Slide Mechanism for Arduino

thingiverse

If you're lucky enough to have an Arduino kit, it probably came bundled with a trusty "28BYJ-48" stepper motor that operates at five volts. This dependable little motor is widely available for peanuts on online marketplaces like eBay. \nThe challenge was creating something more exciting than simply watching the axle spin lazily with a paper clip attached. A static arm wouldn't cut it, so I expanded the design into a fully-fledged reciprocating slide mechanism. \nI've added an optional base and extensions to address issues of imbalance or uneven weight distribution on the slider at the end of its stroke. Both design iterations are available for selection. I've also added a sturdy top cap for the inner axle of the slider.\n\n \n \n Instructions\nPreview images, as always, appear reversed - print the flattest side facing down and you'll be good to go. Most parts can be printed without support materials, but the slider does require some due to its overhanging design. Make sure to clean out any debris from the grooves for smooth operation and a drop of oil won't hurt. \nDon't forget to provide adequate supports for the "leg" part as it has a slight overhang that requires careful placement into its complementary component holding the motor. Use more layers if needed when drilling screw holes - universal 2.5 x 12 mm screws with countersink heads worked perfectly, but imperial units are welcome: 0.0984 x 0.472 inches for our American friends. The screw holes measure 6mm (or approximately 0.236in) in width, and the washers used are standard M5. To secure the top cap on the inner axle, apply a small amount of glue or use acetone if you're working with ABS. \nIf you don't want to deal with the potentially tricky axle parts, which may require some gentle sanding to fit snugly, you can simply substitute them with M5 screws instead. It's crucial to focus on layer density over infill when printing these components, as they are small and require maximum solidity. This helps ensure smooth operation. \nOne final tip: When using a step motor like this one, don't forget to hook up external power to your Arduino - the device will automatically prefer it over USB in case of available alternatives. However, if you find that your USB2 connector is running a bit low on juice, you might encounter shorter delay times in your programming, potentially resulting in faster speeds. Once you've mastered the simple 4-step coil program, you'll likely move on to more complex pulsing schemes that consume greater power - think higher torque and finer steps.