OOOZNEST WorkBee CNC User manual

WORKBEE CNC
Mechanical Assembly Instructions
Screw Driven

WorkBee CNC 1
Contents
1.0 Getting Started...................................................................................................... 2
1.1 About The Kit ................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Tools Required................................................................................................ 2
1.4 Notes on Assembly.......................................................................................... 2
2.0 Assembly ............................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Wheel Assembly.............................................................................................. 4
2.2 Y-Plate Assembly ............................................................................................ 5
2.2.2 Y Wheels & Y-Plate-Inner ...................................................................... 6
2.2.3 Stepper Motor ...................................................................................... 8
2.2.4 Repeat ................................................................................................ 9
2.3 X-Carriage Assembly ..................................................................................... 10
2.3.2 Z ACME Nut Block............................................................................... 12
2.3.3 X ACME Nut Blocks ............................................................................. 13
2.3.4 X Wheels & X-Plate-Front .................................................................... 14
2.3.5 X & Z Mating...................................................................................... 16
2.3.6 Z Extrusion ........................................................................................ 17
2.3.7 Z Stepper Motor ................................................................................. 18
2.3.8 Z ACME Screw.................................................................................... 19
2.4 X-Gantry Assembly........................................................................................ 21
2.4.2 X-Carriage & Y-Plate-Left Assembly ...................................................... 22
2.4.3 X ACME Screw.................................................................................... 23
2.4.4 Angle Corners .................................................................................... 24
2.5 Base Assembly.............................................................................................. 25
2.5.2 End Plates ......................................................................................... 26
2.5.3 Stepper Motors .................................................................................. 27
2.5.4 Y ACME Screws .................................................................................. 28
2.5.5 End Caps........................................................................................... 29
2.6 Spoiler Board Support Extrusions - Method 1.................................................... 30
2.6.2 Y-End-Plate Final Bolts & Angle Corners ................................................ 31
2.6.3 Spoiler Board Support Brackets ............................................................ 32
2.6.4 Attaching Spoiler Board Supports ......................................................... 33
2.7 Spoiler Board Support Extrusions - Method 2.................................................... 34
2.7.2 Spoiler Board Support Brackets ............................................................ 35
2.7.3 Spoiler Board Support Assembly........................................................... 36
2.7.4 Attaching Spoiler Board Supports ......................................................... 37
2.8 Complete ...................................................................................................... 38
3.0 Appendix ............................................................................................................ 39
3.1 Appendix A - Kit Contents .............................................................................. 39

WorkBee CNC 2
1.0 Getting Started
1.1 About The Kit
The WorkBee CNC is an open source design designed and introduced by OOOZNEST and is an offspring
of the OX CNC Machine designed by Mark Carew of Open Builds
. 1.2 Check Product Contents
The first thing you should do when you receive your kit is to check the contents against the list in
Appendix A. If anything is missing or damaged (or you have any other problems), please contact us
and we will aim to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
1.3 Tools Required
The list below shows the main tools that are required to complete this build:
•Set of Allen Keys
•8.0mm Spanner
•M5Tap
1.4 Notes on Assembly
We recommend that you read through the whole manual before beginning the build, as this enables
you to get a rough idea of how it all goes together. Before starting each step make sure you have
studied the diagram and fully understand what you are doing. A PDF version of the manual is available
on our website, allowing you to zoom in on the diagrams if needed.
When attaching parts, make sure they are properly squared and aligned, and everything should easily
fit together. If a part is requiring significant force to attach, stop, take it off, re-read the instructions,
and try again. Do not over tighten bolts, as you may strip the threads.
If you forget to insert a Tee-Nut when instructed, there is no need to undo any of the work you have
done. We have included spare M5-Drop-In-Tee-Nuts in the kit for this situation. M5-Drop-In-Tee-Nuts
do not have to be inserted from the end of the extrusion - simply place them in the V-Slot, then screw
in the bolt. This will turn them and engage them into the underside of the V-Slot.
This manual has been written for the construction of a 1500 x 1500 mm screw driven version of the
WorkBee. If you have a different version, everything is the same, except you will be working with
shorter V-Slot extrusions and ACME Lead screws. Use the table below to convert V-Slot dimensions in
this manual to the sizes for your machine.
Check to see if all the V-Slot and C-Beam Extrusion has been tapped, if not then tap to a depth of
around 10mm.

