Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress.
Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
MendelMax Lower Vertex Lower
Description
Has little guides to constrain the 20mm Misumi extrusions. Helps line everything up during assembly and increases the strength considerably.
** These are out of date **
Until I find time to organize all the parts I finalized, the concept is to use the T-slot itself for a parallel fitting/guidance. Just print so that a 6mm nub slots into the channel (see cross section of Misumi AL-extrusions)
You want a fit that is just right, so you may need to tweak the model or your settings. If it ends up loose, it provides no benefit and too tight will make something (plastic or Al) to deform/flex.
I added the only photo I could find at the moment. It shows the part (blue) from the inside (so you can't actually see much of it). Look in the upper left corner of the photo.
The model I ended up with has a place for motor wires to channel through it (you can see a black channel cover leading into that)
It also shows the red Y-rod braces that use the same guidance. (which works really well btw).
**
** These are out of date **
Until I find time to organize all the parts I finalized, the concept is to use the T-slot itself for a parallel fitting/guidance. Just print so that a 6mm nub slots into the channel (see cross section of Misumi AL-extrusions)
You want a fit that is just right, so you may need to tweak the model or your settings. If it ends up loose, it provides no benefit and too tight will make something (plastic or Al) to deform/flex.
I added the only photo I could find at the moment. It shows the part (blue) from the inside (so you can't actually see much of it). Look in the upper left corner of the photo.
The model I ended up with has a place for motor wires to channel through it (you can see a black channel cover leading into that)
It also shows the red Y-rod braces that use the same guidance. (which works really well btw).
**
Instructions
** again.. the following is the old stuff **
The MM 1.5 lower vertex braces in the vertical position seemed to use a lot of plastic with little benefit to the strength of the part. (compression strength parallel to the lamination is not so good). The part doesn't actually need more strength for the purposes of printing, but if transport the machine, in the backseat of your car for example, the original MM_1.5 lower frame parts were prone to laminative partitions and propagation. These damages may not even be visible, but they still change the physical dimensions of the part, especially when an oscillating force is applied. (it moves more than it should)
At first, I decided to simply rotate the part so the largest face was flat against the bed. I was ready to print them one at a time (on TOM with ~15% infill) and noticed the flat orientation allows for little guides that could fit the 20mm extruded Al parts from Misumi.
I set the guides to the holes and reduced the sides of the guide by 0.1 mm on each side.
I tacked on 4mm to beef up the front and hide the M5 bolt heads.
Assembly is really easy, as the extruded parts are constrained nicely over the bolt holes.
Updated the LV lower now named constrained lower vert..
I stuck in two little supports for the long extrusions, elongated the guide nubs and raised a little retainer on the top of the part to seat the lower vert upper part. It won't make the corners of the lower frame look as pretty, but now I don't worry about unwanted shifting when I take it places.
The MM 1.5 lower vertex braces in the vertical position seemed to use a lot of plastic with little benefit to the strength of the part. (compression strength parallel to the lamination is not so good). The part doesn't actually need more strength for the purposes of printing, but if transport the machine, in the backseat of your car for example, the original MM_1.5 lower frame parts were prone to laminative partitions and propagation. These damages may not even be visible, but they still change the physical dimensions of the part, especially when an oscillating force is applied. (it moves more than it should)
At first, I decided to simply rotate the part so the largest face was flat against the bed. I was ready to print them one at a time (on TOM with ~15% infill) and noticed the flat orientation allows for little guides that could fit the 20mm extruded Al parts from Misumi.
I set the guides to the holes and reduced the sides of the guide by 0.1 mm on each side.
I tacked on 4mm to beef up the front and hide the M5 bolt heads.
Assembly is really easy, as the extruded parts are constrained nicely over the bolt holes.
Updated the LV lower now named constrained lower vert..
I stuck in two little supports for the long extrusions, elongated the guide nubs and raised a little retainer on the top of the part to seat the lower vert upper part. It won't make the corners of the lower frame look as pretty, but now I don't worry about unwanted shifting when I take it places.
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License
MendelMax Lower Vertex Lower by solidification is licensed under the Attribution - Creative Commons license.
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Could you post a pic of how these look installed?
I searched, but the finalized models and photos must be on my other laptop. I did add a (not very helpful) photo though!
I have been meaning to upload all the finished parts (the machines are tough and have a little extra friction on all the parts. They go together without a fuss and calibration is simple. The only downside is printing 1-2 at a time rather than all 4 in one shot. But that is well worth it.
here
is another not-so-helpful view (again from the inside).. but I want to point out, if you look at the very center, you can see a little lip on the outer parameter. This forces the upper portion of the "lower vertex" to go where it's supposed to go, so when it gets all screwed in, it's in the right sp
ot.