Pendulight,…we have a problem

Blog, Energy, ITP , 0 Comments

A quality control check of the parts reveled issues with the two aluminum parts. More details on that later in this post.
A quality control check of the parts reveled issues with the two aluminum parts. More details on that later in this post.
3D printed plumb base, printed solid for durability and weight.
3D printed plumb base, printed solid for durability and weight.
3D printed plumb top, printed solid for durability and weight.
3D printed plumb top, printed solid for durability and weight.
3D printed combination pcb mount and battery holder.
3D printed combination pcb mount and battery holder.
Extension arm, CNC milled 6061-al, at first glance part looked to bein spec.
Extension arm, CNC milled 6061-al, at first glance part looked to bein spec.
Pillow Arm arm, CNC milled 6061-al, at first glance part looked to bein spec.
Pillow Arm arm, CNC milled 6061-al, at first glance part looked to bein spec.
During the tapping process it seemed the the hole was not perpendicular to the arm face.
During the tapping process it seemed the the hole was not perpendicular to the arm face.
After tapping and assembly the mis-machining was confirmed.
After tapping and assembly the mis-machining was confirmed.
Red lines show misalignment.
Red lines show misalignment.
Red lines show misalignment.
Red lines show misalignment.
Red lines show misalignment.
Red lines show misalignment.

The misalignment between the arms causes the tension of the bearings to be very off creating binding for half of the rotation and looseness on the other half of the rotation.

I will be contacting the machining service for replacement. In the event that the parts can’t be replaced this design allows for the use of the only the extension arm however, the desired compound rotation will be lost.