WorkBee CNC 3
Machine Size
500x750mm
750x750mm
750x1000mm
1000x1000mm
1000x1500mm
1500x1500mm
20x40x415mm
20x40x665mm
20x40x665mm
20x40x915mm
20x40x915mm
20x40x1415mm
20x40x495mm
20x40x745mm
20x40x745mm
20x40x995mm
20x40x995mm
20x40x1495mm
20x40x500mm
20x40x750mm
20x40x750mm
20x40x1000mm
20x40x1000mm
20x40x1500mm
20x80x710mm
20x80x710mm
20x80x960mm
20x80x960mm
20x80x1460mm
20x80x1460mm
C-Beam-250mm
C-Beam-250mm
C-Beam-250mm
C-Beam-250mm
C-Beam-250mm
C-Beam-
250mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
500mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
750mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
750mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
1000mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
1000mm
X-Axis C-Beam-
1500mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
750mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
750mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
1000mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
1000mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
1500mm
Y-Axis C-Beam-
1500mm
The WorkBee has two methods of supporting the spoiler board. Method 1, the maximum depth of
material that can be cut the whole way through is 27.0mm. If this is adequate for the intended use,
then stick with Method 1. If greater than 27.0mm cut depth is needed, then choose Method 2, which
has 47.0mm of cut depth. Choosing Method 2 will give you 20mm of extra cut depth, however the Z-
Axis will have to reach down further to cut thinner materials, so accuracy will be lost. These
calculations are based on a 12mm spoiler board.
With Method 1, the extrusions rest directly on the work bench, so they are supported along their
length. With Method 2 they are not resting on the workbench, instead they span from front to back.
With Method 2 there will be two spare extrusions that can be used to support the spoiler board as
seen in Section 2.7.3. Machine sizes with an X-Axis of 1000mm or greater have more than two spoiler
board supports, therefore there will be 1 or 2 spoiler board support extrusions that you cannot carry
out the process detailed in Section 2.7.3. We recommend placing the supported spoiler board supports
down the middle, and the unsupported ones along the outer edge of the machine.
The WorkBee CNC Machine and this instruction manual are derived directly from the Open Source
versions published by Ooznest. Credit is due to the Ooznest team for their work on the WorkBee.

WorkBee CNC 4
2.0 Assembly
2.1 Wheel Assembly
A. From the Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Kit packet, with a Precision-Shim in between, insert a 625-2RS-
Bearing into either side of the Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme.
B. Repeat this for 48 Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Kits.
2.1.1
Solid V Xtreme Wheel Assembly

