Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel (V2) Build Instructions

This article will guide you through hardware selection, 3D printing, and assembly of your pick ‘n’ place wheel.

The wheel can be assembled as a manual wheel, or a motorized wheel, in both cases the wheel itself must first be assembled, the wheel also has two sizes, the default Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel(ALPNPW200) and the large Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL(ALPNPW300), this page features the parts and assembly steps for both sizes.

Make sure you have all the hardware and 3D-printed parts for your chosen wheel size.

The images in this slide were prepared using the large Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL, although the steps are the same for both sizes, keep in mind that if you are assembling the smaller wheel, screw counts may differ and images will not look exact.

attach wheel 1 bearing to the WHEEL BASE

16004 for the default wheel, 16007 for the large (XL) wheel.

Insert 3 M3 heat inserts to the top of the WHEEL BASE.

screw on the top surface bearing holder using 3 M3x6mm bolts.

(Installing turn-to-lock tabs)

Screw on the 3d Printed LOCKING TABS to WHEEL 1 and 2 COVERS using M2x8mm self-tapping screws.

(Installing encoding magnets)

If you plan to use the Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel in the manual mode, this step is essential, but if you know you will only use the wheel in its motorized form, you can skip this step, I recommend installing the magnets in any case as it allows you the flexibility of switching between manual and motorized modes.

The magnets are installed in an alternating pole configuration.

If you have decided you are going for the motorized wheel and you don't need the encoding magnets, simply screw on the magnet holders without the magnets installed.

For the large wheel (XL), the magnets are press-fit or glued into the magnet holder parts, before they are secured to the WHEELS using M2x6mm self-tapping screws.

For the default wheel, the magnets have to be glued directly to WHEEL 1 & 2.

attach wheel 1.

attach wheel 2 bearing to wheel 1

6810 for the default wheel, 6815 for the large (XL) wheel.

attach wheel 2

attach placing surface bearing to the top surface bearing holder

16001 for the default wheel, 16003 for the large (XL) wheel.

attach wheel 1 and wheel 2 transparent covers

attach placing surface

Attach 8x2mm rubber base pads to the wheel base, skip this step if you are assembling the full motorized wheel, it will be attached later on.

install pick ‘n’ place wheel control board

This is the end of assembly for the Manual wheel, continue to the next steps for the motorized wheel assembly.

Attach WHEEL FEET to the previously assembled wheel: This involves installing M3 heat inserts to the holes in the WHEEL BASE, and screwing on the 3 parts that make up the WHEEL FEET part. (Using M3x8mm bolts)

Install heat inserts and grub screws into wheel 1, wheel 2, and surface motor gears (2 inserts in each)

Install MF83ZZ bearing to wheel 2 and surface idler gears, this should be a tight fit, glue them in if you have to.

Prepare to install idler gears, “after installing stepper motors”

Install Stepper Motors

2x M3 Aluminum Bushing Gasket

Install gears in the orientation shown.

The herringbone gears need to be mated before they are fixed in place.

The grub screw for WHEEL 1 MOTOR GEAR should be left loose at this point.

Secure placing surface idler gear

Using M3x14mm

Secure wheel 2 idler gear

- Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel 

using M3x16mm

- Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

using M3x18mm

(Install HOMING BOARD)

Using 2pcs M2x12mm self tapping screws , HOME PART, and HOME BOARD PROTECTOR

attach MECH BOARD to the MECH BOTTOM part

install stepper drivers (TMC2208 v1.2)

Set current to 600-700ma

<left right>

ENABLE VMOTOR

- GND

- 2A

- 2B

- 1A

- 1B

STEP VDD

DIR GND

Connect the HOME BOARD to the MECH BOARD using SH 1.0mm 5P connector

Connect the STEPPER MOTORS to the MECH BOARD using PH 2.0mm 6P connector

Screw together MECH TOP, MECH MIDDLE, and MECH BOTTOM

Using M2x12mm self-tapping screws

(Attach the MECH ASSEMBLY to the PICK ‘N’ PLACE WHEEL)

Everything should slide into place, except for wheel 1 which will likely require some adjustments to the WHEEL 1 MOTOR GEAR.

