This forum is still new and may look a bit empty at the moment.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your questions. If you are building a Raw Creative 2.5, planning your build or wondering about parts, setup or assembly, feel free to start a topic.
I will do my best to answer questions and help as much as I can. As more builders join, the forum will grow into a useful place for tips, build discussions and shared experience.
The ball screw version of the Raw Creative is also in development, but it is not fully ready yet.
This version is very interesting for builders who want a more precision-focused machine, especially if the machine does not need to be extremely large. Ball screws can give very smooth movement, good repeatability and high accuracy when installed correctly.
The plan is to publish the illustrations and drawings first, so members can start understanding the layout, components and mechanical setup. The full build video will come later.
This takes time because these are not simple machines. There are many details that need to be correct, such as ball screw alignment, bearing blocks, motor mounting, couplers, screw support, calibration and general assembly order.
Many of the parts used in the belt version will also be reused for the ball screw version. The frame, linear rails, motors, electronics and many general components are the same or very similar.
The parts that change are mainly related to the drive system. The ball screw version uses ball screws, bearing blocks, couplers and different mounting plates instead of belts, idlers or rack and pinion parts.
The steel plates are different between the drive versions, so if you build one version and later want to convert to another, some plates will need to be changed.
To make this easier, we also have steel plates available on our website. Some of these plates are designed to be more universal between the different versions, which makes it easier to build or upgrade without starting completely from zero.
So in short: the ball screw version is coming, but it is not fully documented yet. I will release the illustrations first, and then the video will follow when it is ready.
Hello Janne, Is there any update on the progress of the Ball Screw Version?
I didn't realize the ballscrew version was still in development... I too would be interested about any updates (as this is my preferred build). Just so I can get started, will the base be the same as the belt and RP builds?
Hi, the ballscrew version is ready but i have to do the illustrations for it, im working on that and hopfully it is ready soon
Hi Janne,
I too am interested in the ball screw version as I've got the motors, linear rails, ball screws & gearboxes (10:1 reduction), controller, and some of the aluminium extrusions. I have to hang fire now to see how the side plates change.. I'm interested to see at what position you place them, and whether there is a need/preference for a belt at the far end to synchronise the ball shafts?
I have connected the motors to the controller just to get the feel of it, and all is working fine (on the bench). Just wondering what your ETA is.
I do of course have other projects that I can play with while I'm waiting. 😎
All the very best 👍
Hello Janne, Is there any update on the progress of the Ball Screw Version?
Hello Janne, Is there any update on the progress of the Ball Screw Version?
Hi, sorry for the late reply, im working on the ballscrew driwings right now and it will be out in a few days.
There is a lot going on in the background right now, so I have not posted every update yet.
One of the things we are working on is making it possible to offer parts across Europe very soon. This should make the build much easier for many people, instead of having to source everything separately.
I will write more about this in a separate thread when I have more information.
The plates and assembly illustrations for the ball screw version are now available.
The BOM list is not 100% finished yet, but what is missing is mainly a few screws and smaller hardware items. You can still start and build the machine using the available plates, illustrations and current build information.
I will update the BOM list when the final details are confirmed.
The plates and assembly illustrations for the ball screw version are now available....
Many thanks, 😎 I'll have a peruse.
I've had a look, and my plates are very small.
The height of the large side plates is 32.54mm, could you advise the correct size so that I may scale them.
Hi, that is correcet, but in mm so 325,4mm
I also like to mention:
You can purchase ball screws that are longer than required and cut them to the correct length. In fact, this is the recommended approach.
Instead of using the standard end support supplied with the ball screw bearing kit, you can use a 12 mm KFL001 flange bearing at the opposite end.
Simply allow the ball screw to extend slightly beyond the bearing and cut it to the required length. This makes it easier to adjust the ball screw length without additional end machining.
You can Google KFL001 bearing to see what this type of bearing looks like.
Excellent, thank you. 👍