-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 0
Running Wheel System (RUNSYS)
Construction:
-
Cut Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" to 3.5cm in length.
-
Attach the cut Wooden Rod to the large end of the Shaft Coupler. Tighten the black screw all the way down. Insert the other black screw into the other side, and tighten it just enough so that it doesn't fall out on its own.
-
Cut the 5cc Syringe at the line corresponding to "3 mL" of liquid. This can be done most easily with the Dremel or a saw. We will work with the end that contains the Leur-Lock tip. The plunger and the far end can be set aside for later use.
-
Using a 7/32" Drill Bit, insert the bit into the inside of the syringe and try your best to center it with the hole where liquid is usually dispensed. Stabilize the syringe so that it doesn't twist along with the drill bit, and drill to remove the very center of the tip. If done correctly, the little "pipe" in the middle should come away fairly clean, and you should be left with a 7/32" hole centered in the "neck" of the tip, which remains intact. See picture.
-
Using a smaller 9/64" Drill bit, drill two holes in the side of the syringe body: The first at the "2mL" delineation of the syringe, which serves to release the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder side of the Shaft Coupler. The second at the "2/5 mL" delination, which will serve to release the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" side of the Shaft Coupler. These are important, as they allow the user to adjust, replace, and service the parts of the running wheel system without having to break the glue. See attached picture for clarification.
-
Insert the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder shaft into the unoccupied end of the Shaft Coupler and tighten the black screw to secure it. There should be a very slight gap between the top of the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder and the Shaft Coupler to minimize friction between the two parts, but they should nearly be touching (See the large picture below). See the following pictures for the process. Note that in the pictures these steps are performed in the modified 5cc Syringe. This is not required: these steps can be performed outside of the syringed and then the assembled components can be inserted in the following step.
-
As shown in the pictures above, the hexagonal nut screwed on to the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder should be approximately flush with the cut end of the 5cc Syringe as shown in the first picture. You want to ensure that the shaft is approximately centered the whole time, as contact with any part of the 5cc Syringe will introduce friction when the wheel is in use. Once you're sure the shaft is centered and balanced, glue the nut to the end of the syringe. I find this easiest to do with hot glue. Keep in mind that you want to avoid getting glue in the syringe itself, as we want the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder to be able to unscrew from the nut that's affixed to the end of the syringe.
-
Allow the glue to dry, and make any adjustments needed to ensure the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" rotates smoothly with as little friction/resistance as possible while the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder remains fixed. This completes the core hardware. All that remains is to make the hole in the Amber Igloo.
-
Using the large 3/8" drill bit, drill a hole in the Amber Igloo centered on its existing hole that's used to mount the Amber Fast-Trac in an unmodified configuration. Be sure to safely secure the base of the Amber Igloo so it doesn't torque away while you drill the hole. If the hole is centered perfectly, it will result in the plastic nub on the underside of the Amber Igloo being perfectly hollowed-out. Unfortunately, we must remove any plastic that remains from the plastic nub that sticks up from the bottom of the Amber Igloo. See examples of remaining plastic that must be removed in the right three pictures below.
-
After removing any remaining plastic pieces and making it as smooth as possible, add a layer of hot glue around the bottom of the hole you drilled to further smooth out any height differences.
-
Insert the "neck" of the 5cc Syringe syringe through the hole with the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" sticking out the top. Ensure that the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" sticks out at an appropriate angle, and that the small holes you drilled in the side of the 5cc Syringe to access the screws are accessible by your Allen Wrench (I need to have the holes facing one of the three "doors" in the Amber Igloo so my long Allen Wrench can fit to access them. Once you're sure everything is aligned how you like it, flood the inside of the Amber Igloo around the 5cc Syringe with hot glue to secure it in place. Once this dries, you can very carefully add a thin layer of hot glue around the "neck" of the syringe and the hole on the outside of the Amber Igloo to ensure it won't budge. Be careful not to get any glue into the "neck" of the 5cc Syringe or on the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" as this could introduce friction.
-
The last step is sliding the Amber Fast-Trac onto the protruding end of the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12". The Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" should be completely seated into the Amber Fast-Trac, and the Amber Fast-Trac should not be in contact at all with the Amber Igloo or any extraneous hot glue around the base of the "neck". The wheel should rotate freely without resistance, and should complete at least 20 rotations on its own after giving it a strong spin with your fingers.
Connections:
| Pin | Connection |
|---|---|
| MIC3: 3-Pin Micro Connector / Unterminated, Shielded Cable - "red" | Labjack - "VS" |
| MIC3: 3-Pin Micro Connector / Unterminated, Shielded Cable - "green" | Labjack - "AIN0" |
| MIC3: 3-Pin Micro Connector / Unterminated, Shielded Cable - "black" | Labjack - "GND" |
Name: 5cc Syringe Shortname: 5cc
Ordering Link: https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/Search.aspx?searchkeyWord=9004477
Subcomponents:
Description: A 5mL Syringe that is heavily modified to serve as the holder for the running wheel shaft.
Notes:
Name: Amber Fast-Trac Shortname: Fast-Trac
Ordering Link: http://www.bio-serv.com/product/Mouse_Igloo.html
Part #: K3250
Subcomponents:
Description: A disc-like track that allows the mouse to run. Attaches to Amber Igloo.
Notes: The original Running Wheel Shaft Diameter is: 4.65 [mm] 0.1840 inches
Name: Amber Igloo Shortname: Igloo
Ordering Link: http://www.bio-serv.com/product/Mouse_Igloo.html
Part #: K3328
Subcomponents:
Description: A translucent Igloo that attaches to the Amber Fast-Trac.
Notes: The original Running Wheel Shaft Diameter is: 4.65 [mm] 0.1840 inches
Name: MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder Shortname: MA3
Ordering Link: https://www.usdigital.com/products/encoders/absolute/magnetic/MA3
Part #: MA3-A10-125-B
Subcomponents: MIC3_ 3-Pin Micro Connector Unterminated, Shielded Cable
Name: Running Wheel Dome Shortname: Dome
Description: A 3D Printed dome that goes inside the running wheel igloo.
Current Version Filename: "Running Wheel Internal Dome - 6.SLDPRT" Current Export Filename: "Running Wheel Internal Dome - 6.form"
Subcomponents: Connectors:
Notes:
Name: 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch Stainless Steel Set Screw Shaft Coupler Shortname: Shaft Coupler
Ordering Link: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Screw-Shaft-Coupler/dp/B012DV5EDQ
Subcomponents:
Description: A set screw shaft coupler that converts between the MA3 - Absolute Magnetic Shaft Encoder 1/8" shaft and the Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" 3/16" shaft. Contained within the modified 5cc Syringe.
Notes: The original Running Wheel Shaft Diameter is: 4.65 [mm] 0.1840 inches
Name: Wooden Dowel Rod - 3/16" x 12" Shortname: Wooden Dowel Rod
Ordering Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Dowel-Rods-16-12/dp/B00YZ0I60M/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=3%2F16%22+wooden+dowels&qid=1575992907&sr=8-4
Subcomponents:
Description: Wooden Dowel Rods 3/16" x 12" - Bag of 25. Cut to 3.5cm long to serve as the connection between Shaft Coupler and the Running Wheel Wheel.
Notes: