Zav L Family Printer

The Zav L Family Printer is an FDM 3D printer from Zav with a 200 x 200 x 200 mm build volume.

Specifications

The Zav L Family Printer (commonly known in the maker community as the ZAV-L) is an advanced, high-precision version of the classic open-source DIY ZAV printer. The letter "L" in its name signifies its primary mechanical upgrade: the transition to a full Linear Rail motion system across all three axes (X, Y, and Z). This design upgrade addresses one of the primary mechanical bottlenecks of earlier models: play, sagging, and wear associated with traditional smooth guide rods and LM8UU linear ball bearings.

• Kinematics & Motion (X/Y): The machine utilizes a high-precision CoreXY kinematic layout.

Calibration

Installing steel linear rails onto a wooden chassis requires careful alignment to prevent the carriages from binding. Below are the 8 steps for calibrating the ZAV-L:

• Alignment and assembly of parallel Y-axis rails

Plywood can have minor thickness variations. To mount the two parallel Y-axis rails without binding, fully tighten the left rail first. Mount the right rail loosely (so the screws are not fully tightened). Link both rail carriages together using the cross-gantry (X-axis).

Common defects

• Hardware defects and mechanical weaknesses
• Binding in budget MGN linear rails: Many DIY builders buy cheap linear rails that suffer from manufacturing defects: uneven ball tracks, poorly sized ball bearings, or metal grit inside the carriage. This causes the carriage to catch at certain spots, leading to layer shifts.

What it is used for

Best use-cases

• High-speed, high-precision prints: Thanks to the linear rails and lightweight gantry, the ZAV-L excels at printing mechanical parts with tight dimensional tolerances (such as threads, gears, and press-fit assemblies).