Screw threaded telescopic platform (40mm, 6 segments)

thingiverse

Screw threaded telescopic platform, 40mm deep, 6 segment version. This design features a concentric series of threaded rings, each captive within the next ring out. The rings can be screwed up or down between two end stops positioned such that all of the rings line up with each other to form a disk when screwed down, or extend above the ring directly outside of it to form a taller, cone-like structure when screwed up. 3D printing offers the easiest approach to creating this type of structure as all of the rings can be created at the same time in their final position. This avoids having to fit/attach one of the end-stops following creation as separate pieces with subsequent assembly. Note that the 3D models are set-up to print with the upper surface flat on the print bed, giving a better surface for adhesion but requiring attention if it becomes necessary to apply force to free up the rings; the rings screw out of the face that was printed downwards. The point of this design is to create an object that can be used as support in the way that a pile of books might be used, but with a fully variable height within its limits. This would have applications in DIY or modelling to temporarily support something in the correct position while glue sets. Note that I don't know what the maximum load that these objects could support is (and it is likely to vary with print quality and the specific plastic or other material used), however the versions that I have printed in PLA have all been able to support my entire body weight so they are not inherently fragile. Plastics used in 3D printing can fail suddenly by shattering, so I would recommend considering the consequences of sudden failure in any application. A smaller version of this object exists as an option for verifying the capabilities of a printer to create this type of object without wasting too much plastic on failed prints. Ideally each ring should be as close fitting as practical, but obviously if too close then the whole set of rings becomes one solid lump of waste plastic. This is largely down to the clearance between rings (horizontal gap between the rings) designed into the 3D models, and the clearance that should be used will depend on the printer being used. To deal with this, I have included 5 models for each version, each with a different clearance between the rings. The clearances included are 0.325mm, 0.375mm, 0.425mm, 0.475mm and 0.525mm. The clearance used in each model can be determined from the file names. It is generally better to print overhangs with low layer heights. I have been printing these with a 0.1mm layer height. Other details from the file names are, "S" followed by the number of segments, and "H" followed by the number of millimetres that represent the height of the base units. Optional end cap models for these 40mm versions are available to press-fit together and into the ring structures and give a flatter upper surface to the central ring. Related items include: Screw threaded telescopic platform (20mm, 4 and 5 segment versions) Screw threaded telescopic platform (30mm, 5 segment version) Screw threaded telescopic platform (30mm, 6 segment version) Screw threaded telescopic platform (40mm, 7 segment version) Update: A comment from th008 suggested that these would be easier to print if the clearance between the rings was larger where they contact the build plate. I made this change and it did indeed make them much easier to print reliably.