I designed a stepper-driven syringe actuator with a motorized Z-axis for automatic solder paste dispensing
I wanted to share a project I've been working on for quite a while: a stepper-driven syringe actuator with a motorized Z-axis.
The original goal was to create a low-cost automatic solder paste dispenser, but the design could be adapted for many other applications that require precise fluid dispensing. The system uses two NEMA 17 stepper motors—one drives the syringe plunger and the other controls the Z-axis movement.
One interesting use is generating vacuum or suction. With a few modifications, it could potentially be used as a simple pick-and-place system for handling small components or other lightweight objects.
This is probably the model I've spent the most time designing and refining, so I'd love to hear what you think and get feedback from the community.
MakerWorld link:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/2969817-stepper-driven-syringe-actuator-z-axis#profileId-3330412
I'd love some support on MakerWorld if you like the project. Thanks for checking it out, and let me know if you have any ideas for improvements or other applications!