Jigsolve: Nozzle work
The point of the robot is to let the internet finish a jigsaw puzzle. All problems trickle down from there. Starting at the frame was great fun, but maybe not the best place to begin. The nozzle head has gone through three redesigns and I suspect it will take three to five more before I get it right. It will affect the X carriage and gantry, which may affect the Y carriages, which may affect the corner mounts.
Anyways! Here’s the hollow shaft NEMA17 stepper motor I ordered.
Here’s the 3D printed adapter that will hold the vacuum hose on the back of the stepper.
I’ve sprayed the outside with white primer paint in the hope that it will seal microscopic holes in the print and maintain a good air-tight seal. I believe I need a thin layer of rubber between the plastic and the metal body of the stepper for a good seal. I tried a thin bead of hot glue, but testing shows the suction isn’t enough to lift a bottle cap.
Also the tonal pitch of the pump rises significantly when I put my finger over the pump inlet. It changes much less when I do the same at the silicone nozzle on the stepper, or on the stepper directly. I conclude there is an air gap in the 3D printed adapter and that this gap is on my hit list.
