How to Make Linear Bearings
In order to produce linear motion, a linear bearing is needed that enables motion in one dimension. You can make a rolling bearing type of linear bearing fairly easily --- it's non-motorized and emanates low-friction movement by hand. The contraptor or metal casing used in this linear bearing is made from an aluminum metal frame and steel R3 bearings. Contraptor building requires a template (see Resources). Working with metal manipulating machinery such as saws and a drill is required.
Things You'll Need
- Pen
- Hand punch
- Hack saw
- Drill
- Combination wrench of 3/8 and 7/16
- Aluminum rectangle tube 1/8 thickness
- Aluminum square tube 1/8 thickness
- R3 bearings
- 5/8 screws, 10
- 10 nuts
- Philips head screw driver
- Computer
- Label paper
Instructions
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1
Print out the contraptor template from your computer onto label paper, make sure print is on the paper side not the plastic lining. Draw a line down the templates center using a straight edge, as this will create a visible line for the two halves of the template.
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2
Lightly poke the directed hole marks on the template using your pen. Lay the template onto the aluminum lining the drawn line onto the corner of the aluminum rectangle tube. Punch the holes threw the template onto the aluminum marking the metal for the drill. Drill the previously marked holes in at an angle.
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3
Screw the 5/8 screw into the upper left hole of the contraptor --- the screw cap should face the outside wall. Hold the screw in place and slip a nut onto the screw rotating it on the inside wall of the contraptor.
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4
Hold the nut with your hand and secure the screw to the tightest grip by using your screw driver to tighten it. Located on the right side of the contraptor is another hole, equidistant to the hole on the left side. Screw another 5/8th screw into this hole. Hold the screw and slip a nut onto the screw. Screw the 5/8 screw into place tightly by holding the nut by hand and applying the screw driver tightly.
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5
Follow these same instructions for the rear left hole and the rear right hole in the contraptor. Measure the top of the screws thread down to the base of the contraptor to see if it measures 1 cm. If it doesn't, then the screw must be tightened until it does.
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6
Place an R3 bearing on screw of left side of the contraptor wall. The bearing should be placed on the screws thread inside the contraptor base. Rotate a nut onto the outer edge of the screw, this should sandwich the R3 bearing between the nut on the inner wall and the edge of the screw threads. Tighten the nut into place by holding it into place with your hand and using the screw driver at the screws cap.
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7
Place an R3 bearing on the inner wall of the right side of the contraptor. Slip a nut onto the outside of the R3 bearing directly on the screws thread. Hold the nut into place by hand and tighten the screw vigorously with screw driver. Follow the same directions for the rear left and rights inner wall putting the R3 bearing first and then the nut.
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