This is a shaft coupler that I have used in several of my designs. It couples the 1/4 20tpi threaded rod to a NEMA 23 stepper motor. There is an allowance for the motor shaft to use a section of rubber surgical tubing to allow for some play in the output.

Update:

The latest release of this can be obtained from github.com/Pacmanfan/UVDLPSlicerController/tree/master/UVDLP/Published

I have just release the initial 05 alpha version. Check reprap.org/wiki/Creation_Workshop for the reprap page and instruction manual.


Hey Everyone, I've been working recently on building a UV-Resin based 3d printer with a DLP projector. One thing that I have noticed is the complete lack of open-source software for UV-Printers. What I am uploading here and hosting on GitHub ( github.com/Pacmanfan/UVDLPSlicerController ) is an open source project that can be used to:
1) Load and Slice Models
2) Control a 3d UV/DLP printer.

Take note that this software is still alpha, and I haven't finished the actual hardware portion of my printer yet.

To answer a few questions ahead of time:
-This project uses C#, and seems to work on Windows and Linux (under Mono) just fine. Mac is untested.
- Yes, my STL loader has some bugs, your models may or may not work, I'm fixing it.
- Multiple monitors are supported. The secondary monitor on the system is assumed to be the DLP display monitor.

I'm using my Generic Printed Axis as the Z-Axis for this printer. thingiverse.com/thing:37123

I'm also using a cheap 1024x768 Infocus DLP projector from Ebay.

I hope to address all the mechanical issues surrounding this very soon.

I'm looking for others who can contribute to this project.

You can follow me on my BlogSpot : probjectblogs.blogspot.com/

I went ahead and plated up the various DXF's from thingiverse.com/thing:35372 .
There are 3 plates that measure 2'x3' (609.6 mm X 914.4 mm) and 2 plates that measure 1'x2' (304.8 X 609.6)

These plates should fit nicely on a variet of laser cutting machines.

Hello Everyone! I made a NEMA 23 sized version of my Generic printed axis. I'm currently using this for the Z-Axis on my CNC mill. It's Rock-Solid. I use 8mm rods and LM8UU Linear bearings in the slider.

I know Halloween has come and gone this year, but I wanted to share a quick cookie cutter I made for a friend. Enjoy!

Shown here is a generic printed axis. I designed and printed this one today to be the Z-axis for a Stereolithographic UV 3d printer I'm making. I will upload more progress about the printer as I make it. This axis seems to work well enough. I used 3/8" steel rods and bushings, because that's what I had laying around. I also used 1/4" 20tpi threaded rod. The SCAD file is generic, so you can change a few variables to make it 1/4 - 8mm rod compatible. I also used piece of plywood as a base.
I built the axis to be 300mm overall length, you can choose any length you'd like. I would recommend using an lm8uu or equivalent for your rod diameter instead of bushings. When you change to lm8uu's or other, you'll need to adjust the slider to fit.

Shown here is a study of the basic design for the PrintrBot. After analyzing the PrintrBot flicker stream, it was apparent that several versions were present. I picked and chose several design elements from multiple models and created an amalgamation shown here. Do not expect this to be an exact copy.

Included is the SCAD file for manipulation. Pay attention to the notes and comments when making changes.

I make no guarantee about the functionality or printablilty of parts. In order to make a functioning PrintrBot clone, you will also need the following parts:

8mm threaded rod
8mm rail
lmu88 (a bunch)
extruder, steppers, controller,etc...

and here are some additional printed parts you will need:

Idler Pulley for XAxis :
thingiverse.com/thing:3970 - whosiswhatsis

Timing Belt Pulley for X / Y Axis:
thingiverse.com/thing:1362 - Erik
thingiverse.com/thing:2079 - NopHead
thingiverse.com/thing:6604 - makeme

5mm to 8mm shaft couplers:
thingiverse.com/thing:11708 - Petehagoras
thingiverse.com/thing:10906 - raldrich

Additionally, The Y-pulley idlers need to be designed to provide tension of the y-belt to the Y-Motor.

