There are two main methods of mounting the Z1-3D to your desk. One method makes use of the clamp, and the other requires a hole to be cut out in your desk. We chose to opt for method one as it gives greater flexibility for positioning the monitor arm, whereas the second method is more permanent. If you do choose to go down the more permanent route, we would advise taking your time before making any modifications to your desk. The included documentation provides a very easy to understand step by step guide on how to assemble the arm and to mount it.
There are a few things to note before attempting any installation with the first being the maximum thickness of the desk. This is 65mm, so be sure to measure your desk beforehand. The next thing is the type of desk the Z1-3D can be mounted to. Arctic advise that desks which are made from a honeycomb structure recycled paper should not be used. Desks that are made from more durable materials such as fiberboard, wood and particleboard are okay to use. Also, make sure that you have a Philips head screwdriver to hand as you’ll require one for the installation process. It is also worth noting that this type of monitor arm should not be used with a glass desk as the pressure from the clamp system would break it. If you do wish to use a monitor arm, then wall mounting would be the best choice. Arctics, W1B would be a great an ideal pick as it offers great flexibility and built-in cable management.
As we mentioned, we opted for mounting method one and the following will illustrate that. Step one of the assembly is very straightforward. You will need the M6 screws (12mm), the 4mm hex key, the USB hub and the clamp. All you then have to do is align the screw threads at the bottom of the USB hub with the holes in the clamp, then insert and partially tighten the screws in place. You will then use the hex key to fully tighten the screws ensuring that you don't over-tighten them.
The next step is to mount the pole to the hub. There is a threaded mount at the top of the hub, and all you have to do is thread the pole into the threaded mount. Once tightened you can use the 3mm hex key to lock the pole into place. The next step is to then mount the clamp, and USB hub to your desk. First, you’ll need to loosen the clamp to make sure it fits around your desk. Once you place the clamp around your desk, you would then tighten the mechanism. We’d advise not to do this too tight at first, just to make sure that you are happy with the placement. Once you are, you can then tighten it, again making sure not to over-tighten it.
This step you attach the VESA mount to the gas-lift arm. For this, you’ll need the 5mm hex key, the nut and 30mm Allen screw. First, you have to align the VESA mount with the bracket on the arm, then insert the Allen screw through the centre. Next, you have to hold the nut in place on the underside of the arm and use your free hand to tighten the Allen screw into place.
For this step, there are two ways to do it. One method would be to first attach the monitor to the VESA mount and then lift the entire thing and align it with the pole. The other would be the mount the arm onto the pole first and then mount the monitor to the VESA mount. We opted for the first method as we found that easier to manage. For this step, you will need either the M5 screw or the M4 screw depending on the thread type of the VESA mount on the back of your monitor. Also, you may require the spacer if your monitor isn’t perfectly flat. You will also need a Philips head screwdriver as one isn’t supplied. To install the VESA mounting head to the VESA mount on the monitor, you want to lay your monitor flat, while making sure to protect the screen to prevent any damage to it, then use the correct screws to attach the mounting head to the VESA mount on the monitor. You can then lift the whole thing and align the hole in the arm with the pole. Once in place, the next step is to find the correct position that suits you best.
The next steps are to simply sort out the final positioning as well as plugging in the USB hub and to manage any cabling. Positioning is all about preference, and we’d advise taking your time to make sure that it is spot on. Once you are happy, you can then refer back to the manual and tighten all the areas that need it. The cable management is quite easy thanks to the built-in cable management clips and included cable clip. For the hub, all you require is a spare USB 3.0 port in your PC and access to a mains outlet.
The finished look you can achieve is very nice and clean, especially when taking a bit of care with the cable management. The design of the hub does help to as all the cables outlets are located around the back.
There are a few things to note before attempting any installation with the first being the maximum thickness of the desk. This is 65mm, so be sure to measure your desk beforehand. The next thing is the type of desk the Z1-3D can be mounted to. Arctic advise that desks which are made from a honeycomb structure recycled paper should not be used. Desks that are made from more durable materials such as fiberboard, wood and particleboard are okay to use. Also, make sure that you have a Philips head screwdriver to hand as you’ll require one for the installation process. It is also worth noting that this type of monitor arm should not be used with a glass desk as the pressure from the clamp system would break it. If you do wish to use a monitor arm, then wall mounting would be the best choice. Arctics, W1B would be a great an ideal pick as it offers great flexibility and built-in cable management.
As we mentioned, we opted for mounting method one and the following will illustrate that. Step one of the assembly is very straightforward. You will need the M6 screws (12mm), the 4mm hex key, the USB hub and the clamp. All you then have to do is align the screw threads at the bottom of the USB hub with the holes in the clamp, then insert and partially tighten the screws in place. You will then use the hex key to fully tighten the screws ensuring that you don't over-tighten them.
The next step is to mount the pole to the hub. There is a threaded mount at the top of the hub, and all you have to do is thread the pole into the threaded mount. Once tightened you can use the 3mm hex key to lock the pole into place. The next step is to then mount the clamp, and USB hub to your desk. First, you’ll need to loosen the clamp to make sure it fits around your desk. Once you place the clamp around your desk, you would then tighten the mechanism. We’d advise not to do this too tight at first, just to make sure that you are happy with the placement. Once you are, you can then tighten it, again making sure not to over-tighten it.
This step you attach the VESA mount to the gas-lift arm. For this, you’ll need the 5mm hex key, the nut and 30mm Allen screw. First, you have to align the VESA mount with the bracket on the arm, then insert the Allen screw through the centre. Next, you have to hold the nut in place on the underside of the arm and use your free hand to tighten the Allen screw into place.
For this step, there are two ways to do it. One method would be to first attach the monitor to the VESA mount and then lift the entire thing and align it with the pole. The other would be the mount the arm onto the pole first and then mount the monitor to the VESA mount. We opted for the first method as we found that easier to manage. For this step, you will need either the M5 screw or the M4 screw depending on the thread type of the VESA mount on the back of your monitor. Also, you may require the spacer if your monitor isn’t perfectly flat. You will also need a Philips head screwdriver as one isn’t supplied. To install the VESA mounting head to the VESA mount on the monitor, you want to lay your monitor flat, while making sure to protect the screen to prevent any damage to it, then use the correct screws to attach the mounting head to the VESA mount on the monitor. You can then lift the whole thing and align the hole in the arm with the pole. Once in place, the next step is to find the correct position that suits you best.
The next steps are to simply sort out the final positioning as well as plugging in the USB hub and to manage any cabling. Positioning is all about preference, and we’d advise taking your time to make sure that it is spot on. Once you are happy, you can then refer back to the manual and tighten all the areas that need it. The cable management is quite easy thanks to the built-in cable management clips and included cable clip. For the hub, all you require is a spare USB 3.0 port in your PC and access to a mains outlet.
The finished look you can achieve is very nice and clean, especially when taking a bit of care with the cable management. The design of the hub does help to as all the cables outlets are located around the back.