Modular Mounting System Arms - Customizable by 6d6178

Last crawled date: 2 years, 10 months ago

This is a customizable remix of the Modular Mounting System V4 (thing:3689842) by jtronics with the following differences:
It uses the dimensions of the original Modular Mounting System (thing:2194278) by Ryan Huang aka HeyVye for better compatibility and fit.
STEP files are available for easy remixing and for use in your CAD assemblies.
More sizes! All arms come in 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 mm lengths.
Rotated arms. All arms are available with a 90 degree rotation so you don't have to print an axis changer just to change the axis.
Optional structural bridges. The provided STL files come with structural bridges where it makes sense. But you can customize the arm to have any number of bridges.
Customizable in Onshape. Need an odd size or do the tolerances not work for you? No problem. Read more under the Customization section below.
Need a way to hook up cables to these arms? Check out my compatible Cable Hook. Also check out the #modular_mount and #MMs tags to find compatible accessories.
File Naming
There are a lot of files in the download section. To make things easier the files use a naming scheme:
M5_Knob_[GRIP_TYPE]
Axis_Changer_20mm
Arm_Straight_[LENGTH]_[BRIDGES]
Arm_Rotated_[LENGTH]_[BRIDGES]
Required Hardware for Knob
M5x18mm or M5x20mm screw
M5 nut (don't use nyloc nuts. they hold too tight and can break the arm when loosening the bolt)
Sizing
The length of an arm is measured from hole to hole. Please take additional dimensions from the image below.

Customize
The files in the downloads section contain a wide range of sizes but you can customize all the parts to your specific needs.
Head over to the Onshape document and tweak the values in the "Configuration" section in the upper left. Then, in the lower half of the sidebar, right-click on the part and select "Export". You can export the customized part in various formats including STL and STEP.
Customize Arm Straight
Customize Arm Rotated
Customize Axis Changer
The drawing below explains which configuration parameters affect which dimension.

In Onshape, tweak the configuration parameters and export the new part as STL or STEP file.

Printing
Print in the material of your choice. PLA is strong enough for most applications such as webcam arms.
For a stronger arm, use more perimeters instead of cranking up the infill. Use 3 or 4 perimeters. 20% infill is enough. For long arms, choose the STL with 1 or 2 structural bridges.
Supports
The M5 Knobs don't require any support material.
The Straight Arm doesn't require supports if you have great cooling but it prints nicer with supports touching the build plate enabled.
The Rotated Arm and the Axis Changer require supports between the prongs on the side where they are horizontal.
See the image below for optimal print orientation.