Mini Clamp Print-in-place

The main source page for this model is on GitHub. The GitHub page may have more recent updates and more detailed instructions.

Go to my site for an overview of my other models. Not all of them are published on Printables.

What is it?

This is a print-in-place small clamp or clothespin, that requires no assembly or external springs. The working principle is inspired by muzz64's ‘Germz’. The outer part of the clamp acts as the spring.

It comes in 2 variants, one with the ‘jaws’ in a zig-zag interlocking design, which is best for grabbing thin objects or cloth, and one with symmetric jaws, best for grabbing wires or thin sticks.

Printing

The recommended material is PETG, because it is good at retaining its ‘springiness.’ ABS or ASA may also be OK. PLA will work, but has a tendency to ‘creep’ under tension, and also to become brittle and break over time.

You should use at least 3 perimeters when printing at an extrusion width of 0.6 mm, or 4 perimeters with an extrusion width of 0.45 mm. Infill is not terribly important, I used 15%.

3MF files are provided for the MK3 as an example.

The models with xtraTol in their name have a slightly larger clearance between the overhangs. If the regular models end up fused, try printing the xtraTol models instead.

Scaling up should work fine, scaling down could be problematic as the tolerances are designed to be pretty tight at normal scale.

License

This model has a Creative Commons Attribution license. If you want to sell prints of this model, or showcase it on a website or video, instructions can be found on the GitHub page.