Hi Folks, I was just about to start printing the parts for a LR3 when I saw that the LR4 had been released, Thank you guys.
Is it possible to 3D print the XZ plates instead of aluminium? I have a 500mm³ printer so I think size will be fine.
My plan would be to use the LR4 to then cut out Aluminium XZ plates.
What thickness should I print them?
Is there an STL or do I have to copy the .dxf file?
Thanks in advance.
I think 3D printed XZ plates are usable. I was able to machine aluminum plates using them.
Thanks, What thicknedd did you make them for 3D printing?
I made thrm the same as the aluminium plate that I bought for a direct swap, 1/4" (actually 6.4mm for the 0.2mm layers 3D printed. I printed 70% infill.)
Good to know. Thank you for your help. I think I will try the same & keep my fingers crossed 
Editing my post due to bad info, soo sorry!
The printables listing only has DXFs intended to be used to cut plates, not a printed option.
From the Docs:
While it is possible to create an STL from the DXF and print the XZ plates, I don’t think that is recommended for long term use.
I can’t remember for sure, but it seems like there was a discussion at some point about the large amount of stress on the XZ plates on one side and that the printed plates may not hold up.
@vicious1 may need to confirm, but I would have to assume this is the reason why there is no printed option included.
Sunny yellow brick road to joy and success is to buy or mill Alu Plates, strongly recommend
If buy/making Alu isn’t possible for some reason(s), then consider printing these, but then use your LR4 to mill Alu XZ plates.
That said… Since printable XZ’s are usable, but we don’t have lots of testing/feedback data yet, have posted a remix I used with recesses to help M3 bolts engage linear rail block better, includes hole features for printing plates upside down if you have a nice (but flat) pattern on your print bed plate. Also, printing in that orientation may help improve flatness of the plate surface that connects to the Beam’s end braces. Again, Alu plates would be better for rigidity/strength and probably flatness. View these as temporary XZs.
Printed 70% infill, 3 walls, 3 top and bottom layers, 0.6mm nozzle.
Shared on…
https://www.printables.com/model/1047962-printable-xz-plates-for-lowrider-4
and https://github.com/aaronse/v1engineering-mods/tree/main/lowrider4/mods/xz-plates
fwiw - printed plates during RC3, and verified via eyeballs and fusion that LR4 released .DXFs still match…
Also… Welcome to the forum @Champ1800 ! Hope you have a great build experience, and you quickly get to enjoy using your new CNC. Cheers!
That is awesome. Thank you for this it will definitely help.
I do plan to use the LR4 to mill its own XZ plates once it is up & running. The way I am currently going I might be lucky to have it done before end of the year 
In saying that I am really looking forward to it & building new things with it.
I’m sure I will have many many more questions as I start to get it running as I have never done any CNC before 
I highly suggest you purchase a set of XZ plates from the V1 store. While it is possible to mill your own. It’s not a good starting point for sure. It takes a little while getting used to running the machine and setting up cam before you will be ready to mill aluminum. I don’t say that to discourage you but I also don’t want to see you get discouraged trying to jump straight into cutting aluminum either.
Guessing Graham lives in Ireland based on his bio. So, $$$ shipping + taxes.
I would prefer to aswell but the problem is that shipping to Ireland is another €50 + customs & taxes on top of that which makes them quite expensive for me. So all in the 2 plates would cost me close to €100 which is just too much for 2 aluminium plates.
So I could make a mess of a few aluminium plates myself for that cost & learn a lot while I am at it.
@Champ1800 I’m in the UK and also considering this approach. Did you get anywhere with it?
so I used printed plates to make Aluminum, i hate using MUST as a word, but in the end you MUST have aluminum. The difference is insane.
I’ve built LR4 beta, RC1, RC2, and RC3.
I’ve used printed XZ plates and milled aluminum XZ plates.
Yes, there is a 100% difference.
Use Milled plates.
I recycled the printed plates. Junk by comparison.
My thinking was this:
build with 3d printed plates
get machine working well enough on floor to cut strut plates from mdf
get machine working well enough on floor to cut aluminium
cut aluminium plates
swap out 3d printed plates with alu ones
use machine to cut tortion box table
???
profit
Buy plates, cable extensions, jackpot and ESP from Ryan. Profit.
Yes indeed, the problem is the expense and import duty 
PS I’ve been studying your YouTube channel and your setup is excellent 
I know, but buying the jackpot from Elecrow is not really less expensive, the stepper drivers are more expensive as well, aluminium isn’t cheap as well, if you mess the plates up, it’s going to be expensive as well. 
I self sourced the Primo and LR3 as well but later bought the jackpot and plates from Ryan. So I can understand that.
Thanks so much. 
