HyperCube LM8UU Bearing Clamp

thingiverse

This is a bearing clamp for the X Axis of Tech2C's HyperCube Core XY Printer (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1752766). When used in conjunction with the 8mm XY Joiners (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1768619) these clamps should enable you to use the readily available 8mm linear rods in the X axis. I remixed the "dual_bushing_holder" part of Tech2C's HyperCube Core XY printer. In the United States metric material can be difficult to find and is usually expensive. I was unable to locate a 10mm Aluminum tube that was anodized (anodised) and it is much more economical for me to use 8mm linear rods, which are easy to find in the United States, thanks to the RepRap movement. What you need: QTY 6: M3-0.5 x 25mm QTY 6: M3-0.5 nyloc nuts NOTE: This is a work in progress. I have printed these and used them to clamp LM8UU bearings to the X carriage, but I have not finished building a HyperCube printer yet, so I do not know if this works as intended. I have some Igus bushings on order, and I will update this once I have tried them. NOTE DEUX: The uploaded pictures are of a part that was hastily cleaned up, so it looks a bit rough. Function was more important than aesthetics and my ALunar printer is practically falling apart. Once I have a working, assembled, HyperCube printer I will reprint and upload prettier pictures. Update 9/15/16: This part requires six 25mm M3 screws in the X axis, as opposed to the 20mm M3 screws that the HyperCube design calls for. Here is a long explanation: It was necessary to increase the thickness of the mounting tabs, as compared to the part "dual_bushing_holder," which this Thing replaces. The reason for this is that an LM8UU bearing has a larger diameter than the SF-1 bushing in the original Tech2C design. Thus, the shell is closer to the screw holes, meaning that there would be insufficient clearance for a nut if the tabs were thinner. From a mechanical perspective, the thicker tabs may also add strength which is good since the tabs in this design have increased torque applied to them, as compared to the dual bushing part, because this part is providing clamping force to secure the LM8UU bearing. Update 9/26/16: My 8mm rails and Igus bushings have arrived. I have assembled the X gantry and carriage. Everything lines up, and there is practically zero play in the X carriage. I will post pictures once I receive the rest of my parts and have assembled the machine. Print Settings Printer Brand: RepRap Printer: ALunar Prusa Mendel i3 Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Doesn't Matter Resolution: .2 mm Infill: 100% Notes: I printed this in PETG with a brim, but it's probably not necessary. You obviously need to print two of these if you are planning to use an 8mm linear rod for both X axis rails. How I Designed This I imported Tech2C's STL of the dual_bushing_holder part into Sketchup and modified the original part to create this Thing. I have included my .SKP file, for those are might like to modify my design further.