Parametrical Bearing for FreeCAD

thingiverse

Update, Version 3: Added a Ball holding Collar so you can use fewer Bearing Balls. But remember: no error checking is done! You must find your own fitting Parameters to avoid mistakes. Update, Version 2: The Bearing has been updated to allow previewing of the Bearing Balls in 3D. This parametrical Bearing (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1799757) for FreeCAD uses Spreadsheets so you can easily customize it to your needs. You can use 6mm Airsoft Pellets for plastic only Bearings or any size of steel bearing balls (I use 4,5mm steel bearing balls). Usage: Load the File in FreeCAD (I use 0.16) and double-click the "Params" Spreadsheet Symbol. Then you can arrange the Preview and the Spreadsheet Windows in the "Windows" Menu like shown in the Screenshots. Now you can adjust the Values in the Spreadsheet and watch the Bearing change in the preview Window. Some calculated Values are provided to help you optimize the Bearing: Orbit in the middle: Copy this Value to Field B8, and the BBs will be placed exactly between inner and outer Radius. Best Orbit: Tries to calculate the best Orbit according to the number of used Bearing Balls (Field: B9). Copy this Value to Field B8. Ring Spacing: The amount of space between the inner and outer Ring. Default is half of the Ball Diameter. Be careful when changing the Values because there is no Error checking! You must also find out the right Tolerance setting ("Printer tolerance") for your Printer by trying different settings... Also, only Export the Object "Bearing, complete"! The "BB shapes Pattern" and "Ball Array" Objects are only for previewing optimizing the Bearing Values!