<p>Linear actuator would be the proper name for the mechanism driving the movement along a single axis. There are 2 linear actuators driving the X-axis platform (for a Prusa i3 Cartesian printer, or the build platform for a raising bed Cartesian printer like a CoreXY, H-bot, etc.), the collection of parts could be named the Z-axis assembly.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T11:48:10.160Z
and, How is it called for the X and Y axis?
Nau
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T12:04:15.873Z
X-axis is ofren caled X-axis assembly or portal/cantilever ; Y-axis is usually the Y-axis assembly or Bed-movement ; This does not work for a CoreXY, where X and Y are called the "Horizontal" and Z the Bed-movement.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T22:07:15.517Z
2020-01-28T22:07:15.517Z
0scar
<p>How do you call the mechanism that allows linear motion along the Z-axis in a Cartesian 3D Printer? </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jJetV.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jJetV.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I know what the individual parts are; it is a lead screw, a smooth rod ... but how do you call the mechanism that allows this linear motion?</p>

<p>Mechanism is defined as: an assembly of moving parts performing a complete functional motion, often being part of a large machine</p>

<p>So I guess, it has to have a name, doesn't? .. but I am unable to find it</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T19:47:06.977Z
I would go with "z-axis mechanism". Not everything has one word for its name.
Andrew Morton
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T20:33:50.423Z
I would like to analyze it .. I think it is possible to do that with Kinematics .. But I am not sure where do I start .. Maybe in the Math or Physics Stack Overflow, but first I would like to have an idea of what to do ..
Nau
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T20:58:00.043Z
I would suggest "z-axis assembly" to refer to the collection of all the parts that contribute to z-axis motion/stability.
p.s.w.g
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T21:15:01.687Z
So, I would go the same with the "x-axis assembly" and "y-axis assembly" .. I don't know ..
Nau
<prusa-i3><z-axis><printer-building><linear-motion>
How do you call the Z-axis mechanism in a Cartesian 3D Printer?
Nau
# How do you call the Z-axis mechanism in a Cartesian 3D Printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-28)

How do you call the mechanism that allows linear motion along the Z-axis in a Cartesian 3D Printer?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jJetV.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/jJetV.jpg)

I know what the individual parts are; it is a lead screw, a smooth rod ... but how do you call the mechanism that allows this linear motion?

Mechanism is defined as: an assembly of moving parts performing a complete functional motion, often being part of a large machine

So I guess, it has to have a name, doesn't? .. but I am unable to find it

**Tags:** prusa-i3, z-axis, printer-building, linear-motion

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I would go with "z-axis mechanism". Not everything has one word for its name.  
> **username_0**: I would like to analyze it .. I think it is possible to do that with Kinematics .. But I am not sure where do I start .. Maybe in the Math or Physics Stack Overflow, but first I would like to have an idea of what to do ..  
> **username_2**: I would suggest "z-axis assembly" to refer to the collection of all the parts that contribute to z-axis motion/stability.  
> **username_0**: So, I would go the same with the "x-axis assembly" and "y-axis assembly" .. I don't know ..  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-01-28. Score: 1

Linear actuator would be the proper name for the mechanism driving the movement along a single axis. There are 2 linear actuators driving the X-axis platform (for a Prusa i3 Cartesian printer, or the build platform for a raising bed Cartesian printer like a CoreXY, H-bot, etc.), the collection of parts could be named the Z-axis assembly.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: and, How is it called for the X and Y axis?  
> **username_4**: X-axis is ofren caled X-axis assembly or portal/cantilever ; Y-axis is usually the Y-axis assembly or Bed-movement ; This does not work for a CoreXY, where X and Y are called the "Horizontal" and Z the Bed-movement.  

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