Screw-drivenLinearStage

Version 1 *DRAFT*

-- Main.VikOlliver - 02 Jan 2006

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1. Summary

This describes how to construct a linear stage envisaged for use in the RepRap from FDM'd parts. As with other RepRap components, this stage was designed to be made by the RepRap rapid prototyper itself, and thus consists of standard parts plus rapid-prototyped components. No modifications are required to the standard components.

The stage designed to be stepped back and forth to an accuracy of better than 0.1mm by means of a stepper motor and threaded rod. The stage is designed to be transported on top of the Vertical Platform, though it can be stacked upon a copy of itself to make a servicable, compact X-Y table.

2. Introduction

The stage makes use of 150mm M6 bolts as guide rails spaced by spreaders, and is designed to be mounted on a square of 4x 4mm bolts at 50mm centres. This matches the top of the Vertical Platform as well as holes in the stage table itself.

A stepper motor is attached to a central support, and a length of studding (threaded rod) is attached to the stepper motor with a flexible plastic coupling such that the studding passes through the centre of a bearing attached to a spreader. Plastic washers and opposing nuts are used to secure the threaded rod to the centre race of the bearing.

The table slides on the four guide rails, and is attached by a restricted sliding linkage to a nut on the threaded rod. Rotation of the rod causes the nuts to draw the table back and forth.

The control electronics are currently hand-assembled, of no fixed abode. No machining other than basic cutting of the hardware is required to assemble the stage itself.

3. Assembly

-- Main.VikOlliver - 02 Jan 2006

• [[File:Screw-drivenLinearStage-screw-driven stage2.aoi: AoI files for the complete stage|thumb]]