Heat Set Insert Press

UPDATE: Added STEP file format.
In this project we're building a rig for installing heat set inserts. Use 3D printed parts and hardware to build a solder rig with smooth linear roller action! Make perfectly straight inserts with precision using a tip for installing inserts.

Learn guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/heat-set-rig/
Project video https://youtu.be/bbsD-3\_AP\_0
3D Hangouts https://youtu.be/AJ9JT\_pHqAw
Layer by Layer https://youtu.be/Yrz57TUeFzI

When working with 3D printed parts, a press can help you install inserts. This holds a soldering iron vertically and allows you to press down, perfectly straight. The tip of the iron heats up the brass and softens the plastic. Pressing down pushes the insert into the part and once it cools down, it’s locked in place. This could be handy for folks doing a small production run or if you're looking for a tool to make this easier.

This rig makes installing inserts feel like pressing a hot knife through butter – The linear motion on this build feels smooth. This is definitely over engineered and we spent way too much time on it but we think folks will find it useful. The rig is modular and uses common hardware – The 3d printed parts can be remixed and modified to work with other components. There’s a learn guide for this project so folks can build their own.

Holding the iron straight seems simple enough and works fine most of the time but the conical shape of a regular soldering iron tip can catch the insert and accidentally pull it out while melting the plastic – And that can sometimes ruin parts.

Soldering Iron 60W
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3685

Heat-Set Installation Tips
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4239

2020 Aluminum Extrusion
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1221

M4 button head screws
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1160

M4 Slim T-Nuts
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1157

Stickvise PCB vise
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3197

Soldering Tips for Heat Set Inserts
https://www.adafruit.com/product/4239

Inventor II 3D Printer
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3897

Filament for 3D Printers
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080

Print instructions

Licence: Creative Commons - Attribution Category: DIY Brass Threaded Inserts

Threaded inserts are great for making bolted connections when securing parts together.
Adding metal threads to your parts will significantly increase the durability.
You can also loosen the connection and take it apart without wearing out the threads.

The knurling on the outside of these brass inserts are design for heat setting plastic.
A tip specifically designed for installing inserts works better than regular soldering tips.
These are compatible with irons that use internal ceramic heaters like Hakko’s and Weller’s. The longer shank reaches deeper into parts and tight corners without touching plastic.

Custom Section

How It Works

The build uses 2020 aluminum and a roller carriage – It’s got ball bearings and wheels to go up and down the piece of 2020. It’s counter weighted so it’s effortless to press down and lift. There’s a pulley and idler at the top for paracord to loop around a ball bearing.
The soldering iron is clamped to an arm and bolted to the roller carriage.
A T-Nut acts as an end stop and prevents the tip of the iron from hitting the platform.
The platform itself is a piece of wood with the 2020 secured to a 3d printed bracket.
This makes heat sets so much more precise and gives perfectly straight results every time.
So if you’re making lots of parts and need to streamline your production, this might work for you.