I was thinking about the joint of my final project lamp for a long time. With previous version design, the parts of head and neck, I still cannot figure out how to design a simple but robust 2 DoF at them. I am also really interesting in ball joint mechanism so this week I want to experiment on this structure.
Using Antimony in 3D model, I wanted to see the entire object first so that I can design 2D slices and analyze how to rotate smoothly.
After modeling in Antimony, I sliced the base of joint by Autodesk 123D Make. I tried as many simulations as I can to know which structures could be better to let ball joint work.
Simulating in 123D Make could let me know more details. Even though I cannot freely slice in parametric way with 123D Make, it makes me know that I have to consider about thickness and press-fit in 3D model. In this case, the sphere hole was not really perfect in 123D algorithm because it used the middle of thickness to fit sphere hole which could make result really unsmooth.
Finally, according to assembling process, I can only choose this base of structure or I cannot put the ball into the joint base.
After doing some research, I decided to redesign this model from Instructables by scientiffic.
Using Inkscape with more clone feature, I tried to use parametric with boolean operator in Inkscape.
So I was trying to clone.
You can draw almost anything in "align tool" and "boolean operator" (e.g. union, difference) in Inkscape.
Designing with chamfer
Actually I have not realized that only "clone" feature is convenient for parametric design. While I was drawing, I tried to find out that where Inkscape could link parameter to each othe.
Of course, I have to open the machine first put cardboard in.
Set all the lines to 0.025mm in Inkscape. Click "print" in Adobe Illustrator and set the parameters (Power:100, Speed:14%, PPI:500). Print in Universal interface UCP. We can control the pointer and make sure all the cutting routes in cardboard.
All good, all safe.
Take out the material and clean up the machine.
The thickness of latch might be too weak for cardboard. It is not strong as I thought.
Ball with Fablab Taipei Logo
In order to fit in latch, I give a little pressure to cardboard but I found it could be deformed easily and never bounce back. We need a better cardboard or try new materials.
It's a little bit hard to rotate the ball in joint base. The gap between ball and joint base could be too tiny. Even asymmetric press-fit structure would make it rotate unsmoothly.
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