly

• Root 3 X-Axis Box Section Mount

For preparing the X-Axis box section mount to receive the bars, the following parts were used:

• 1x X-Axis Panel Assembly
• 2x 3D Printed Parts
• 4x M4 x 50mm screws (0.7mm threads)
• 8x M4 washers
• 4x M4 nylon lock nuts
• 4x M3 x 50mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 8x M3 washers
• 4x M3 nylon lock nuts

The M4 screws go through the outer bores, and the M3 screws through the inner bores. Tighten the screws, but not all the way, as the timing belt is not yet installed.

Repeat this process for the other panel.

Root 3 CNC - Upgrading the X-Axis 3mm Belt Mount

While looking through online sources, many people hand-cut a notch in the X-Axis 3mm Belt Mount in order to simplify belt-tightening.  Rather than cut into the exist part, measurements were taken from the provided STL file and a modified version was created.  The modified file can be found on Thingiverse.

Comparing the two parts:

The new part is on the left.  A notch has been added for the timing belt, as well as a few other minor changes.  All edges have been rounded, and the right side opening narrowed a bit to get the M3 screw holes a bit further from the edge.  The final part can be seen below.

Building a Lulzbot Mini OctoPrint Server

There are numerous sources online that document the process of building/setting-up an OctoPrint Server, so I will not duplicate that here.  This will instead just document a number of links and settings specific to my rig using a Lulzbot Mini.  Note that for my use, I am not slicing on the Octoprint Server;  I continue to use Cura locally for slicing, and simply print to Octoprint vice printing directly to the device.  This limits the amount of configuration required to use Octoprint.

Hardware Components:

• Raspberry Pi
• Memory Card
• Case, Power Supply, etc.
• USB Camera

Software Components:

OctoPrint OS Distro for Raspberry Pi

https://octoprint.org

Lulzbot Mini Settings

The following images document the OctoPrint profile in use for the Lulzbot Mini:

Root 3 CNC - Add Rails to Z-Axis Front Panel

To add the linear rails to the Z-Axis front panel, the following parts were used:

• 1 Z-Axis front panel
• 2x MGN12 200mm linear rails
• 4x MGN12C carriages
• 16x M3 x 16mm screws (0.5mm threads)

Line up the rails with the holes on the front panel, and insert screws.

Root 3 CNC - X-Axis Box Section Mount Prep

Relevant official documentation can be found at: https://rootcnc.com/machines/root-3/animated-assembly

• Root 3 X-Axis Box Section Mount

For preparing the X-Axis box section mount to receive the bars, the following parts were used:

• 2x 3D Printed Parts
• 2x #10-24 x 1/2" cup point set screws

Tap 8 holes with #10-24 threads, then insert the set screws:

There are two lock nuts which will be hidden by the timing belt plate.  To avoid a bunch of hassle if these two hidden screws come loose, use Loctite glue to weld two M3 nuts onto the 3D printed parts (yes this is a hack).  To glue the parts, temporarily insert a screw into the lock nut and let them hang.  Apply a dab of glue and let set.

After the glue has set, attach the box section mount to the wooden panel, use the following:

• 2x M3 x 30mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 2x M3 lock washers
• 2x M3 washers

Root 3 CNC - X-Axis Carriage Assembly

Relevant official documentation can be found at: https://rootcnc.com/machines/root-3/animated-assembly

• Root 3 X-Axis Carriage Assembly

For building the X-Axis carriage assembly, the following parts were used:

• 2x wood panels (front and back z-axis)
• 2x box carriage assemblies
• 32x M4 x 35mm machine screws (0.7mm threads)
• 32x M4 nuts

Add the captive nuts and insert/tighten 8 screws per box section side (using Loctite on screws):

Front panel attachment complete:

Back panel attachment complete:

Assembly with front and back panels fully attached:

Root 3 CNC - Z-Axis Front Panel Prep

Due to the size of the screws I purchased, I needed to slightly modify the front panel so the screws could sit flush to the panel, and fit cleanly through the top and bottom cups.  The cup holes were cleaned out with a 3/16" drill bit, and the box carriage mounting holes were modified with a 4mm countersink.

The panel now looks like:

Root 3 CNC - Adding the Y-Axis Panel Spacer

Relevant official documentation can be found at: https://rootcnc.com/machines/root-3/animated-assembly

• Root 3 Y-Axis Gantry Wooden Panel

For each spacer, the following parts were used (repeat for each side):

• 2x 3D Printed Parts
• 2x M8 x 75mm bolt (1.25mm threads)
• 6x 608zz type bearings
• 2x M8 nylon lock nuts
• 6x M8 washers

The spacer mounts onto the panel on the same side as the box carriage.

Root 3 CNC - Mounting the Y-Axis Panel

Relevant official documentation can be found at: https://rootcnc.com/machines/root-3/animated-assembly

• Root 3 Y-Axis Side Panel Linear Slide

For the Y-Axis mounts, the following parts were used (repeat for each side):

• 2x 3D Printed Parts
• 6x M3 x 20mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 6x M3 washers
• 6x M3 nylon lock nuts
• 2x #10-24 x 1/2" cup point socket set screws
• 1x 6061 Aluminum Rectangular Tube 1/8" Wall Thickness, 1"x 1", 3' length

For the Y-Axis panel gantry, the following parts were used (repeat for each side):

• 1x plywood side panel
• 1x box section carriage assembly
• 8x M4 x 40mm bolts (0.7mm threads)
• 8x M4 oversized washers
• 8x M4 nuts 

In order to get the captive nuts into the box section carriage assembly, they needed a little persuasion.  I used a nail punch to lightly tap them into place.  The thread ends were covered in Loctite thread locker, because I did not have M4 lock washers available and did not want to wait a few days for delivery;  Hopefully this will not come back to bite me later;  I would have much preferred to use lock washers due to the expected motion/vibration of the gantry.

When completed, the assembly should move freely on the linear box tubing.