Overengineered Extruder Visualizer

thingiverse

I wanted to push the limits of what's possible with a single driven axis by creating a multi-axis ring gimbal that can rotate freely on multiple axes. Inspired by several innovative designs, I drew inspiration from Gyro: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:802145 and also: https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/32547-mini-extruder-gyroscope-print-in-place-with-press-/files as well as Relative motion: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4121683 Bevel gears: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3575 This project is still in its early stages, and the files need some tweaking to restrict or allow movement accordingly. I wanted to share it here so others can experiment with it. In my initial version, the gyro stem isn't integrated into the gyro, so it's not perfectly aligned with the pin. The pin for the inner ring allows too much linear movement, causing the gears to bind and the extruder motor to rotate without rotating the gyro. The magnetic connection doesn't allow a lot of shear force. I also want to make the "fixed" bevel gear lower-profile (and probably black) to contrast with the rotating gyro. If you're interested in playing along: Support: Press fits into the screw cutouts on the extruder motor, but it's not perfect. Consider using support blockers in the circles to avoid ripping them off with supports after printing. Bevel gears: discard the small gear that prints with the larger one; the hole is off-center. Use the separate small gear instead. No other parts need supports. Press the small gear onto one side of the gyro pin for the inner ring, attach the stem at a 90-degree angle to that. I used two 8mmx1mm magnets on the end that I had on hand. Glue the large bevel gear to the support. Cheers!