Dovetail Stepper Slide

thingiverse

##28BYJ-48 Mechanical Actuator #1 I've always been intrigued by the potential of 28BYJ-48 stepper motors in conjunction with 3D printed parts. This motor, included with most Arduino kits, is a robust 5V DC motor capable of producing up to 15 RPM and delivering around 4 oz-force/in of torque. You can acquire these motors with their drivers for approximately $2 each. ##Direct Drive Dovetail Stepper Slide While dovetail slides are not ideal for long travels or fast speeds, they offer exceptional accuracy when equipped with a gib to the dovetail way, allowing for adjustments to clearances between ways and carriage, thereby reducing backlash. This design is a direct drive slide as the drive screw is directly attached to the stepper motor's shaft. However, this setup comes with the drawback of significant slop in the motor's shaft due to its inability to handle axial loads. The upcoming v3 slide will address this issue by incorporating an integral bearing flange. The 28BYJ-48 motor has a maximum RPM of 15, and with a drive screw pitch of 0.5 inches, the maximum speed achievable is 7.5 inches per minute. This motor can handle roughly 7 pounds of weight on the carriage. By applying grease to both the drive screw and way, the load capacity and lifespan can be significantly increased. The video showcases the slide's repeatability after several hours of operation, demonstrating an accuracy of only 0.01 inches off location. The mounting holes on the base, carriage, and endplate are designed to match up seamlessly, enabling multiple slide assemblies to be bolted together to create a two or three-axis cartesian system. ##Required Components - M3 Nut (14x) - M3 SHCS x 6mm lg. (2x) - M3 SHCS x 10mm lg. (2x) - M3 FHCS x 10mm lg. (2x) - M3 SHSS x 16mm lg. (4x) - 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor You can find a set of five stepper motors and drivers, including the 28BYJ-48, at this Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2KJI6yz. To see the mechanical actuator in action, watch these videos: https://youtu.be/Yq39Y9Z1tzk and https://youtu.be/WCNtUWE9mQ0.