Captive Ring Lift

thingiverse

The experimental captive ring lift was designed to create a versatile platform for a cutting-edge smartphone microscope. Design requirements: - The stage must remain flat and stable under load, whether static or in motion - Incremental, smooth one-handed height-adjustment is essential - No adhesives or support materials are allowed - Reversible disassembly and replaceable parts are necessary - A window for backlighting is required I opted for the screw mechanism as it's a widely recognized operation that doesn't need explanation. Similarly, using pegs in assemblies is something most people are familiar with, even if it involves octagonal pegs and teardrop-shaped holes. I've found they require less tuning and are more forgiving regarding tolerances between printers. There are files for three pegs of different diameters available. I find the 4.0mm pegs work well in PETG when printed without a brim, but my Ender 3 PLA prints required a brim and 3.9mm pegs worked well after trimming the excess plastic. You may need to print a few of each size to determine which works best for you. The window in the center measures 45.75mm x 55.4mm (~1 13/16”x 2 3/16”) and is friction fit into the assembly. To create a complete captive ring lift, you'll need to print: 1 x Base 1 x Ring 2 x Stage 4 x Peg The parts should be ready to use straight off the print bed. If there's resistance when turning the ring on the base, check to make sure the threads are clear of debris and stringy plastic. Assembly: Insert the pegs into the four holes of one of the stage pieces. Carefully maneuver the ring past the guides into the slot below. Line up and push together the other half of the stage, trapping the ring in place. The ring should spin freely in the stage assembly. Slowly screw the ring onto the base while being careful to line the guides of the stage with their corresponding channels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_9x3mtD_Do