Tetrix Bearing Housings

thingiverse

One of the most significant drawbacks to the Tetrix kit of parts is its reliance on standard 3.75mm shafts, which prove to be unreliable for any application requiring the transfer of force through the shaft and are prone to damage during use. For FTC purposes, they cannot be counted on for a variety of applications, making it necessary to consider alternative options. Six-millimeter and larger shafts are preferred due to their increased durability but pose a significant challenge with regards to alignment issues. Unfortunately, bearings or bushings with an 8mm outer diameter and a 6mm inner diameter that can be used with the set do not appear to be available. This has led to the creation of Bearing Housings, which are designed to accommodate the use of six-millimeter bearings from suppliers such as Andymark or Servocity. One-quarter inch bearings from Servocity should also function effectively in this capacity. With the introduction of these bearing housings, users can confidently mount bearings on their Tetrix frame and reduce the likelihood of damage to their shafts. The two designs available - the original two-part model and the "LoPro" version - cater to different needs, with the former taking up less space but requiring more hardware and volume, while the latter takes up more channel real estate but is sleeker and easier to mount. Both designs utilize six-millimeter bearings and can be used in conjunction with Tetrix parts.