The X and Y motion is controlled by the stepper motors hooked up to this chain/belt drive. I haven’t seen anything quite like it before. It’s a polymer chain of some kind. The good thing is the way the steppers are isolated from the chain that’s driving each carriage, I have some easy gearing options if I want to change the ratios for fast or slower movement.
Tension looks like it is adjustable at the point where the chain meets up with each carriage.
The Z motion is controlled by a stepper motor with a lead screw penetrating through the middle of it.
