Clamp-style X-ends for 3/8 inch Acme rod and LM8UU bearings

thingiverse

The original author of these X-ends is Aleph Objects, who have a great clamp-style end variation featuring a double-nut with spring column for anti-lash and head-crash protection, an integrated spring "perch" or "seat", a fully-enclosed double LM8UU bearing column, an improved x-rod clamping area, and an integrated nut-trap and screw for z-endstop mech switch triggering. While these ends were almost perfect, the author wanted to move from regular threaded rod to Acme rod and found inexpensive 3/8-16 oil-finish Acme rod at Enco. After trying Aleph Object's design, they printed files from Thingiverse (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:14812) but still felt that it was not exactly what they wanted. They then created their own versions of the X-motor and X-idler ends with some added features such as double-nut with spring column for anti-lash and head-crash protection, an integrated spring "perch" or "seat", a fully-enclosed double LM8UU bearing column, an improved x-rod clamping area, and an integrated nut-trap and screw for z-endstop mech switch triggering. The author used OpenSCAD to design these ends, but only STL files are available. After running the files through NetFabb and verifying them, they printed each end and required hardware such as M3x16 screws, M3x35 screws, M3 nuts, M3 washers, heavy Acme hex nuts, and springs. Assembly was straightforward, with clamping of the upper and lower pieces together on the x-rods using M3x16 screws, washers, and nuts. The ends also have integrated lower spring "seats" and an optional printed upper seat for the spring. The LM8UU bearing column is standard Prusa height, and a cylindrical bearing separator is used between bearings. However, the author found that it was designed too long and needed to be filed or sanded for a tight fit.