Off the shelf rack and pinion parts

[Brodyk68]

I am looking for off the shelf parts for a rack and pinion for something like a microscope, similar to the attachment. Does anyone know who might sell a pinion assembly (knobs and all) to go with a rack? I am trying to mount a stereo camera and need the adjustment capability. Thank you

 

[hendersdc]

Edmund Optics and Thorlabs are good options though not very cheap. Both look like they have a stand very similar to what is in your picture or you can assemble something custom from their components.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.edmundoptics.com/f/edmund-e-zoom/13312/#[/url]

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=OCT-STAND[/url]

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.edmundoptics.com/f/long-travel-rack-and-pinion-stages/39541/[/url]

 

[Brodyk68]

Thanks, I have seen the microscope folks but that is way too expensive. The assembly I attached a picture of was about $25. I am looking for components to help me do that same thing.

 

[mfgenggear]

Brody

There is companies like granger and others that sell similar mechanism try to google it and see what pops up.
there is small stands with threaded rods that can do the same. what your looking for can be built with aluminum bar by a shop.

 

[drawoh]

Brodyk68,

Look W.M. Berg, Nordex, Stock Drive, and PIC. A lot of their stuff is interchangeable.

--
JHG

 

[Jboggs]

and McMaster

 

[3DDave]

Inexpensive tripods often have a rack and pinion like that. If it's what you want for $25, why not buy it? If not, what features do you need that the example doesn't have?

 

[Brodyk68]

Thanks but I am designing it for a stereo camera for 3d measurements. This is for my company. I was just looking for individual components.

 

[Compositepro]

https://www.temu.com/1pc-lightweigh...&refer_page_id=10009_1709662181199_0imjcrxjue

 

[3DDave]

"what features do you need that the example doesn't have?"

How long, what diameter, what weight is it to carry? What budget is the limit? Why rack and pinion instead of screw thread and crank? What section size for the rack?

Are you able to take items apart to re-purpose them or do they have to be exact fit and ready to assemble with or without tools?

Is this for one unit or 100,000 units? Prototype or deliverable?

3D measurements - how precise does the action need to be? How sensitive to movement?

I'm looking in that picture and I see a custom extrusion for the support and another custom extrusion to hold the crank/knob assembly. Do you want just the tiny sliver of rack?

I have a couple of David White Stereo Realist cameras as well as some nicely made slide-bars for regular cameras. I also have a reasonably good projector and lenticular silver screen.

 

[Brodyk68]

I sent an email off to my supplier in Schenzen to see if he can hook me up with some of the individual components like the off the shelf usb led lighting along with the rack and pinion knob assemblies. We are hoping to sell thousands. We have proprietary software that works with the stereo camera. Thanks for everyone's comments.

 

[IRstuff]

Amazon; if not there, then Ali Express, since they pretty much sell anything industrial

Aluminum Alloy Microscope Stand Holder for USB Digital Microscope, Cainda Stable Metal Stand Bracket with Portable Carrying Case, Support Adjusted Up and Down Easy to Focus

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[IRstuff]

Ali Express has even plastic rack and pinion


TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[kjoiner]

Try:
Stock Drive Products
W.M. Berg
Igus
Misumi

Kyle

 

[MintJulep]

Right click the image that 3DDave kindly posted for you and select "search image with Google". You'll find that there are many microscope stages that seem to use that same aluminum profile with the rack machined. So, it's likely a stock extrusion somewhere. You just need to find the somewhere.

The Bosch-Rexroth aluminum profile system has a rack and pinion accessory, but it might be too coarse and have too much backlash for you.

There are things like this available, although focused at the hobby "maker" market.

https://www.makerstore.com.au/blog/gear-rack-designed-for-v-slot/

Almost any of the big names in linear motion will have guide rails with rack and pinion as an option. But you're likely to then say that you also need cheap, and such things are not cheap.

Bishop Wisecarver is often the least expensive of the big names. For example:

https://www.bwc.com/gv3-b997886dee12e1556431d9a881abf257.html

 

[IRstuff]

The Amazon link I proffered lists the entire microscope stand and elevation mechanism for $17.99. A seemingly identical item on Aliexpress sells for $14.10

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm