New products

We have three new products available for MakerBeamXL: two brackets and a long version of the T-slot nut XL.

Let’s start with the new longer T-slot nut, article number 104555.

This T-slot nut was created to give both more strength to your connection and to make it easier to fasten the brackets. Sometimes only one nut is needed to slide the bracket into the beam, see below.

MakerBeamXL (15x15mm) is sometimes used for projects that require a bit of extra stifness. The triangular corner bracket provides this bit of sturdiness. The triangular corner brackets for MakerBeamXL are packed 12 in a bag, article number 104599.

The triangular corner brackets do have a downside. The brackets take up more of the slot so it is less easy to use the slots for sheets to create a case. It is easier then to use the right angle brackets (article number 101732).

Last but not least we created the straight bracket for MakerBeamXL, article number 104623. The possibilities for the straight brackets are endless so that is why we added this bracket to the MakerBeamXL product range.

Team MakerBeam

Ultimaker dust cover

Vincent Mensink of Studio Mensink is a regular customer. He works on product design and special props and effects. He has to come up with ingenious constructions to make these designs work. He loves MakerBeam (10x10mm), MakerBeamXL (15x15mm) and OpenBeam, especially the profiles anodised in black.

MakerBeam is used a lot in combination with items that are ready available and custom 3D printed items. To create these custom 3D printed parts he has a few Ultimakers lined up.

You will notice the dust covers on these Ultimakers. These covers were especially designed by Vincent to fit the Ultimaker. You can find the special designed brackets and the bill of materials on Thingiverse. You can also find the bill of materials below.

Dust cover designed for the Ultimaker 2+

The Acrylic lasercut plates slide into the MakerBeam frame.
The 3D printed brackets lock the cover into place.

Part list:
MakerBeam (10x10mm)
• 4x 200mm (b: 100090, c: 100180)
• 7x 300mm (b: 100102, c: 100191)
• 8x corner cube (b: 100988, c: 100270)
• 8x T-slot nut (101619)
• 8x M3 6mm bolts (100359)

Laser cut:
• 1x Top-300,56mm x 300,56mm (2mm acrylic)
• 4x Side-200,56mm x 300,56mm (2mm acrylic)

3D print:
• 4x DustCover Bracket (3 walls/100%fill)

Team MakerBeam

Bracket design

In november 2013 a guy called Aleksandr sent us an email asking our input for a design problem.  He sent us an email with some Sketchup pictures laying down the problem. He also made some sketches of possible solutions.
The brackets he proposes will not be taken into production, but the sketches are great to discuss here.  They clearly demonstrate a design problem we often encounter with MakerBeam. In working on our stepper motor brackets for example we encountered the same problem. The problem in short: MakerBeam is definitely small in size!

First the problem Aleksandr had. Aleksander wanted to connect beams crosswise, see below.

Beams to connect crosswise.

He also made pictures of possible brackets that will solve this problem. He was thinking of what looks like a combination of the 90 degree bracket and the corner bracket. We could see his problem. We could also see that this problem could be easily solved by our right angle bracket. Back then we just had received some samples. This helped to explain Aleksandr we were working on a solution. You can see his drawings below and a picture of our solution at the far right.

The brackets suggested by Aleksander make clear it is not easy to create brackets for MakerBeam. Here is an overview of his suggestions.

Suggested corner style brackets

What is not immediately obvious from these drawing is the problem of space. The corner style brackets leave no room a nut driver. Or, since you do need a nut driver, it is better said they leave no room for the bracket itself.
Let’s do the math. The diameter of the nut driver is 8mm (nut outside dimension: 5,5mm). The width of the beam is 10mm. This leaves for ony 1mm of space on both sides for the material. This is too thin for metal to make a strong corner connection.
The diameter of the screw by the way is 2,8mm (M3).

The right angle bracket is a much simpler solution. It is now available in our shop. Here is a link.

Leaving room for a hex nut driver is something that is overlooked in a number of bracket designs we received. We love to hear ideas regarding brackets and are always looking forward to receive new ideas for brackets.  Or for other products suited for MakerBeam (and OpenBeam) for that matter. If you think of designs remember MakerBeam is a wonderful small and lightweight product with the emphasis on small!

Team MakerBeam

Right angle bracket

A new product is available! It is the right angle bracket pictured below. To see the product in our webshop click here or on the picture.

Right angle bracket (b90p12ra) for MakerBeam and OpenBeam

The introduction of a new bracket is a good start for the new year we thought.  This right angle bracket is very similar to the 90 degree bracket. It’s right angle shape however gives the opportunity to connect the beams crosswise. And with beams we mean both OpenBeam and MakerBeam beams! This fastener is suited for both. Below are a few more pictures.

Left: right angle bracket. Right: 90 degree brackets

A cross connection of the beams is possible.

A cross connection can be made with both OpenBeam and MakerBeam

The right angle bracket is suited for both OpenBeam and MakerBeam.

There also is a pdf with a drawing and some measurements available. You can find this pdf here: pdf drawing right angle bracket makerbeam

Team MakerBeam