Open-source lab jack
Description
This component is part of the open-source optics project, whose goal is to radically reduce the cost of scientific optical hardware: appropedia.org/Open_source_optics by the Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group. mse.mtu.edu/MOST
This is part of a larger project to reduce the cost of scientific equipment using open-source hardware. Read more: mtu.academia.edu/JoshuaPearce/Papers/1935580/Building_Research_Equipment_with_Free_Open-Source_Hardware
Instructions
This works well and can get a good quality z-axis small change for any standard optical arrangement. However, the gearing is a bit sticky so will need improved if you are going to automate with lots of precise height changes.
Full information here: appropedia.org/Open-source_lab_jack
Thanks to Nick for the designs and GregFrost for the gears.
This component is part of the Open-source Optics Library: Zhang C, Anzalone NC, Faria RP, Pearce JM (2013) Open-Source 3D-Printable Optics Equipment. PLoS ONE 8(3): e59840. plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0059840
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Thanks Joshua!
I wanted to design one myself, but for quite a different application:
Holding test equipment for Radiation Quality Assurance Testing...
Cheers,
Q
I knew it was just a matter of time before someone beat me to this :-D
In that main photo, is that upper level in a wrong way? I thought it should only move up/down, not sideways in doing so..
And that stickynes in gearing.. Slower ratio should make it smoother to use, now there is 2:1 ratio and your turning two nuts.. So one turn of crank makes basicly 4 turns for nuts. 1:1 would be better, 1:2 might be smooth (and you only need one more bigger gear to test it). 25% speed might be a
little slow for handcrank thought..
I dont know how much smooth movement is needed, but i would probably add some way for quick adjustment.. Say about 20-50mm steps for quicker adjustment.
As for the build platform, it only moves up and down. What do you mean by "Moving Sideways"
We are using M4 Threaded Rod. So I designed it using a 2:1 Ratio to give it a speed advantage so it doesn't take 5 minutes to raise and lower it.
The quick adjustment is a very good idea, I'll look into making that work.
Nice!!
&
lt;- two thumbs up
Could also have many other applications too.
I see the crank is using threaded rod which appears to go into a nut?? So does the crank move in and out, then how do the gears align?
What am I missing?
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Just wondering if you have details of all the other parts that are needed for the jack? I can see they are all threaded rods? But not sure what is between the scissor bits just below the top platform?