Align the gears and secure the grub screws when you have a satisfying gear mate

You can power and test the wheel at this point, but make sure the MECH ASSEMBLY is properly attached to PICK ‘N’ PLACE WHEEL before connecting power.

Attach 8x2mm rubber base pads to the wheel base

If you wish to permanently secure the mini encoder to the wheel, install an M3 Heat insert to the encoder’s base and secure it to the MECH BOARD from the back of the MECH BOTTOM part.

Using a M3x16mm bolt

The homing board will only respond to one of the poles of a magnet, so simply install the homing magnets with a random side facing up, if you notice the wheels keep rotating when you try to home them, simply flip the magnet and then home the wheels again. 

You must install homing magnets for wheel 1, wheel 2, and the placing surface.

For proper homing, the placing surface homing magnet has to be opposite to wheel 1 and wheel 2’s homing magnet, so if you attached wheel 1 and 2 homing magnets with the north side facing out, then the south side must face out on the placing surface.

The steps following this are only required if you plan on using a Raspberry Pi/screen on your wheel, skip them if you will be controlling your wheel from a separate PC.

Install 4x M3 heat inserts to the RASPBERRY PI HOLDER part if you’re using a raspberry pi, if not install the heat inserts directly to the SCREEN HOLDER part

Install the raspberry pi board

secure with 4x M2x12mm self-tapping screws.

install the screen using the screws bundled with it

Assemble the hinge mechanism using 2x M5x35mm bolt and nut,

the red parts are washers printed in TPU.

Screw on one side of the hinge mechanism to the back of the RASPBERRY PI HOLDER part or the SCREEN HOLDER part

Using 4x M3x8mm bolt

if you’re not using a raspberry pi, Install 4x M3 heat inserts directly to the SCREEN HOLDER part,

and the HINGE attaches directly to the screen holder part.

Install 4x M3 heat inserts to the MECH TOP

Screw on the other side of the hinge mechanism to the MECH TOP part (Using 4x M3x8mm bolt)

Optional

How to attach the TPU seals if you are using them.

Optional

How to attach the wheel keys if you are using them.

Downloads:

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel (ALPNPW200)

Requires a 3D printer with at least a 200 x 200mm Bed size

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL (ALPNPW300)

requires a 3D printer with at least a 300 x 300mm Bed size

Hardware for (Manual Wheel)

1pcs Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel Control Board (Default or XL)

8x2mm Neodymium Magnets: 

• 36 pcs (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 54pcs (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

M3 heat inserts: 

• 3pcs, M3 outer diameter 4.2mm, 3mm length (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 3pcs, M3 outer diameter 4.2mm, 4mm length (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

3pcs M3x6mm Ultra thin head bolt

16pcs M2x8mm self-tapping screws

17pcs M2x6mm self-tapping screws: only required for Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

Wheel 1 bearing:

• 1pcs 16004 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 1pcs 16007 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

Wheel 2 bearing:

• 1pcs 6810 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 1pcs 6815 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

Placing surface bearing:

• 1pcs 16001 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 1pcs 16003 ball bearing (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

3D Printed Parts (Manual Wheel)

WHEEL 1

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel

48 slot 

OR 16 slot

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

72 slot 

OR 24 slot

WHEEL 2

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel

24 slot 

OR 8 slot

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

36 slot 

OR 12 slot

PLACING SURFACE

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel

68.4mm Dia Surface: Default for this wheel size, and allows access to wheels 1 & 2. 

OR 117mm Dia Surface: Large placing surface, allows access to only wheel 1. 

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

123mm Dia Surface: Default for the XL wheel size, and allows access to wheels 1 & 2. 

OR 179mm Dia Surface: Large placing surface, allows access to only wheel 1. 

WHEEL BASE

Print with a high shell thickness, 3 - 4mm = 5 - 6 walls on a 0.6mm nozzle.

MAGNET HOLDERS

These parts are only required for the XL wheel, they are used to hold the encoding magnets.

Wheel 1 Magnet Holders

Magnet holder for 72-slot wheel 

OR Magnet holder for 24-slot wheel

Wheel 2 Magnet Holders

Magnet holder for 36-slot wheel 

OR Magnet holder for 12-slot wheel

TOP SURFACE BEARING HOLDER

SEALS

If you intend to move the wheel around a lot you may want to print these seals in TPU to secure the components in their slots, make sure to print the appropriate seal for your chosen wheel size and for the selected slot counts.

