Design concept: linear rail + stepper

[NemoAndrea]

In the search for a low cost but still relatively precise (lets say <3um) and stable linear actuator I made a concept based on a linear rail (MGN9H) and a small non-captive linear stepper motor.

The concept is actually based on a concept explored in the UC2 project, where a rudimentary even lower cost version was considered.

It is designed to fit precisely into a 30mm cage system (6mm rods), as can be see with the assembly in context:

The cage rods in combination with the mounting bracket provide the (hard) endstops for the actuator.

A very rudementary video of the item in action:

FreeCAD.0.20.1.2023-07-01.17-37-20.mp4

Files

You can find version 1 in commit d2a0b5f

⚖ It will be compared to a flexure based approach and the best one will then probably end up making it into the project.