200PL-compatible quick release plate for Manfrotto tripods (with FreeCAD sources)

This is a basic implementation of the 200PL tripod quick release plate used by a wide range of Manfrotto tripods, complete with FreeCAD source, for adaptation projects.

There are lots of 200PL plate STLs out there, why another?

Mostly because as a novice I wanted to try to design one from scratch. I find adapting STL or STEP designs is often frustrating. 

(At the time I also couldn't find one with FreeCAD source for my projects – though I now see I missed one by Mario M which is in the “related models” tab)

This is a parametric design. It's not an exact reproduction, but I have included what I believe are the major features based on a simple symmetrical profile. All the core features are described in spreadsheet-driven sketches, so the additional chamfers can quickly be redrawn if you run into difficulties with those. 

There are many generations of tripod heads using the 200PL plate, with varying designs and tolerances. Those of you who own more than one compatible head will know that there’s a varying degree of sideways slop even with the official plate. So you may find this design useful if you wish to make a particularly snug fit, as you can modify the basic measurements from the spreadsheet.

If you are adding features to the top of the plate and printing it in its ordinary orientation, you may wish to add integrated support underneath. The 200PL clamp profile does not have any features inside the hollow of the plate, so the plate itself can be solid as long as the side cutaways are preserved.

I am not a FreeCAD expert by any means, so I welcome feedback or corrections on anything I could have done better.

AMF, STEP and STL files are provided as well as the FreeCAD source.

Is it strong enough to mount a camera on it?

This is for you to decide! I will be using this for adapting mounts like torches, LED lamps and webcams, rather than a big heavy Nikon D4 or the like. I would strongly recommend using a metal plate if you are mounting a heavy camera.

My rather rough test print in the photos is PLA, but I imagine a variation in PETG or a 72D+ TPU with thicker walls could also be strong. I would not expect layer splitting; you could vary the wall thickness if you are concerned (and print with several perimeters). But it may be that there's a bit more wobble from less rigid materials.

Tested with:

I've printed this in Creality PLA on a Creality Ender 2 Pro, and done fit testing with the 390RC2 video pan head, the 460MG magnesium three way head, the 234RC “tilt-top” monopod head, and the  484RC2 ball head. 

License

As I've benefited from similar in the past, I have made this file available in the public domain; you can use it however you like. But let me know if it works for you!