MakerBeam 10 mm Aluminum Profile System
We have a MakerBeam aluminum profile system for creating small, desktop enclosures and support structures. It is similar to our large Rose+Krieger aluminum profile system, just smaller - the beam profiles are 10 x 10 mm in size. The initial set of components was purchased in August 2013 from the German distributor ChartUp.com (contact from MakerFaire Hannover 2013: Dipl.-Phys. Anton G. Mückl, CEO,
Getting Started
Because there are lots of small components that are quickly lost, you receive the complete MakerBeam kit in its box from Jan-Peter, and you're responsible for returning the complete box when you're done. Check against the inventory below. Let us know if something is missing. When you have built your project, you have two options:
- Take it apart again and put everything back so the box is complete again
- If it's needed more permanently (for more than a month), leave it assembled and purchase the replacement parts (your PhD student can help you with this) so the box is complete again.
It's much easier to assemble this system if you use this trick:
- Stick the first bolt (screw) through a hole in the bracket (connector plate)
- Loosely attach a nut on the other side
- Repeat for all bolts and nuts
- Slide this prepared bracket into the first aluminum beam you want to connect (the screw head goes into the profile, not the nut)
- Tighten the nuts
- Repeat with the second aluminum beam to connect
For clarification, here is the "Quick Start" guide from MakerBeam:
Our MakerBeam Inventory
All components are stored in a white and blue MakerBeam Storage Box.1 Starter Kit
50 Mini T-slot Profile Beams, Anodised in Clear
- 4 x 300 mm
- 8 x 200 mm
- 6 x 150 mm
- 16 x 100 mm
- 8 x 60 mm
- 8 x 40 mm
60 Silver Metal Brackets - Marked with Angle in Radians(!)
- 24 x 90 degrees (τ/4)
- 12 x 60 degrees (τ/6)
- 12 x 45 degrees (τ/8)
- 12 x corner brackets
250 Nuts and Bolts
- 250 Square-headed M3 Bolts 6 mm
- 250 M3 Nuts
Tools
- 1 MakerBeam 5.5 mm Hex Nut Driver (black and green plastic handle)
1 Evaluation Kit
* 1 Mini T-slot Profile Beam, Anodised in Clear, 100 mm* 1 Mini T-slot Profile Beam, Anodised in Black, 100 mm
* 1 Mini T-slot Profile Beam, Anodised in Clear, 40 mm
* 1 Silver Metal Bracket, 90 degrees
* 1 Silver Metal Bracket, 45 degrees
- 1 MakerBeam 5.5 mm Hex Nut Driver (black and green plastic handle)
Additional Components
- 12 Vinyl End Caps for MakerBeam (black) - slide onto profile to protect yourself and your table from scratches
- 1 Servo Bracket for MakerBeam - mount a standard servo
- 4 Standoffs or Spacers for MakerBeam - mount a raised PCB
- 100 M3 Bolts 12 mm, Round Head - long but tend to turn in the slot, harder to tighten - use square heads instead
- 100 M3 Bolts with Rectangular (Wing Type) Head 6 mm - fits into profile from above - great to add something to an existing construction later
- 50 M3 Cap Nuts with Washers - cover bolt ends sticking out, protect yourself and your table from scratches
- 10 Bearings, Bolts (12 mm, Square Head), and Self-locking Nuts - make sliding contraptions and joints, see small instruction card
- 1 MakerBeam Eye Plate Kit - to run cables through, or hang a project from a hook
- 1 Sample Bag (1 extra bearing, various bolts)