Customizable Alignment Clip for OpenBeam

thingiverse

I needed a way to align my openbeam rail with an existing device built using threaded rod - not a solid attachment, but rather a relative positioning aid since both parts need to be worked on independently. So I created this simple clip to achieve that. Hopefully someone else will also find it useful. This is part of a system of designs that converts an Open Beam into an optical rail. An optical rail is a long, straight, sturdy rail onto which optical components such as light sources and lenses can be bolted down and easily moved along the length of the rail. Commercial optical rail sells for $250+/m. Open beam only costs $12/m for the fancy black anodized stuff. You get the idea. This component is inspired by the Open-source optics project, whose goal is to radically reduce the cost of scientific optical hardware, by the Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group. Custom Section OpenSCAD code is included for modifications. Just print on your favorite 3D printer and clean up. The clip fits onto the end of the OpenBeam as seen in the pictures. The provided STL should provide a tight fit for 15mm OpenBeam. You can get OpenBeam at http://www.openbeamusa.com.