Precise swivelling of a microscope camera with 3D-printed clamps

• What was needed: Customised sliding elements as clamps for the moving linear actuators
• Manufacturing process: Filament extrusion (FDM)
• Requirements: Dust-resistant, lubrication-free, lightweight, wear-resistant, chemical-resistant
• Material: iglidur® i151 tribofilament®
• Industry: Camera technology
• Success through cooperation: Ensuring the promised printing accuracy, cost savings thanks to the long service life of the wear-resistant sliding components

To ensure that conductive structures, such as silver lines on printed circuit boards, can be cleanly guided out of the spray nozzle in the micrometre range, the nozzle must move without deviation. In order to track this movement in real time, the remote-controlled microscope camera should be able to be swivelled just as accurately.

In addition, the components of the camera system had to be resistant to the solvent vapours released during printing and enable lubrication-free movement. The use of the lightest possible components to reduce the inertia of the system also had to be considered.

A solution based on a spherical plain bearing was used to position the camera. The camera lens swivels in a targeted manner within two planes. The aligning linear actuators were fastened with clamps from 3D printing, thus ensuring a more stable movement of the camera.

In addition, the iglidur ® i151 filament has a higher chemical resistance compared to conventional 3D printing filaments. As a result, the clamps printed from it can withstand the vapours released. abrasion-resistant and lubrication-free, the lightweight plastic also reduces unfavourable maintenance work.

chemical resistance and freedom from lubrication had to be taken into account for all components of the camera system. Therefore, in addition to the 3D-printed clamps, further bearing technology from igus® was used. As mentioned above, the swivelling of the microscope camera is mainly based on a igubal® Clips spherical plain bearing, which is mounted on a fixed plate. The swivel plate is connected to the joint via a iglidur® G sliding bush. To eliminate the clearance in the spherical plain bearing, a compression spring was added to spread the two plates apart. In addition, the two plates are secured with an iglidur® G collar bushing in between.

As in the example above, additive manufacturing stands for creativity. When it comes to new product ideas or optimisations, a lot of experimentation takes place first, and a fast manufacturing method is a great advantage. At igus®, prototypes or small series can be 3D printed and delivered in 3 business days. The prices and specifications of different materials and printing processes can be compared in the online 3D printing service. All you have to do is upload a CAD file of the desired part to the online tool via drag & drop.

If the first printed components are successful in the corresponding application, series can also be realised using 3D printing. The cost-effectiveness primarily depends on the geometric complexity and size of the component. For smaller components (e.g. 20*20*20 mm), 3D printing in laser sintering (SLS) is also worthwhile in high quantities of up to 70,000. Larger parts, on the other hand, are produced more cheaply in such quantities using other manufacturing processes. Unless the geometry of the components is so complex that they can only be produced using 3D printing. The most frequently used 3D printing material at igus® is iglidur ® i3, as it has the best price-performance ratio. Wear-resistant and self-lubricating components such as sliders or gears are customised using this method.