Comparison between ZF (slight clearance) and Z1 (medium preload) HIWIN linear guides on X axis
I got HIWIN linear ZF (slight clearance) in January due to irrelevant reasons. I bought the Z1 version (medium preload) for the X axis at least. The pictures show measurements BEFORE (both X and Y axis have carriages with slight clearance) and AFTER (X axis with preload, Y axis with slight clearance), at ambient and during warm-up. The measurement took place within about 12 hours of each other.
X axis and Belt tension measurements without comment. I find it interesting that the Y axis looks better, but the PSD remained at the same height.
V-Core 3.1; 400 mm, alu beam from SCHLEIF-TEC, alu XY joiners from ali (Funsor), 48V for AB motors. Belts are GATES purchased from Mellow. Tensioned to approx. 42 Hz.
5 Replies
in short preloaded X is better than not preloaded X 😄
did you get the hiwin rails from aliexpress or sanctioned provider?
Y looks better, because carriage X doesn't rock sideways anymore. PSD didn't drastically change because belt tension and overall damping, mass and stiffness of the printer stayed the same.
Well for X, definitely. If I could have chosen I would have bought Z1 back in January but I didnt have a choice. Y axis I don't know. I'll leave it up to you to test Y axis 🙂
The stuff is directly from HIWIN Czech republic.
Y is better to have decent quality rails without play, but not heavily preloaded, the forces work in better direction than for X rail.
i have over 30 different rails at home right now 🥲
The ZF guide does not actually rock sideways in any way I could feel. But it does have some play forward and backwards (X axis orientation)
ooof.
My theory is that you essentially change the slight clearance to slight preload simply due to assembly innacuracies between the two Y axis rails....
that can be a factor for sure.