Printable X/Y Linear Rail
by PacManFan, published
Description
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.
Recent Comments
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Everyone who's been asking - I have uploaded the rack.stl file, Please give it a print and let me know what you think!
I'm playing with rack-pinion idea right now and start to like them and would try to implement it in my current project, could you add the rack too among the files ? :)
Brilliant work!
Do you print the rack with the rail or print them (horizontally) and glue them together later?
thanks!
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Instructions
I'm working on a complete PDF with pix and assembly instructions, but for now:
First,
Connect rails segments together by hammering in the connector block halfway, and then applying a little super glue afterwords. Coat the matching rail face with superglue or epoxy and hammer in the other side of the rail.
-After connecting rail segments together, use a < 8mm block with medium grit sand paper to sand inside the rails where the shuttle rides so there are no seams. You can "feel" the seams by running the completed shuttle up and down the rail
Additional hardware needed for the shuttle:
1x 30mm 5/16 bolts (or 8mm)
2x matching nuts
1x flat 5/16 washers
4x 608 bearings
1x NEMA 17 stepper motor
3x M3 bolts
1x M3 nut
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I'm playing with rack-pinion idea right now and start to like them and would try to implement it in my current project, could you add the rack too among the files ? :)
Brilliant work!
Do you print the rack with the rail or print them (horizontally) and glue them together later?
thanks!
How about a printed Zen Toolworks CNC rig?
How about printing the rails directly on ABS pipe?
It would be faster, cheaper, stronger and an easy machine to build.
See the picture for explanation.
One thing I'm going to be posting soon is the scad and stl files for an entire printer design I've been woking on - the "MultiRep V1". It uses rails similar to the ones here, but the shuttles are not self propelled. It uses the printable leadscrew design I posted before. It's a basic A-frame design like the Mendal. I actually started printing the Y-Axis of it last night. I can't wait to show everyone. I also have a great design/print for a planetary geared driven peristaltic pump that's going to be used as a paste/ceramic extruder.
Interesting concept. One variation of this is to have 2 counter-rotating tubes, each tube is a threaded rod similar to the ones I posted, but thicker to support the weight. The shuttle then is both propelled and supported by the threaded tubes. The biggest concern would be to ensure the tubes are thick enough not to sag for the entire length.
First axis done, works well. Now on to the next!
Any thoughts on a z axis? There are quite a few on thingiverse already, so I may try a couple.
Could you just let the motor be stationary and have the rail move up and down.
I'm currently working on a printed leadscrew design for a z axis. I'll post very soon.
I just realized, with the first axis I set up I've inadvertently matched the x dimension of the cupcake. Since the plan was to make it square I guess it's pretty easy to ballpark my final size now :)
You should add a V groove to the rail so a groove bearing can be used instead of 2 608 bearings on either side. See this kickstarter project for a pic and video about grooved linear rails.
My first attempt was with a v-groove bearing. The v-groove was easy enough to print, the v-bearing was not.
I was wondering where i can get the file for the straight herringbone rail that interlocks with the tube. This whole project looks great!
Hey, what is the purpose of the "arrow" gears? Does it give more stability? I'm not much of an expert on gears, but I would like to use this for a RepStrap and I was just wondering if it had any purpose besides looking cool : )
I'm using double-helical gearing for the gears and the rack. They are designed to reduce backlash when changing directions and keep the gears centered due to mirrored axial thrust. And yes, they look pretty cool.
So what are the 4 new holes on the carriage around the single bearing for?
They are general purpose mounting holes. That's how I connect the rail to the perpendicular shuttle. I'm glad to see someone else printing the design. Let me know how it goes for you.
Like the design a lot, I scaled the Tube portion @ 1/2 height to increase the number of interlocking parts. with the strength on this I'm not sure it was necessary.
I noticed on the X/Y gantry you made you put a stepper on each side, I'm thinking of trying just 1 and a free sliding carriage. Did you try that? If so, any tips?
also, if you really want to cut down on hardware, I've had rally good luck with building http://www.thingiverse.com/thi... into all kinds of things. Build the inner part into one part as a single piece, then split the outer part in two screwed/snapped or even glued together. If there is enough support material it works great. You could end up trading a bearing vitamin for 2 screws and some BBs, cheaper and easier to come by.
Excellent work, would love to see a video of the two 2 axis in operation. Are two motors needed for the Y axis? would it not be better to transfer the power through the center of the rail to the other shuttle via a printed/threaded rod axle?
Looks great. Why the strange overshoots on the corners of the gear models? Does this somehow improve the printing.
No, that was just an error in the gear script. I'm going to re-write some of the gear generation code myself. The gears work fine with no perceptible backlash.
Very impressive. If you segment the rail design and design in puzzle-like interlocks, you could effectively accomplish a self-printable rail design. :D
That video is a perfect real life example of change blindness btw. If you look at the small gear it appears to be not turning but when you pause the video to compare it's position it obviously is... here's another video describing change blindness...
No....
Its a perfect example of shutter sync.
The same phenomenom that makes car wheels on TV look like they are going backwards, slowing down then changing direction, all while the car moves in one direction and simply changes speed.
The same effect also makes scanlines visible on CRT screens shown on
camera. Amongst other things.
I think you should use this design for the body of the printer:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thi...
This is a snap design without screws , nuts , washers , threaded rods and etc.
I saw that. I actually designed a snap-together too last month but never posted it. I got halfway through printing it and decided it was taking way to damn long. I should post the plans for posterity, but I considered it a dead-end. I opted for a tube structure that could act as a rail and a support.
this is quite an accomplishment. I can't wait to see the results of a printer design using it. You may want to try flipping it upside down so that the motor is stationary and the rail is what is moved, that way the weight of the motor is not carried. Either way the movement seems very smooth and quick so far. Another thing to play with would be an alternative to the skate bearings to marbles or something else that people have been experimenting with, one thing at a time I suppose... this is definitely progress!
Thank you, My next step is to use some of the printed 608 bearings, and replace the two back bolts with a plastic block for the rail bearings.
I had thought of fixing the shuttle in place and moving the rails to create actuators.
I would also like to try something like this design for a tripod:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
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amp;feature=related
I guess the gears could be improved. They don't look like the heringbones are involute.
Could you post the original files too please?
Everyone who's been asking - I have uploaded the rack.stl file, Please give it a print and let me know what you think!