WorkBee CNC 5
2.2 Y-Plate Assembly
A. Attach 2 x ACME-Nut-Blocks to the Y-Plate-Left using 4 x M5-Low-Profile-25mm bolts & 4 x M5-
Nylon-Nuts. On each bolt, in-between the ACME-Nut-Block and Y-Plate-Left, there should be an
Aluminium-Spacer-3mm and a Precision-Shim. Only loosely tighten these bolts so the ACME-Nut-
Blocks can still move side to side.
B. Thread a Y-ACME-Lead-Screw through both ACME-Nut-Blocks. Tighten the bolts holding one of the
ACME-Nut-Blocks, making sure it is square to the Y-Plate-Left. To remove any backlash, pinch the
loose ACME-Nut-Block towards the previous one, and tighten the bolts holding it. Leave the Y-
ACME-Lead-Screw threaded through the ACME-Nut-Blocks.
2.2.1
ACME Nut Blocks
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 6
2.2.2 Y Wheels & Y-Plate-Inner
A. First attach the bottom right wheel set - insert a M5-Low-Profile-60mm bolt through the Y-Plate-
Left-Assembly from the back. On to this bolt, add an Eccentric-Spacer6mm, Precision-Shim, Solid-
V-Wheel-Xtreme-Assembly, Aluminum Spacer-9mm, Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Assembly, Precision
Shim, and a Eccentric-Spacer-6mm in this order. Next, add a Y-Plate-Inner onto the top of this
assemblage, and then slightly thread on a M5-Nylon-Nut. The rounded portion of the Eccentric-
Spacer-6mm should be inserted into the hole on either the Y-Plate-Left-Assembly or Y-Plate-Inner
(depending on which side it is on).
B. Repeat Step A for the other two wheel sets on the bottom row. For the top row, repeat Step A for
the 4 wheel sets, however for these sets use Aluminium-Spacer-6mms instead of Eccentric-
Spacer-6mms.
C. Once all the wheels are attached the M5-Nylon-Nuts can be tightened down. Ensure that the Solid-
V-Xtreme-Wheels can still rotate freely. On the hexagonal portion of the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm,
there will be one face that is marked with ‘6mm’. Using a spanner, adjust each Eccentric-Spacer-
6mm so that this face is facing downwards. Doing this maximizes the gap between the top and
bottom row of wheels.
D. Run any piece of C-Beam extrusion in between the two rows of wheels. Initially, the C-Beam will
wobble between the wheels. Turn the assembly upside down so the C-Beam is sitting on the row
of wheels with the Aluminium-Spacer-6mms. Starting with an outside pair of wheels, adjust both
Eccentric-Spacer-6mms down onto the C-Beam Extrusion until there is a small amount of friction
between both wheels and the C-Beam Extrusion. When adjusting the pair of Eccentric-Spacer-
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 7
6mms ideally they should be adjusted identically. However, sometimes one will need to be
adjusted slightly more than the other to get both wheels engaged with the C-Beam extrusion.
Repeat this for the other outside pair of wheels, and then again for the middle pair.
E. Slide the C-Beam extrusion back and forth through the wheels. This should require a small amount
of force, and all wheels should spin as it rolls. Also check there is no wobbling of the extrusion.
Once happy, double check the tightness of the M5-NylonNuts.

WorkBee CNC 8
2.2.3 Stepper Motor
A. Slide the 1/4” side (the side with the smallest hole) of the Flexible-Coupler onto the shaft of the
NEMA23-Stepper-Motor. Don’t tighten it down at this point.
B. Attach the NEMA23-Stepper-Motor to the threaded holes on the Y-Plate-Left using 4 x M5-Low-
Profile-50mm bolts and 4 x Aluminium-Spacer-40mm’s. Orient the NEMA23-Stepper-Motor so that
the wire is towards the back of the Y-Plate-Left (the side closet to the small rectangle opening).

WorkBee CNC 9
2.2.4 Repeat
A. Except from Section 2.2.3, repeat the rest for Section 2.2 for the Y-Plate-Right. As seen above it
should be a mirror image of the Y-Plate-Left-Assembly apart from the stepper motor.

WorkBee CNC 10
2.3 X-Carriage Assembly
A. First attach the top right wheel, insert a M5-Low-Profile-30mm through the Z-Plate from the back
(the back is the side with the insets). On to this, add an Eccentric-Spacer-6mm, Precision-Shim,
Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Assembly and a M5-Nylon-Nut in this order. The rounded portion of the
Eccentric-Spacer-6mm should be inserted into the hole on the Z-Plate. The assembly can be
tightened, ensuring the Solid-V-Xtreme-Wheel can still rotate freely.
B. Repeat Step A for the other two wheels on the right row. Repeat Step A for the 3 wheel sets on
the left row, however for these sets use Aluminium-Spacer-6mms instead of Eccentric-Spacer-
6mms.
C. On the hexagonal portion of the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm, there will be one face that is marked with
‘6mm’. Using a spanner, adjust each Eccentric-Spacer-6mm so that this face is facing to the right.
Doing this maximizes the gap between the left and right row of wheels.
D. Run any piece of C-Beam extrusion in between the two rows of wheels. Initially the C-Beam will
wobble between the wheels. Turn the assembly so the C-Beam is sitting on the row of wheels with
the Aluminium-Spacer-6mms. Starting with an outside wheel, adjust the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm
down onto the C-Beam Extrusion until there is a small amount of friction between the wheel and
the C-Beam Extrusion. Repeat this for the other outside wheel, and then for the middle wheel.
2.3.1
Z Wheels
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 11
E. Slide the C-Beam extrusion back and forth through the wheels. This should require a small amount
of force, and all wheels should spin as it rolls. Also check there is no wobbling of the extrusion.
Once happy, double check the tightness of the M5-Nylon-Nuts.

