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Basic step file / CAD question

kharrisma

Member
Hi Forum Folke,

Real newbie question here: are CAD drawings available for the various parts that make up the Stealthburner? I see STEP and stp files; step which show a 3D representation of the complete, assembled 'burner , and stl's that show the individual parts, but nothing like dimensioned sketches of the parts. Reason I ask is I bought printed parts for the clockwork 2 extruder (galileo 2 extruder version... bought because I don't have the capability to print in ABS or ASA yet), but I suspect they're off dimensionally; I can say with certainty that the holes for the standard m3 threaded inserts are too big; the inserts go in fully with very gentle finger pressure. That's obviously no good, and it leads me to question the accuracy of the rest of the part... all of the parts. Can't say at this point whether it's an issue with his printer or not; he'll likely claim he printed the step (or stl) file as provided, so if the hole's too big, it's in the file, not his printer. I don't really have any hard data to dispute his claim, or to show him that he does indeed have a printer issue. A dimensioned drawing would provide this; if the insert holes on a dimensioned sketch are supposed to be 4mm in diameter, the sketch was used to generate the step and stl files, and the printed part has holes that are 5mm in diameter, then it's a printer iissue for certain.

Failing this, is anyone aware of a source for (or existence of) slightly oversized OD M3 inserts that can compensate for slightly oversized holes? I suppose I could just epoxy the inserts in place, but that's a lot more headache (and mess) than should be needed. Or, for that matter, any workable solution for oversized insert holes? The holes are too large for m3 inserts, but way too small for m4 inserts. I'm *assuming* the required inserts are M3, but that's not actually specified in the assembly manual, and I don't see anything like a BOM in github.

Sorry if these are kindergarten-level questions... I'm far better with the hardware end of things than I am with this kind of stuff! ;-)
 
So you bought printed parts for a Galileo 2 extruder, is that correct? There are no CAD files on the repository yet for that one, just the STLs. I can say from my personal experience the files are just fine--I printed mine up on my Trident running the standard clockwork extruder--which has snice been replaced by said Galileo 2. One other thing to check is if the inserts are to spec. If there's a fit issue and the inserts are correct, then it's in the printed parts not the files, at least IMHO.
 
Thanks for the quick input... MAY have found the issue. I thought my inserts were a true m3 x 5, but they're actually m3 x 4.5... not a huge amount of difference, but it IS a difference. I've just ordered some true m3 x 5 inserts and I'll try those when they arrive. And no, the stl and step files (both of which I already have) wouldn't show what I was looking for - - as far as viewing the file goes, it's a 3D model, not a 3D cad drawing with dimensions. The printer ran off another couple of batches of parts for the Gal2 extruder, and HIS inserts fit fine... so it's looking more and more like it's my inserts. I'll confirm this if it indeed proves to be the case.
 
Confirming that the issue was the inserts I had were definitely too small to adequately engage the insert bore, as the m3 x 5 inserts I ordered sit on top of the bore and can not be pushed in with anything less than a press or soldering iron. They seat nicely and don't spin or pull out when fastening parts together with a screw. Lesson learned, and all the input's appreciated!
 
As an afterthought:
1) Depending on the cad system you use you should be able to import the step files and then take dimensions from it. I use this feature often on files I did not generate myself. I use Onshape but fairly certain that Freecad does the same
2) if the manufacturer does not state the standard to which something is produced, you have to watch and verify all the dimensions. Obviously there are standards such as iso and en, but I have not yet seen anybody stating those for their printable parts, and rarely for the brass threaded inserts. Over the years I have collected many different sizes of the same thread size and it still catches me out sometimes. Just go on the premise that you always need to check and verify before you buy inserts.
 
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