This linear axis design avoids steel plain rods and linear bearings/bushings, instead using a lasercut structure with low-cost low-friction tape forming plain bearings.
The I-beam structure makes it very rigid, and trapped-nut pockets for M4 on all sides allows to use it as standard basis for constructing machines, similar to how aluminum profiles are used today.
Quick video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqJivOp4JyQ
Part of the TapeCore project, https://github.com/jonnor/tapecore
Next tests is to construct the axes out of multiple smaller pieces, to test whether one can build axis longer than the lasercutter. Both for making large machines, and for future self-replication.
For the pulley and idler you can use, http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1850661
Vitamins needed:
Designed for 6mm material (MDF/plywood/acrylic), can be changed in the included FreeCAD source.
| ibeam-2t.dxf | 485.5KB | |
| ibeam-motoridler.dxf | 36.7KB | |
| ibeam-slider.dxf | 3.0KB | |
| ibeam-slider.fcstd | 42.6KB | |
| ibeam2t-motor.fcstd | 48.9KB | |
| ibeam2t.fcstd | 333.0KB |
