Replies

• Eric Baker April 24, 2014 at 2:47pm

  Max-

  Did you find a solution to this, or are you still looking?

   

   
• 

  Max Rafferty November 15, 2013 at 10:47am

  Joseph - Do you have a link to that particular model? I have investigated several syringe pumps and most seem to have a fixed gear.

  Also, tangentially, you may be right that trying to clamp onto the rod to engage the gears may not be the most direct approach. Don's suggestion of a solenoid could be used to push a gear back and fourth to drive different axes, but I would be concerned about guaranteeing that the gears meshed reliably, as they would need to engage immediately,  without the motor spinning, to maintain print fidelity.
• 

  Joseph Mariano November 13, 2013 at 7:17am

  Max - A lot of the syringe pumps use threaded rod for mechanical actuation. One particular model does have a means for clamping and releasing the worm gear. It is performed manually, not electrically, but it may be a useful principal. However I am having a little difficulty visualizing your application.
• 

  Max Rafferty November 4, 2013 at 1:04pm

  Hi Don. Sure! I'm working on a 3D printer design that calls for what amounts to an very simple transmission - a threaded rod sitting directly on the head of a stepper motor that can switch between the X and Z axes, which do not need to move simultaneously. To drive either axis, the clamping mechanism would close on the spinning rod to either move the z axis up and down meshing directly with the rod, or clamp onto it to drive a gear to move the X back and fourth.

  If there are other ideas for how to accomplish this I am open, but part of the intent of the design is to create a beltless/chainless system to simplify print calibration.

  Thanks!

  -Max
• Don Porter November 4, 2013 at 10:12am

  A solenoid with a threaded shaft?

  Any other details?

  DP