3d Printable Rotary Rolamite Bearing
Description
If you print this out please give me feedback on how well it works or if you're feeling really generous send one to me...
Instructions
Step 1: print all parts, print six of the parts named rolamite_roller_print_six.stl, and one of every other part.
Step 2: Mold the flexible silicone band. Fill the channel in the part named rolamite_band_mold1.stl with silicone, be careful not to create any bubbles in the silicone when you do this. Next either scrape the excess silicone off the top with the back of a knife as you would when measuring out a cup of flour, or put rolamite_band_mold2.stl onto it and apply pressure. One way of doing this is to put M8 studding through the hole in the molds, put two nuts on the end of it, and tighten. Or you could use clamps or something heavy.
Step 4: After the silicone has finished curing, carefully remove the flexible silicone band from the mold by going around the edges with a toothpick. Trim excess silicone.
Step 5: assemble parts according to picture.
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Ran across rolamite several years ago but have never found much in real life. I am interested in using it to drive the X and Y axis for an laser engraver 4' by 4'. Anyone ever use it in real world? akransom@tx.rr.com
This is great as it has potential of removing a vitamin from a Rep Rap build
I had an idea for an alternate configuration. this would require 3 bands and possibly grooves in the rollers for them to sit in but would enable a larger shaft diameter with the same diameter bearing.
it basically extends the original design to designs to incorporate more rollers. It does so by adding a two exterior bands that pull the spacer rollers outwards while pushing the load bearing rollers outwards.
I have no 3d modeling skills or a 3d printer(though I want to acquire both) so I would
appreciate it if someone were to model this and put it on thingiverse.
Look interesting, but although three rollers are nicely cinched in and won't slip, the other three are not cinched in and will slip. Also there is only point-contact with the outer race so that under load, the inner mechanism as a whole will slide against the inner surface of the outer race. The Patent for the Rotary Rolamite might be worth looking at. A video, a hugely detailed descriptive document and the patent are all available for viewing at http://www.ErikBrinkman.com/Sc...
In the real Rotary Rolamite (ScrollerWheel), all the rollers are cinched in.
We'll see how this works once it's printed. At this point, I'm more worried about the silicone band stretching causing slipping. This can be solved by integrating nylon fiber into the band. Also this bearing is intended for a printable stepper motor that fits on to reprap Darwin. In order to make a stepper motor that fits on reprap Darwin, the bearing has to be small. I don't think it would be possible to make a bearing like that would fit into my printable stepper motor design.
Not only that, the patent on that hasn't expired yet.
Hi there, what exactly is rolamite for? Your link appaers to be broken...
Cheers,
Matte
This would be a great use for those trendy silicone bracelets that were a fad a few years ago. http://www.global-b2b-network.... My company calls them SRBs and they measure 2mm thick, 12mm wide and 203 mm in circumference for the adult size. I can't print it, but it would be great to see a revision for this common item.
Looks really interesting! I think I'll print it when I return from my holidays...
License
More from Gene_Hacker
Gene
You have driven rollers on both the inside and outside of the belt. Since the belt has a thickness they will try to turn at slightly different speeds, putting it in a binding condition. One set needs to be an idler or tensioner as in the original design.