Glass –
Since I have a 3D printer, I always print on glass, and found it so much easier to cut the ribbon on glass.
1
st
tape down your ribbon cutting guide, then some parchment paper, then lay the foil on the parchment, and
top off with another layer of parchment paper. I also just used some picture frame glass.
Ribbon Alignment Jig –
This 3D Printed part is probably the single most important thing I made. Getting the
ribbon properly aligned and tensioned in the motor is really tough when you just lay the motor on your desk,
and try to do everything free hand. This jig allows you to place the Ribbon Motor in it, than drape the ribbon
element across it to more easily align it, and put tension on it. I used brass nuts, to hold the ribbon in place, and
used a toothpick to slide them (the brass nuts) around to align and tension the ribbon. The ribbon really needs
something to help keep it aligned. This really did the trick. Then tighten up the clamps to hold the ribbon in
place (one end 1
st
, make final adjustments, then the other end). If there was any one thing that I was happy
about, it was this jig. I literally was able to use my very 1
st
ribbon and got it done in like 5 minutes. I attribute it
to this tool. After working on some other ribbon motors, I came up with a simplified version. Both versions are
included for download and print.