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel

Wheel 1 Seal (48 or 16 slots)

Wheel 2 Seal (24 or 8 slots)

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

Wheel 1 Seal (72 or 24 slots)

Wheel 2 Seal (36 or 12 slots)

WHEEL COVERS

This is the transparent cover for the wheels, this parts can be 3D printed, Laser or CNC cut from transparent acrylic, DXF file included.

3D-printed wheel covers

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel covers (wheel 1/ 2 - 48/ 24 slot)

Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL covers (wheel 1/ 2 - 72/ 36 slot)

CNC wheel covers

WHEEL KEYS

These are used to lock the wheels to prevent them from rotating, they are also useful for isolating the rotation of each wheel when using the manual Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel.

Wheel 1 & 2 Keys

WHEEL LOCKING TABS

These are used with the wheel covers to achieve the turn-to-lock mechanism for the wheels.

Wheel 1 Tabs (5pcs)

Wheel 2 Tabs (3pcs)

Hardware for (Motorized Wheel)

All the hardware quantities listed below are in addition to the ones used for the manual wheel

1pcs Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel MECH BOARD (Default or XL)

1pcs Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel HOME BOARD (Default or XL)

1pcs Magnetic Rotary Encoder MINI BOARD

3pcs Nema-17 23mm stepper motor 0.42N.m 1.5A

3pcs TMC2208 V1.2 Stepper Driver

M3 heat inserts: 

• 16pcs, M3 outer diameter 4.2mm, 3mm length (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 18pcs, M3 outer diameter 4.2mm, 4mm length (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

3pcs PH 2.0mm 6P Double-ended Terminal Line Length 15-20mm (Reverse side connector)

1pcs SH 1.0mm 5P Double-ended Terminal Line Length 10mm (Reverse side connector)

1pcs ZH 1.5mm 6P Double-ended Terminal Line Length 20-30mm (Reverse side connector) optional.

2pcs M3 Aluminum Bushing Gasket (inner diameter - M3 / Thickness - 5mm)

2pcs MF83ZZ Deep Groove Flange Bearing

Ultra Thin 1mm Wafer Head M3 Bolt

• Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel

• 18pcs M3x8mm

• 2pcs M3x16mm

• 1pcs M3x14mm

• 12pcs M3x6mm

• Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL

• 20pcs M3x8mm

• 2pcs M3x16mm

• 1pcs M3x18mm

• 12pcs M3x6mm

2pcs M3 nuts

6pcs M3x4mm hex socket grub set screw

M2x12mm self-tapping screws:

• 26pcs M2x12mm self-tapping screws (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel)

• 32pcs M2x12mm self-tapping screws (Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel XL)

1pcs IPS 7Inch 1024 x 600 HDMI Touch screen (optional)

3D Printed Parts (Motorized Wheel)

MECH BOTTOM

MECH TOP

MECH MIDDLE

WHEEL FEET

WHEEL 1 MOTOR GEAR

WHEEL 2 MOTOR GEAR

SURFACE MOTOR GEAR

WHEEL 2 IDLER GEAR

SURFACE IDLER GEAR

WHEEL 2 IDLER GEAR SPACER

HOME PART

HOME BOARD PROTECTOR

SCREEN MOUNT

SCREEN HINGE (2 sets)

This is a multi-body part containing 3 separate parts, so you will need to split it in your slicer.

CONNECTING PIECE

SCREEN HOLDER

SCREEN BEZEL

RASPBERRY PI HOLDER

If you are going to be running the Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel App from a raspberry pi you need to print this part, skip it otherwise. 

MAGNETIC ROTARY ENCODER MINI

The mini encoder is a standalone product that connects to and controls the motorized wheel, it is not strictly required, as you can already fully control the wheel from the app.

You can get the mini encoder as a kit or fully assembled here.

See assembly instructions for the Mini Encoder >

After acquiring the required hardware and 3D printing the required parts, scroll to the slide at the top of the page to begin assembling your Pick ‘N’ Place Wheel.