Customizable Optical Rail Mount for Makerbeam 1010

thingiverse

This is a modification of http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30491 I added a bolt to secure the rod, corrected the nut orientation, and made it adaptable. The included STL file accommodates 10mm Makerbeam, 8mm smooth rod, and M3 nuts and bolts. The design is part of a comprehensive system of prints that transforms Makerbeam into an optical rail. An optical rail is a long, straight, sturdy track onto which optical components such as light sources and lenses can be attached and easily shifted along the length of the rail. Commercial optical rail systems sell for $250+/m, while Makerbeam costs only $12/m for high-quality black anodized versions. This component draws inspiration from the [Open-source optics project](http://www.appropedia.org/Open_source_optics) aimed at reducing the cost of scientific optical hardware by the [Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Research Group](http://www.mse.mtu.edu/MOST). UPDATE: The design is now slightly smaller, utilizing measured sizes and some flexibility for the nuts to minimize slot size. It also provides a tighter fit on the post/rod. Nuts are now optional; users can choose to use them in the rail slot.