Why not use 4 lead screws for Trident?

[Gozto]

Printer Model

Trident'ish printer

Extruder Type

Other

Cooling Type

Other

Hi all,
I have been googling quite some time now and this wonderful community!
Long story short, I first bought a used CR10s, then realized this world was 100% for me. Then I bought a Ender 5 Plus and do the ZeroG Mercury mod. Now, I am repurposing most of my old CR10s and I have made my Mercury work with Trident's 3 lead screw setup.
My gantry level is OK, but not to the level I really want and I think the I can get to the next level by adding an extra lead screw so I can do QGL.

Now the question: Why are no one else building Tridents with 4 x lead screws? Is there a mechanical limitation that I just cannot see?

 

[StevenB]

4 leadscrew printers are common and, well common. The designer simply didn't want to do what everyone else did.

Or he only had three leadscrew motors on Parts Mountain.

Either case it's a design decision more than any mechanical limitation.

 

[yell]

3 points is all you need to level a plane. using 4 is over constraining the fixed gantry, V2 works because the gantry is held together with plastic which can bend.
btw there is a V2 with 4 leadscrew :O

 

[NoGuru]

Cost and complexity. Keep the cost down and make it as simple as possible.

 

[Sanity Agathion]

Now the question: Why are no one else building Tridents with 4 x lead screws? Is there a mechanical limitation that I just cannot see?

Three points are enough to define a plane in our three-dimensional universe. An 8-10 mm aluminium build plate is sturdy enough to define it as a plane, so three points are enough to get it into any position needed for printing. 4 may be overconstraining it.

Besides, it's a Trident not a... Quadent? A Fork?

 

[Gozto]

Thank you all for your great support!!
I will take the following with me!
1 it can be done, but might not be the best idea/not needed
2 a new for my printer: FrankenFork thanks @Sanity Agathion