WorkBee CNC 12
2.3.2 Z ACME Nut Block
A. Attach the ACME-AB-Nut-Block to the Z-Plate using 2 x M5-Low-Profile-25mm bolts. In-between
the ACME-AB-Nut-Block and Z-Plate on each bolt there should be an Aluminium-Spacer-3mm and
a Precision-Shim.
B. With the set screw provided with the ACME-AB-Nut-Block, screw it into the smaller threaded hole
on the top until it is just before the point of touching the surface on the opposite side of the gap.
The set screw will later be used to remove any back lash from the system.
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 13
2.3.3 X ACME Nut Blocks
A. Attach 2 x ACME-Nut-Blocks to the X-Plate-Back using 4 x M5-Low-Profile-25mm bolts & 4 x M5-
Nylon-Nuts. On each bolt, in-between the ACME-Nut-Block and X-Plate-Back, there should be an
Aluminium-Spacer-3mm and a Precision-Shim. Only loosely tighten these bolts so the ACME-Nut-
Blocks can still move side to side.
B. Thread the X-ACME-Lead-Screw through both ACME-Nut-Blocks. Tighten the bolts holding one of
the ACME-Nut-Blocks, making sure it is square to the X-Plate-Back. To remove any backlash, pinch
the loose ACME-Nut-Block towards the previous one, and tighten the bolts holding it. Leave the X-
ACME-Lead-Screw threaded through the ACME-Nut-Blocks.
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 14
2.3.4 X Wheels & X-Plate-Front
A. If you have the full kit version of the WorkBee, now would be a good time to complete Section
4.2.1 of the WorkBee Full Kit Assembly manual, as access to the threaded holes is much easier
now before the plate is assembled.
B. First attach the bottom right wheel set - insert a M5-Low-Profile-60mm bolt through the X-Plate-
Front through the side with the insets. On to this, add an Eccentric-Spacer-6mm, Precision-Shim,
Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Assembly, Aluminum-Spacer-9mm, Solid-V-Wheel-Xtreme-Assembly,
Precision Shim, and an Eccentric-Spacer-6mm in this order. Next add the X-Plate-Back-Assembly
onto the top of this assemblage, and then slightly thread on a M5-Nylon-Nut. The rounded portion
of the Eccentric-Spacer-6mm should be inserted into the hole on either the X-Plate-Front or X-
Plate-Back-Assembly (depending on which side it is on).
C. Repeat Step A for the other two wheel sets on the bottom row. For the top row, repeat Step A for
the 4 wheel sets, however for these sets use Aluminium-Spacer-6mms instead of Eccentric-
Spacer-6mms.
D. Once all of the wheels are attached the M5-Nylon-Nuts can be tightened down. Ensure that the
Solid-V-Xtreme-Wheels can still rotate freely. On the hexagonal portion of the Eccentric-Spacer-
6mm, there will be one face that is marked with ‘6mm’. Using a spanner, adjust each Eccentric-
Spacer-6mm so that this face is facing downwards. Doing this maximizes the gap between the top
and bottom row of wheels.
E. Run any piece of C-Beam extrusion in between the two rows of wheels. Initially, the C-Beam will
wobble between the wheels. Turn the assembly upside down so the C-Beam is sitting on the row

