Quick and Easy to Print Clips Collection

These were designed for the quick and useful competition! 

My first thought when I read 'useful' was to make some sort of clip or fastening but as I started researching existing technologies, there were just so many clever little clips out there that I couldn't settle on any one idea that I had so I decided to make a collection of easy-print, multi-purpose models instead!

Obviously these aren't all original concepts - clips, pegs etc. have been around for so long and are already such simple and effective tools that it's a bit of a reinventing the wheel type situation however they are all original designs made specifically for printing so they all print with no supports, no assembly, no extra parts like springs etc. 

Every model printed in under 30 minutes for me but I don't (unfortunately) have a Prusa printer - I did slice each model using PrusaSlicer default profiles though and all estimated print times were also under 30 mins each - PrusaSlicer time estimates  for each model are below!
 

Printing

I'd recommend printing in something like PETG as it gives a little more flexibility than PLA

All of these models print in 1 piece and with no need for supports, brim, raft etc.

All models have been test printed - all printed in under 30 minutes and work as intended - I'm not going to pretend they're equivalent to a moulded part or a metal part etc. but they work fine for light use and are quick to print when you're in a pinch!

No fancy settings required - I printed at 30% infill with 2 perimeters but due to the thin designs, they all print almost solid anyway (not much infill space in  them!).

• Table clip - 2 sizes for thinner and thicker table surfaces

- 21 mins thicker tables      - 18 mins thinner tables

This is a  springy clip that slots over the edge of a table or desk - great for holding large sheets of paper e.g. when drawing or looking at maps/plans or just for holding a tablecloth in place (particularly helpful when outdoors)

• Tube clip - 2 sizes for holding materials of varying thicknesses 

- Both 29 mins

A simple cylindrical clip with a slot - smallest is good for holding packets closed/ a few pieces of paper together and larger versions are better for bulkier materials like fabrics or plastic

• Squeeze clip - 2 different sizes 

-Wider clip 25 mins      - 13 mins smaller clip

This clip is similar to a binder clip - opened by squeezing the tabs, it's handy for various applications and is strong enough to hold several sheets of paper or to seal packets etc.

• Clothes Peg

-26 mins

A fairly traditional clothes peg - no spring required, works well for hanging out clothes but is a great multi-purpose peg really

• Grippy clip - one size but can be scaled within reason

-16 mins

This clip has protrusions facing inward - this allows the clip to be easily slotted over soft materials such as fabric but stops the clip from sliding back off (still easily removed by hand!) - they make good quilt clips!

• Safety pin style clip

-5 mins 

This uses the same mechanic as a safety pin but is not sharp - almost like a tiny carabiner. I did try printing this scaled up and it still worked well.

• Paper clip

-2 mins

Simple flat paper clip - just slots over a few pieces of paper to hold them together. Also works nicely as a bookmark and has a pointed end so can be used as page place marker too.