RepRap: Blog

I've been finding a few moments to cut & fit M8 bracing to the Wedge wooden prototype (The Wedgewoods were a good friend of Darwin BTW). Four lengths of 325mm (could probably go to 330mm) seem to make it stiff enough. I discovered that 5 holes in bits of MDF turns them into handy clamps that work at a variety of planar junctions. The top of the horizontal threaded bar is 305mm above the upper surface of the base, in case you want some scale.

I've roughly laid out where the vertical Z axis drive rods will go (like the reprap'd bearing holders?), and a possible place for mounting the Z motor - maybe a little closer to the horizontal crossbars though. For the moment I'll drive the 2 vertical shafts with printable Z gears as used in the Darwin Child, but might switch to a driveshaft or at least give one as an option to avoid buying chain. Using a driveshaft would require 2 more bearings, reprap'd gears and more threaded rod but I can see some people might want to do it.

Now which to do? I want to work on the paste extruder, the Wedge Y axis and the Wedge Z axis (which will have to evolve in parallel with the X axis and carriage). Place your votes while I go to First Responder training...

Vik :v)

Labels: bracing, wedge