Turning a threaded rod with a motor

Question

I'm attempting to build a claw machine and I want to use threaded rods to enable the claw to move around, such as how you would do it on a cnc router or 3d printer. However, I can't seem to find a way to attach the threaded rod to the motor. How would I do this?

turfgnome · Accepted Answer

I would use a coupling for that either a 3d printed one or one such as this Rigid Couplings | MSCDirect.com

jw0752 · Answer

Hi Jamie, In many cases the difficulty with getting an exact alignment requires some flexibility from the motor shaft to the threaded rod. This can be accomplished with a sleeve such as shown by Robert but using a loose fit and pins through the two shafts. I have also seen a rubber sleeve used to isolate the motor and threaded rods slightly from each other. In both cases it forms a slight U-joint that allows the motor shaft and threaded rod some latitude in their alignment. In the cases where the shaft of the motor is firmly affixed to the threaded rod I have seen the motor mounted in such a way that it can move slightly on its mounts.

John

dougw · Answer

Also check out flexible couplings - they are designed to accommodate slight misalignments. e14 sells some.