Hypercube Evolution Compliant Linear Bearing

thingiverse

Warning work in progress! Updated version: quicker, easier to print and size - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3366922 10 and 12 mm dia low force and speed linear bearings for 19mm dia housing, 26mm long. These compliant linear bearings are designed for low force and speed applications such as the X carriage on the Hypercube evolution. Bearings for the X axis can be challenging to get working effectively when using carbon fibre rods. The rods may not have a uniform diameter or perfectly round shape, the x carriage bearing holder might not be straight along its axis, and the tightening or fit of the bearing in the x carriage affects the bearing's fit. Furthermore, the x carriage may not have parallel axis separation and the separation may not match the XY carriage joiner, which can cause twist. The compliant linear bearing aims to address these issues by allowing the inner part of the bearing to move slightly and alter angle. This is achieved by having a small amount of material joining the inner and outer parts and by making the bearing proportion out of a thin shell that can conform to the shape of the tube. The thin shell enables the bearing to move more freely without allowing much movement with typical forces encountered in 3D printing. To function properly, this compliant linear bearing requires two bearings on one axis for axial location. It could also be used with just one bearing for the second axis. This is an early version and has not been extensively tested. The only testing was done on my printer, which hasn't seen much use. A small flange on top is designed to engage with a tightening screw to prevent the bearing from coming out of the X carriage if the screw loosens. This design is based on another creation found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2437440. However, I had to drill out the X carriage for 12mm tube clearance. In future iterations, I will update the CAD and upload a revised version. Feel free to cut off the flange if it's not required or is in your way. If you need different versions or sizes without the flange, just let me know. I'll be happy to create them for you. Additional parts have been added that were used to get 12mm dia X axis rods/tube working effectively. These extra components are remixes of Scott's original Hypercube Evolution design found at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2437440. These additional parts include a XY Joiner, which uses standard Y dimensions but accommodates 12mm X rod with standard X axis separation. There are also XY Joiner endcaps in two variations: plain ended and screw thread insert versions to lock the X rods/tube. Furthermore, a 12mm dia Y end stop flag has been added for your convenience.