clockspring3D
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Exclusive! Print-in-Place Clamp!
🕑 Added 2019-12-17 15:12:17 +0000 UTC"Why do you create?" asks the Patreon text box in front of me here, and for me the answer is often "I like a challenge!". And this was a great one!
I was at my local hardware store, and happened past the clamps. Now, I own many clamps, because clamps are just great things to have. And I thought to myself, well, there are undoubtedly printed clamps out there, but could it be possible to print a clamp that's all print-in-place? So, all pieces permanently connected? Obviously there would need to be a mechanism that forces the clamp closed, so that part would require printing in either an open or closed position... hinges... swivels....
And here we are!
* Five hinges! The main body has a big hinge. The clamp surfaces at the end are hinged so they'll sit flat regardless of how open or closed the clamp is. And the nut and bolt are hinged so that they can sit at the correct angle to each other (or else that screw closure won't work!)
* A captive nut and bolt! That's what adjusts and tightens the clamp. The bolt has an adjuster wheel, too. The whole thing rotates freely, but is fixed within the clamp body.
Of course, I didn't start with this design. Early versions looked more like clothes pegs, triangular forms that caused the bolt to have some fairly severe angles. Eventually it occurred to me that a C-shape would be much better than an A-shape, so the main hinge became elevated instead of sitting on the bed.
So, how strong is this thing?
Well, it's a plastic clamp, so realistic expectations are needed, but it can exert considerable force. That screw is powerful, and in fact the most likely point of failure is in the screw tearing itself out of its rotating housing. The forces there are perpendicular to the layer lines, too, so that's going to make it even more likely to be the first point to go.
That said, print it with a bit of infill and don't try to win any strong-person contests with it, and it should be just fine. I've had a couple of test clamps in use for a few days, and they're a) surprisingly useful and b) holding up just fine!
Creative Printer tier supporters, you'll find this model in the dropbox!
Enjoy! :D
(and show me any cool uses you find for the clamp!)
Comments
Clockspring3D
You'll find it in the Dropbox under "Print in place clamp" and then the "larger clamp plates" folder under that! Just pulled my test print off the printer and it's a definite improvement! 😁.
Mex
Hey how to Download it?
Clockspring3D
As you've probably already seen, I have a new version up! Still test printing it myself, but hopefully it'll improve reliability by removing that part that was prone to toppling over :)
Clockspring3D
Openscad is the best! Neat idea 😎
I've added a bridge on the first layer that I can easily cut away afterwards. I'll try it later today but I think it should work. (quick openscad hack) union() { translate([0,0,-20]) import("Print-in-place_clamp_v12.stl"); translate([70,7.5,0]) cube([13,5,0.2]); translate([-55,7.5,0]) cube([13,5,0.2]); }
Clockspring3D
Believe it or not, that problem was even worse in some early versions! There's a real compromise there between how large the contact area is for that part and what it's range of motion is. Hmm, now I wonder if perhaps there's a better way... 🤔😁
printed two of them - unfortunately the jaws / clamping plates didn't stick to the build plate and wiggled around - but that's only a cosmetic problem. Incredible model! Thanks!
