MadModder

Gallery, Projects and General => Gallery => Topic started by: Joules on June 13, 2016, 04:21:47 PM

Title: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: Joules on June 13, 2016, 04:21:47 PM

I have had a dial gauge on my Taig mill for years, and always had the intention of machining a block to take a rod that can be used to set the dial gauge mounted at the top of the Z.   Well, I kind of got round to it.  Whilst doing other work I designed what I needed for 3D printing.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/Dial20Gauge20setting20tool._zps0kbttb3a.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/Dial20Gauge20setting20tool._zps0kbttb3a.jpg.html)

The first part printed was the body to hold the rod and take a small alloy draw bar for locking the rod in position.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0025_zpsn16wu3wy.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0025_zpsn16wu3wy.jpg.html)

This took about an hour to print, as it was printed at 0.1mm layers. Once the print was done it needed a little cleaning up and the bores reamed to size, for that reason it has the print software set to 3 side walls and 4 solid layer top and bottom.  Next job was making the little ball handle,  this is also a practice run for the printed Quorn handles in the future.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0023_zpskkxklvtd.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0023_zpskkxklvtd.jpg.html)

I'm using the splined perspex inserts, as they work so well for this kind of stuff and they are easy to make.  In my case a tight press fit, but they could also be glued in if a little loose.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0024_zpsnmb2rfno.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0024_zpsnmb2rfno.jpg.html)

If my machining had been as good as the printing you wouldn't see any gaps round the splines.  However, I set the indexer by eye and goofed the spline depth to machine in the perspex on the first two.  Still, no one will see them, will they lads  :thumbup:

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0026_zpsudsowxfl.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0026_zpsudsowxfl.jpg.html)

Little bit of lathe work to make the drawbar, it hadn't been cross drilled at this stage, as rain was interfering with my 5 second commute from drawing office to workshop.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0027_zpsb6seigas.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0027_zpsb6seigas.jpg.html)

At last, final assembly and test.  About 1/8th of a turn on the lever releases or locks the bar in place.  I had hoped to make the tee nut for mounting but rain really has stopped play, it's bouncing down here, so calling it a night.

Title: Re: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: RobWilson on June 13, 2016, 04:29:04 PM

Nicely done Joules   :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: 

I like the composite lever  :med:



Rob

Title: Re: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: Pete49 on June 13, 2016, 11:29:29 PM

Very clever. Another use for 3D printers in the workshop. PLA I presume?
Pete

Title: Re: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: Joules on June 15, 2016, 04:12:39 PM

 :D  Of course Pete....

Tee nut made for the Taig and fitted the extender, I will have to see if one fastener is enough over time as it didn't need more than a gentle nip to fix in place.  Following pictures show short and long use, really easy to operate and twist the rod for precision adjustment.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0029_zpsprwwngzo.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0029_zpsprwwngzo.jpg.html)

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/joulesbee/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0030_zpsdfgljoed.jpg) (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/joulesbee/media/3D%20Prints/Taig%20Mill%203D%20Printed%20Parts/IMG_0030_zpsdfgljoed.jpg.html)

Cheers Rob, glad you like the composite ball lever.  I was tempted to use Delrin for the insert, but I like being able to see the cutter in the material  :thumbup:

Title: Re: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: RotarySMP on June 16, 2016, 05:14:43 AM

Nice job, and I really like the rendering which that software does.
Mark

Title: Re: Dial Gauge Extender, 3D Printed
Post by: Joules on June 17, 2016, 02:15:48 AM

Thanks Mark, that style of rendering is winning me quite a bit of illustration work.