Mechanical Parts - Forum https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/ Discussion Board en-US Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:27:53 +0000 wpForo 60 Enquiry on mechanical files(2D CAD files and such) https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/enquiry-on-mechanical-files2d-cad-files-and-such/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:02:06 +0000 Dear OpenExo team,

Thank you for making the OpenExo project open source, and congratulations on your being accepted by Science Robotics! I am a grade 1 postgraduate student from Fudan University, China, trying to reproduce the hip exoskeleton hardware and have downloaded the CAD files from the repository.

However, I noticed that the mechanical files appear to include mainly SolidWorks part and assembly files (.SLDPRT / .SLDASM). For manufacturing, especially CNC machining, I could not find complete STEP files, 2D manufacturing drawings, threaded-hole callouts, or assembly drawings.

Would it be possible to share the following files for the hip belt assembly and machined parts?

1. STEP/STP files for all CNC-machined and 3D-printed parts
2. 2D manufacturing drawings or PDF drawings for the aluminum CNC parts
3. Threaded-hole specifications, including thread size, hole depth, and tapping depth
4. Assembly drawings or exploded views for the hip belt assembly
5. Any recommended tolerances, materials, and post-processing notes

In particular, I am trying to manufacture the aluminum ab/adduction blocks and want to avoid mistakes in threaded holes, hole sizes, and mating dimensions.

OpenExo is my life-saver. Just as you mentioned in your paper, most people(even researchers) lack full-stack capacity of making an exoskeleton from scratch. I saw your team has 11 people, which is incredible and prosperous, but we only have 2, our instructor asked us to go full-stack, but we even do not major in mechanics! Anyway, I really appreciate your work and would be really, really grateful for any additional manufacturing files or guidance you can provide.

Best regards,
Gao Siming

]]> Mechanical Parts Huge fan of OpenExo https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/enquiry-on-mechanical-files2d-cad-files-and-such/ Mechanical Testing for 3D Printed Motor Mounts https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/mechanical-testing-for-3d-printed-motor-mounts/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:27:32 +0000 Hi,

I am currently experimenting with and validating different 3D printing materials for the 3D Printed Motor Mounts. I was wondering if you could share what tests you conducted to validate your design using the Onyx filament.

I am specifically focusing on the hip ad/abduction block (both the hip and leg sides), as well as the motor-to-leg shell interface. What mechanical tests would you recommend for these components? Additionally, based on your testing and experience with OpenExo, what are the primary load cases acting on these parts?

Thanks,
Lauren

]]> Mechanical Parts laudew https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/mechanical-testing-for-3d-printed-motor-mounts/ Elbow exo build guide? https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/elbow-exo-build-guide/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:37:52 +0000 There was a forum post related to a question about the elbow system that was mistakenly deleted (sorry!). 

Answer: We are currently working on the elbow build guide and expect to release it by the beginning of April. 

]]> Mechanical Parts Zachary Lerner https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/elbow-exo-build-guide/ Ankle build cable crimps https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/ankle-build-cable-crimps/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:17:45 +0000 I am following the ankle build guide, but I am stuck on the last steps of using the cable crimps to secure the steel cable through the pulley (image attached). In the BOM, the only cable crimps listed are McMaster 3914T11. However, it seems too small to be able to fit both ends of the cable through. I was wondering if the cable crimps that were referred to in the guide are different from what's listed in the BOM or if I am looking at the wrong BOM. I would appreciate it if you could let me know the product number. 

]]> Mechanical Parts delta https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/ankle-build-cable-crimps/ Confusion in hip assembly. https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/confusion-in-hip-assembly/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:20:18 +0000 while I am assembling the abductionblockouter to motors. The wiki says to use M3 screws but it cant fit in the block. I checked with 3d model which i used to fabricate aluminium where the holes has diameter of 2.5mm, which is same has my fabricated part, and there are no threads inside the holes, how to fit it. Help me, am i making any mistake?

]]> Mechanical Parts HarshithDeshalliRavi https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/confusion-in-hip-assembly/ Parallel Elastic Elements https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/parallel-elastic-elements/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:18:51 +0000 How would you recommend adding parallel elastic elements to a joint?

]]> Mechanical Parts ssh252 https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/parallel-elastic-elements/