WorkBee CNC 15
of wheels with the Aluminium-Spacer-6mms. Starting with an outside pair of wheels, adjust both
Eccentric-Spacer-6mms down onto the C-Beam Extrusion until there is a small amount of friction
between both wheels and the C-Beam Extrusion. When adjusting the pair of Eccentric-Spacer-
6mms, they should be adjusted identically. However, sometimes one will need to be adjusted
slightly more than the other to get both wheels engaged with the C-Beam extrusion. Repeat this
for the other outside pair of wheels, and then again for the middle pair.
F. Slide the C-Beam extrusion back and forth through the wheels. This should require a small amount
of force, and all wheels should spin as it rolls. Also check there is no wobbling of the extrusion.
Once happy, double check the tightness of the M5-NylonNuts.

WorkBee CNC 16
2.3.5 X & Z Mating
A. Mate the Z-Plate-Assembly to the X-Carriage-Assembly in the orientation seen above. Use 8 x M5-
Low-Profile-20mm bolts and 8 x M5-Nylon-Nuts to secure the two assemblies together. Make sure
the Z-Plate-Assembly is square to the X-Carriage-Assembly. The Allen key can be inserted through
access holes on the X-Plate-Back to gain access to the bolt heads.
M5-NYLON-NUT

WorkBee CNC 17
2.3.6 Z Extrusion
A. Slide the C-Beam-250mm through the Z-Wheels on the X-Carriage-Assembly. Attach the Z-End-
Mount-Motor and Z-End-Mount-Bottom using 8 x M5-Low-Profile-15mm bolts. Tighten the Z-End-
Mount-Motor bolts fully. For the Z-End-Mount-Bottom, tighten the bolts fully, and then loosen by
a single full turn (the reason for this will become clear later).

WorkBee CNC 18
2.3.7 Z Stepper Motor
A. Slide the 1/4” side (the side with the smallest hole) of the Flexible-Coupler onto the shaft of the
NEMA23-Stepper-Motor. Don’t tighten it down at this point.
B. Attach the NEMA23-Stepper-Motor to the threaded holes on the Z-End-Mount-Motor using 4 x M5-
Low-Profile-50mm bolts and 4 x Aluminium-Spacer-40mm’s. Orient the NEMA23-Stepper-Motor
so that the wire is towards the back of the X-Carriage-Assembly.

WorkBee CNC 19
2.3.8 Z ACME Screw
A. Slide the Z-ACME-Screw through the bottom of the Z-End-Mount-Bottom. Then slide on a 688ZZ-
Bearing, 8mm-Shim, and a 8mm-Lock-Collar in this order. Make sure the flat side of the 8mm-
Shim is against the 688ZZ-Bearing.
B. Next, thread the Z-ACME-Screw through the ACME-AB-Nut-Block, it may be hard to thread the Z-
ACME-Screw through the ACME-AB-Nut-Block for the first time. Once through, slide on a 8mm-
Lock-Collar, 8mm-Shim, and a 688ZZ-Bearing in this order. Make sure the flat side of the 8mm-
Shim is against the 688ZZ-Bearing.
C. Fully thread through the Z-ACME-Screw until it is touching the NEMA23-StepperMotor shaft.
Position the Flexible-Coupler so it is half on the Z-ACME-Screw and half on the NEMA23-Stepper-
Motor shaft. Once in position, tighten the screws on the Flexible-Coupler, making sure one is on
the flat portion of the motor shaft.
D. Slide the 688ZZ-Bearing in Step B up the Z-ACME-Screw until it seats in the inset on the Z-End-
Mount-Motor, then slide up the 8mm-shim onto the bearing, and finally slide up 8mm-Lock-Collar
so it is firmly against the 8mm-Shim and lock it in place using the grub screw on the side.
E. Repeat Step D for the parts in Step A, but this time lock them into the inset on the Z-End-Mount-
Bottom.
F. In Section 2.3.6 Step A, locate the four M5-Low-Profile-15mm bolts that were left a full turn from
tight. These can now be fully tightened. Doing this will remove any play that may be present from
Step D & E in this section.