Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

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ccavanaugh
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Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by ccavanaugh »

During a rebuild of my machine I switched to use of a couple of drafting triangles to check for square. I was struggling to check with my framing squares because of the stamped rounded edges. I was also fighting to get a good sight because of the exterior draft on the outer faces of the extrusion.

A better quality framing square is in order, but the drafting triangles were handy and have nice sharp square edges.

Also, I wanted an easy way of checking for parallelism and equal distance between towers. Theoretically, if all towers are square, the other values should fall in line, AND I always like to double check using a different method.

The pictures below are the end result using drafting triangles aided by a piece of tap or a thin marker.

If you tuck the triangles into the slots, you can bias them tightly to the insides of the extrusion channel. They are also thin enough that they don't bind in the extrusion when you rotate them together.
The spring clamp was there to aid in taking pictures, but ideally, you should not use it and use hand pressure only.

1. You can check for square at the base by holding each triangle firmly to the tower extrusions and slide then down to the print surface or top plate.
2. If the bottom of the triangles are parallel with each other, you now know the towers are parallel to each other.
3. If you mark the triangle overlap with a pieces of tape or marker and move them up and down or between pairs of towers, you can visually check for equal distance assuming you meet the #2 requirement.
4. At any point along the length of the extrusions, 2 and 3 should be good, otherwise that could be an indicator of a bent tower.

Those familiar with winding sticks should feel very comfortable with sighting for parallelism.
20140209_160801.jpg
20140209_160653.jpg
What I like best about this is that it's a fast and accurate visual check with a simple tool. If you can find tinted triangles, it might be a bit easier to see any errors. After a couple of attempts, it's fairly easy to get a feel for the process and quick. It's also easy to check for bent extrusions without removal of the carriages.
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Eaglezsoar
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by Eaglezsoar »

What size triangles are you using in the pictures?
ccavanaugh
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by ccavanaugh »

8" 45 degree and a 12" 60 degree
enggmaug
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by enggmaug »

Thanks for the tip... I'll check that this week-end.
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Eaglezsoar
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by Eaglezsoar »

Got to buy the triangles, I think that this is a great way to ensure the uprights are straight and square to the top plate.
Thank you for the tips!
ccavanaugh
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by ccavanaugh »

Thank you!

For those who try, let me know how it works out, or if there are other adaptations for the triangles. If it works well for others, it might be a good addition to the assembly guide.
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Eaglezsoar
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by Eaglezsoar »

ccavanaugh wrote:Thank you!

For those who try, let me know how it works out, or if there are other adaptations for the triangles. If it works well for others, it might be a good addition to the assembly guide.
Do you think that (2) 10" triangles would work?
ccavanaugh
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by ccavanaugh »

Will check this evening. The limiting factor is they need to be less that the distance between the towers. Longer will be better to help identify mismatch.
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Eaglezsoar
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Re: Easy Tower Squareness, Parallelism and Distance check

Post by Eaglezsoar »

ccavanaugh wrote:Will check this evening. The limiting factor is they need to be less that the distance between the towers. Longer will be better to help identify mismatch.
No need to check I will buy the 8" and the 12" that way I know they will work.
I have to buy them anyway and Amazon has some good prices with Prime shipping.
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