Okay I just can’t come up with an easy way for me not to have to build 3 machines for the 3 size conduit that is out there. Adding hardware and cost seems like a bad trade off. So I ask for your help, the people that get to use there machines more than I do!
So here is my thinking.
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The original was designed to be 3d printed, and possibly injection molded That is why I tried to keep the unique number of parts down, plan was to even use the middle joiners x’s 4 instead of the middle ends. I also thought, foolishly, that all conduit was the same size worldwide.
Find another rail, unique part count doesn’t matter if we are printing it anyway. -
As it is now it is dirt cheap and works better than I had ever hoped. People can continue to use this without feeling like they are missing out if they don’t want to spend a bit more for a slightly better version. Conduit is nice but we can do better.
Second version can cost bit more without pissing anyone off.
3)More rigidity = faster and more accurate. We are carrying a much larger tool than I had originally designed this for and who doesn’t like faster?
Slightly larger diameter tube/rail will benefit the most here, as well as some design tweaks that I learned from the first.
So I am thinking Stainless Steel rails, and a redesign. Nothing drastic same bearings, steppers, controller, same basic layout. Good?
Stainless has better wear properties, more rigidity, but what size? At least 25mm, what size is available in your corner of the world? I can probably find a good source that can ship a kit worldwide and perhaps even ship custom kits. But I am not trying to spend hundreds on rail when the previous stuff works great for $7.
- Name, Need a name for this. It is a cnc platform, a multi function machine. Stick with the original “Melvin”? Not fond of V2 or version 2 or beta.