An easy-to-use open-source camera backpack clip for those who don't wanna pay a fortune for an off-the-shelf one.
In the contest Cameras And Accessories
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updated July 31, 2022

Description

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What is this?

BackClip is an easy-to-use open-source camera backpack clip for those who don't wanna pay a fortune for an off-the-shelf one.

I originally designed this about a year ago and since then it has overcome several iterations. Now I added refined tolerance for easier printing, a new backside, and this handy guide to improve the reproducibility of the project. I'm using the clip on a daily basis since its first version and it has served me well to this point.

If you want to modify it I also included the Fusion 360 file for further improvements.

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BOM

QtyNameLayer heightInfillSupportMaterial
1xClip top0.1mm>70%Yes - Build plate onlyPETG
1xClip bottom*0.1mm>70%Yes - Build plate onlyPETG
1xClip bottom rubber**0.1mm>70%NoTPU
1xPlate*0.1mm>70%NoPETG
1xPlate rubber top**0.1mm>70%NoTPU
1xButton0.1mm>70%NoPETG
2xScrew knob0.1mm>70%NoPETG
1xNut tops0.1mm>70%NoPETG
2xM5 18mm Flanged button head screw    
2xM5 Normal height nut    
1xM3 5mm Low profile socket head screw    
1x3.71mm (to 4mm) x 19mm compression spring    
1x1/4-20 Tripod screw    

* (with or without the rubber surface)

** (optional, print it if you don't have a multi-material printer)

 Tools

  • Screwdriver
  • Box cutter or Exacto knife
  • Round-shaped file
  • CA glue (aka super glue)
  • WD-40 or some other machine oil (I used gun oil)
  • Sandpaper (optional)

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Printing

I'd suggest printing out the whole clip from PETG (except the rubber parts which are TPU) since it's rigid enough to withstand the stress coming from carrying a camera and has a high enough melting point to resist the heat caused by the sun and its slippery surface helps in the operation of the clip.

The clip's infill should be higher than 70% so it does not bend under the screw's clamping force.

The clip bottom and the plate can be printed with the rubber surface in place with a multi-material printer or by using this trick. 

Alternatively, you can just print out them separately and then super glue them together. (In this case, you might need to trim them down a little bit since there is no tolerance whatsoever between the two parts.)

 

These are the recommended printing orientations with the support materials in place:

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Cleaning up the prints

Brake off the supports, cut off the excess plastic with a knife and then file it down in these particular spots (and anywhere else where it's needed):

Filing down the top clip's buttonhole is critical since the button wouldn't even fit into the hole because of the height difference caused by the bridging.

Optionally you can also sand and polish the whole print down for a smoother operation.

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Assembly

To help with the assembly here is a 3D model which can be opened from any web browser.

#0 If you printed the rubber parts separately then trim them down and glue them in place

 
#1 Glue the screw knobs to the M5 screw's bottom

 
#2 Put the nuts in place then seal them up by gluing the nut tops in place

 
#3 Put the spring into the clip top's button hole (it should be in the wider section of the hole) and then put in the button

 
#4 File down the M3 screw, until its head, is about 2mm high, and then screw it into the button. You should be careful since you need to cut its thread in.

 
#5 Put the whole thing together


 

#6 Enjoy! :)


 

TODO



 

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