PLAb 3030 Extrusion Foot

PLAb System

A component of the growing PLAb Collection of 3D printable optomechanics. This component mounts 3030 (30 mm x 30 mm) aluminum extrusion to optical tables, breadboards, or any other grid-based mounting system. This lets you mount your 3030 creations to your optical tables with abandon, including smoothly joining sections of 3030 into a hard mounted, continuous rail. Designed specifically with the PLAb 3030 Linear Carrier in mind.

This lets you leverage standard 3030 extrusion in place of expensive dovetail linear rail systems on an optical table. Further compatible with the PLAb Breadboard to Post Adapter for making your rails height adjustable.

What will you design? Please upload your builds as Makes here on Printables. If you have an issue, need a customized version for your application, or just have a suggestion please drop a comment or reach out to me via my profile page.

License and Support

If you find the system useful, please share it with your colleagues. If it makes your lab easier or cheaper to setup, perhaps Buy Me a Coffee so I can continue to develop the system and keep it free and openly available under the Open Community License (OCL) with the General Attribution (GAtt) Plugin. 

Configurations

A subset of carrier options are included as downloads directly here on Printables. These 25 mm, 25.4 mm (1 inch), and 40mm hole spacing model with 1, 2, and 3 rows of counterbored mounting holes. If you need a different size, you can generate just what you need in the OnShape Configurator. If you do download from the OnShape documents, please download one of the files or drop a like here on Printables. That way this project can be found by others :).

Parameters

• Hole Spacing (mm): Sets the distance between mounting holes in the X and Y directions

  • Minimum of 25 mm for M6 nut type, 25.4 mm for 1/4-20 nut type.

  • Set as D<XX> in part numbers

• Number of Sections: Number of rows of mounting holes to produce a 3xN array of mounting holes

  • N<XX> in part numbers

Part Naming Examples

• 3030Foot-D25-N1 has one row of holes spaced 25 mm apart.

• 3030Foot-D25.4-N3 has three rows in a grid spaced 1 inch apart in both directions.

• 3030Foot-D40-2 has tow rows of mounting holes spaced 40 mm apart in both directions.

Recommended Print Settings

The system is designed to be as simple to print as possible. No supports, no special materials, no slicer tricks. I started developing the system on a Prusa Mk3s and am now using a Snapmaker U1 and Prusa XL. General printing guidelines are as follows:

• The holes generally print cleanest at a 0.2 mm layer height on a 0.4mm nozzle however thicker layers and larger nozzles should not cause any issues.

• These parts are optimized first for PLA

• Tougher filaments like PETG or PCTG can be used is greater toughness of thermal stability is required for your application.

  • Typically these filaments sacrifice some fidelity so some tuning of tube tolerance will be needed.

• Use three perimeters with at least four top and bottom layers for best results.

• Infill is not critical here. I usually use 10% Adaptive Cubic.

• Print orientation should have the tear drops of the mounting holes pointing upwards. The side with the tube retaining boss should be placed down on the build platform.

  • An example of good part orientation is shown in the slicer image below.

• As these are thin parts, a brim is helpful in ensuring good bed adhesion

Assembly and Use Instructions

Required Components

• 3030 Four Slot T-Slot Framing Aluminum Extrusion

  • Tested on both solid and hollow variants

• 12mm Long M6 or 1/4-20 Socket Cap Screws

• Self-Aligning M6 30 Series T-Slot Fasteners

Assembly

1. Insert the M6 or 1/4-20 socket cap screw into the counterbored hole on the flat bottom of the foot.

2. Thread a self-aligning onto this screw and slide it into the bottom side of a piece of 3030 extrusion

3. Tighten to lock the foot in place on the extrusion.

4. Use two or three section models for connecting multiple sections of rail. Insert and tighten one rail and then repeat for the next section carefully holding the two ends together as you tighten the foot locking screw.

5. Insert your M6 or 1/4-20 screws into the counterbored holes on the grooved side and lock down to your optical table.