Note: Any tips will go straight to our charity "TReND in Africa" (www.trendinafrica.org) which is dedicated to fostering university level science education on the African continent!

My 1st attempt of a 3D design - inspired by the Backyard Brains "Searcher" manipulator (http://backyardbrains.rs/micromanipulator.aspx).

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The idea is that one could combine 2 to generate an XY table or something. One could also place a stepper or something on the end to motorise it which presumably would make it more precise and useful. Made in OpenSCAD. I put all key parameters as variables in the top so one can quickly change things, e.g. length/widths/thickness, size of holes. For now it's designed for Metric M4 screws/boats.

Need

• 5 M4 boats
• a ~10 cm M4 axis.
• superglue
• oil / grease

Take an M4 axis and cut at desired length (~9-10 cm). Superglue an m4 boat into the hexagonal slot in the stage. Stick the axis through the base holes and stage. Ream holes in the side of the base if required, there should me minimal resistance. Fix the axis in place with 2 M4 boats, one on either end (superglue the axis a bit and screw the boat over). Superglue 2 more M4s on the overhanging end of the axis, and pop the knob on top. Then oil everything, it should run very smooth indeed. If confused, have a look at the Backyard brains "Searcher" linked above they have detailed instructions on this kind of design.