Feel free to provide some constructive criticisms. If you make changes to a part, please send them to me.
-PMF

Shown here is a portion of my 8th version of the MultiRep. I'm not sure how well this device is panning out, but I wanted to post it for posterity. This version has a few interesting features:

Printed Linear rails and shuttles riders
Printed threaded rods
Use of dovetails for connectors

This axis would be perfect for use EXCEPT the threaded rod is too wobbly, binds a bit too much, and was difficult to align. Could I use a metal threaded rod? Of course, however I consider that a failure of design. My ultimate goal is to remove ALL non-printable parts from the design.

I'm going to start working on my 9th version now, which greatly reduces printed parts and adds stability, Feel free to cannibalize any parts you see here. You may need to change around some paths in the scad file to get it to compile.
-S

This is a small 200m test print of some threaded rod I made along with a matching nut. It is a double helix with 1 turn per 50mm. The math works out like this:

For a standard 200 step/ rev stepper motor
50mm / 200 step = .25mm per step
add in a 2:1 gearing or half step motor controller and you have .125 mm/step
add both and it's .0625 mm/step

From what i can tell, there is no perceptible backlash and the nut slides very freely.

I'm sure I'm going to incorporate this into my shuttle system or a printer somehow.
Enjoy...

Edit:
As per request, Here's a video of it:

youtube.com/watch?v=Hkjf8x__SrE
The video shows that it's loose enough to slip down on it's own.
I would recommend printing one to test tolerances for yourself.

Edit 6/18/2011
Uploaded the quad helical nut/thread. This should help with any wear issues, as well as addressing any concerns with backlash.

This is the 5th version of my printable linear rail, I've gotten everything to finally work correctly. This can be used as a drop in replacement for a 3d printer's X or Y axis. It's rail system is designed to connect together to form any needed length.

This machine hopefully will be my entry for the Gada prize.


Update 06/16/2011:
I worked out a few modifications to the shuttle. Now the lower half of the shuttle can be printed as well, this removes:
4x 5/16(8mm) nuts
2x 5/16(8mm) bolts
2x 5/16 washers

-The next to go is going to be replacing the front 5/16(8mm) hardware with all printed parts. I'm trying to pare this down just the motor and the printed parts.

-I also redesigned the Large helical gear to incorporate the 608 bearing embedded inside of it. think this is an advantage of trying to use 2 bearings in the pillow block. The large helical gear is also now held in place by a printed 8mm bolt 40mm long. This removes one additional piece of hardware.

-The shuttle top now has 4 mounting holes, although I'm just securing the motor with 2 at this point.

-I printed 2 new 3-segment rails, redesigned lower half of shuttle to be printed.
-I also added 2 new pics of the x/y gantry system and uploaded all new parts - I should have another video.

Update 04/30/2013
It's been brought to my attention that the rack file was missing from this. I have uploaded both the rack stl and scad file. Enjoy!

Here is a youtube video of it in action:
youtube.com/watch?v=ScJMPw6UPtw

Comments and feedback are welcome.

I have made a bunch of improvements in this design, and I would consider it my first real "success".
Changes:

1) I changed the pressure angled of the V-groove from 45 to 22.5 so the v-groove bearing are easier to print.
2) many modifications to the shuttle and added in adjustment screws, slide tracks, etc for mounting
3) changes to the bearing system, I'm now using 608 bearings with a v-groove sleeve.
4) changed the height of the tube, the herrringbone track is now printed separately and inlaid into the track space.

My to-do list includes:
-More shuttle modifications
-Mods to the motor mount
-Cleaning up code
-Usage of parametric printed bearings
-get rid of all nuts and bolts and replace with printed materials

This is my WIP of a linear rail system. It consists of 2 main parts, the shuttle and the rail. The rail has 2 v-grooves that the v-groove bearing of the shuttle fit into. The rail also has a linear rack that will mesh with the gear drive system contained in the shuttle.

The rails are designed to be connected together end-to-end so any length can be accommodated.

The shuttle will also contain a stepper motor propelling itself along the track via a gear.

I believe that with a little more work, I can expand this design into a full fledged 3D system that can be used for 3d printers, laser cutters, light CNC milling,etc...

I'm surprised how well the shuttles v-bearings ride in the track. Overall, it appears to be very stable. I may add some additional bearings between the shuttle and the top of the track to support heavier loads.