British YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith provides a new mechanical concept that can be realized directly with a 3D printer. He regularly publishes functional model components on the Thingiverse platform – currently a modifiable scotch yoke system (also known as a crank loop). The mechanism converts rotary motion into linear motion and vice versa. The principle is used in machine tools, drives and actuators, among other things.
The model presented consists of several parts that fit together perfectly. The stroke length of the linear movement can be infinitely adjusted using a rack and pinion system. For this purpose, a selectable module is inserted into the main housing, which transmits the movement via a kind of hammer head. The user can engage or disengage the movement of the slider using a special fork. Depending on the position, the path of the yoke slide changes from zero to the maximum stroke length.
The advantage lies in the variable control of the output movement. By adjusting the “throw”, the mechanism can be used flexibly for different applications – for example as part of a CVT transmission (Continuously Variable Transmission). The structure of the mechanism is based on a central pinion, a rack and a sliding component, which is produced using 3D printing and then glued together.
All individual parts and assembly instructions are freely accessible on Thingiverse. Murray-Smith emphasizes that this is not an exact replica of an industrial system, but an open template for your own experiments. The mechanism is particularly suitable for makers who want to experiment with mechanical transmissions or test their own drive and control concepts in 3D printing.
The Variable Scotch Yoke model is available here and the Flate Plate Scotch Yoke model here.
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