8mm Self aligning Igus bearing

thingiverse

This bearing can replace many bearings used for linear or rotational movement. Suitable for 8mm stainless steel rods usually supplied with cheap chinese 3D printer kits. Do it before they are marred by the LM ball bearings :) The ball is made using Igus filament. The housing can be PLA, ABS whatever. The ball exterior must be smoothed using abrasive cloth or a file. Mounting it on a 8mm bolt then a drill press or regular drill will make the job easy. Use an 8mm reamer for the interior. This is mandatory as the surface finish from the 3D print is not suitable for proper operation. The housing interior has to be finished too using for ex. a small abrasive ball (about 6 to 12). To install the ball, you have to align it sidewise with the cuts in the housing, force it, then rotate it. The axis to mounting surface and distance between mounting holes are the same as the SC8U series and can replace them. PS: The IGUS ball is designed with a bigger theoretical ID to compensate for the Igus filament behavior giving a smaller ID. The other is closer to 8mm ID yet should have enough "meat" for adjustment with a reamer. I added a new ball better suited to linear movements. For a regular slim line bearing see here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1828789 See also : http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2108914 that is suitable for radial and axial mount.