Block stage build

Build Reports
1

Hi, I just built the block stage in about 40 minutes. It was the first time so I was extra careful. I could probably get this down to 10 minutes if I did it again.

Some notes:

  • The 3x m3 6mm screws for joining top and bottom are not very robust in my PLA print. Maybe some compliant mechanism to click top/bottom together would be more robust? Or use of an m3 nut?
  • It’s a bit fiddly to get the the two rubber ring lobes into the same grove at the bottom, maybe two groves, one for each side of the ring?
  • Not sure tapping the slightly triangular holes helps much - maybe explain why that should be done ahead of time? I also struggled to get them in straight. Maybe a small chamfer might help?
  • If someone else does prints: It’s probably useful to use a different color for the moving stage.

Overall a great design, thank you!

Image:

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image1829×1484 283 KB

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2

Thank you @teh. It is really helpful to have build reports.

The block stage is several design steps behind the OpenFlexure Microscope v7, and that is seen particularly in the screws tapped into plastic. Using nuts is definately better, if we can find space to fit them in.

Are you referring to pre-tapping the holes in the moving stage? That is mainly to try to avoid putting too much force on the mechanism. It also makes it a bit less diffucult to put screws in straight, but still not easy.

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