I came up with this idea about a year ago seeing an industrial wood planing machine use a similar approach, and I thought it could make for a neat and great printer design, but before ordering the expensive parts, I thought I'd post here first to see if there would be any issues with physics/mechanics.
Basically, the machine is a XY platform moving on the Z axis, with a new 'twist'; there are two leadscrews fixed diagonally from each other to the base, with the leadnuts rotating around the leadscrew. The leadscrews are M22x5mm pitch, single start. The two red parts are a high temp plastic flanged bushing that the brass leadnuts rotate within.
In the opposite two corners, there are 20mm linear shafts with corresponding linear bearings.
Both the leadscrews and the linear shafts will have the ends turned down and will be press fitted into the printer's bottom plate.
All of the parts will come from Misumi. I didn't model the actual printhead mechanics, as I didn't want to dive too far into that yet.
Bottom plate and XY plate will be 1/2 in. thick Mic-6 aluminum. Approximate printer physical dimensions: 500mm^3. The heated bed will be a seperate Mic-6 plate with silicone heater adhered to the bottom and will be isolated from the printer's bottom plate with ceramic standoffs.
The printer will be easy to make an enclosure for, and the linear shafts are the hollow variant, so cables can be routed cleanly through them.
One issue I see is the two leadnuts becoming unsynchronized perhaps, but this may not happen often. This could be solved with a single motor and a closed loop belt, if you can get a belt that long.
I really like this design! I am looking for positive feedback. Thank you!
Render:
![9TDOaRo.jpg]( "9TDOaRo.jpg")
Basically, the machine is a XY platform moving on the Z axis, with a new 'twist'; there are two leadscrews fixed diagonally from each other to the base, with the leadnuts rotating around the leadscrew. The leadscrews are M22x5mm pitch, single start. The two red parts are a high temp plastic flanged bushing that the brass leadnuts rotate within.
In the opposite two corners, there are 20mm linear shafts with corresponding linear bearings.
Both the leadscrews and the linear shafts will have the ends turned down and will be press fitted into the printer's bottom plate.
All of the parts will come from Misumi. I didn't model the actual printhead mechanics, as I didn't want to dive too far into that yet.
Bottom plate and XY plate will be 1/2 in. thick Mic-6 aluminum. Approximate printer physical dimensions: 500mm^3. The heated bed will be a seperate Mic-6 plate with silicone heater adhered to the bottom and will be isolated from the printer's bottom plate with ceramic standoffs.
The printer will be easy to make an enclosure for, and the linear shafts are the hollow variant, so cables can be routed cleanly through them.
One issue I see is the two leadnuts becoming unsynchronized perhaps, but this may not happen often. This could be solved with a single motor and a closed loop belt, if you can get a belt that long.
I really like this design! I am looking for positive feedback. Thank you!
Render:
