Modular Mounting System by HeyVye

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

This project is a mounting system for lightweight objects such as phones and small cameras. The joint is compatible with GoPro mount.
Phone clamp assembly video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6nm0oOSpfQ
If you find this design helpful, consider to support my work. Thanks in advance.
UPDATE [2020-11-15]:
- Updated holder for phone clamp so it can swap orientation.
UPDATE [2020-11-18]:
- New M5 knobs. More tolerance on Phone clamp.
- Be sure to read the description before ask questions in comment area.
FEATURES:
It is designed to be modular to provide flexible use. The system has potential to mount most phones and small cameras onto a wide range of objects. Using same parts printed for different purpose is the major approach.
The included phone clamp can grab phones very firmly. And it is suitable for phones from about 55mm wide to 95mm wide (iPhone 4 - iPhone 12 Pro Max and bigger). The clamp hook was angled so it won't be able to reach and accidentally press the buttons on the side of phone.
The modules can be used with GoPro compatible equipment. The bolts and nuts included in the design are standard M5. It's hightly recommended to use metal bolts and nuts for the arm. There is also a printable version if anyone is interested to try out.
With this modular system, I will be developing new add-ons to it. Feel free to watch this thing. Many of the objects designed for GoPro are already usable for this setup. If anyone wants to make remix, STEP files are available here.
ACHIEVED APPLICATIONS:
Phone/Camera/GoPro mount
Desk clamp for phone/camera.
Stand for phone.
Headphone stand.
And much more applications in REMIX section of original page.
MAKING:
It is highly recommended to print with complete support interface for the parts in this project. Support interface would give a flat bottom which result in a better mechanical performance.
The orientation of stl files are already thought through during my testing. Try printing at the current orientation unless you run into problems. It is not recommended to reorient the arms to save support material. The tabs will be easy to break if printed otherwise.
The bolt is oriented horizontally for optimised strength. Bottom teeth is trimmed off for printing easily. It acts very similar to a full thread. Only the phone clamp bolt (M5x65) is recommended to use printed version. All the bolts for arms should be metal if possible.
NOTES:
It is not recommended to extend the arm too long. General filament is not strong enough to take that much lateral load at this size and the arm would be very wobbly. And the arms are optimized to stay still. If you wish to use this design as selfie stick or similar purpose, please be careful with the material strength and use at you own risk.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The joints are inspired by GoPro design.
The foldable arm is inspired by "GoPro counter balance folding stick. by UltiArjan" (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:433378).
Bolts and nuts are created with the awesome customizer "NUT JOB | Nut, Bolt, Washer and Threaded Rod Factory by mike_mattala" (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:193647).
The desk clamp is inspired by "G-Clamp fully printable by johann517" (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1673030).
Thank you all for your great work so that I could accomplish this project.
USEFUL PARTS
MOUNT BASES:
Tripod style base, good for small printers: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2767323
Car vent: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2986184
2020 Extrusion / screw to surface: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2921676
3030 Extrusion: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2944380
Tripod mount: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:81333
Small clamp: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3345336
Bike bracket: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3363182
Zip tie bike mount: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2266715
Bolted bike mount: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2391390
Airplane seat: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3368094
CR10: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2753828
Taz-6: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2750852
Flashforge Finder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2660921
Mount phone clamp on tripod: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2790283
Xbox One S controller: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2774549
Xbox 360 wired controller: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2553504
Xbox 360 wireless controller: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2794805
Sony PS3 controller: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2733267
OBJECT MOUNT:
Raspberry Pi camera: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2931401
Raspberry Pi night vision camera: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2657307
Raspberry Pi Zero W case and camera: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2504847
Elongated iPad Mini mount: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2482559
Multimeter: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2959706
OTHER TYPES CONNECTIONS:
3 DOF axis changer: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2358873
Ball joint: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2243294
Prong Gender Adapters: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2949373
14mm PVC pipe adapter: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2949373
OTHER KNOBS:
Long knob: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:163883
Short knob: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:537647
UPDATE HISTORY
22/03/17 - The phone clamp knob originally uploaded has issue of screw poping out of knob instead of knob pulling the clamp out. A new knob named "M5 knob for phone v2 tighter" with smaller hole is uploaded for the socket to firmly grab the bolt. "Phone clamp down nongrab" is an old backup version which the clamp doesn't pull out while unscrewing the knob.
02/04/17 - More variation of arms. Added more tolerance to the arms.
13/04/17 - A holder that grabs the phone clamp less tight. (Phone clamp holder v2)
20/04/17 - After a period of use, the printed bolts or nuts start to give up, especially the nuts, not able to lock the arms in place. They are more like a temporary solution. I would buy metal bolts to replace them.
24/04/17 - New version of the knob for phone clamp. More convenient to twist. Smaller diameter. (M5 knob for phone v3)
26/04/17 - New version of the knob for the joints with smaller diameter. The long knob is no longer needed. (M5 knob short v3)
09/05/17 - Longer M5x65 bolt for wide phones larger than 5.5 inch. (M5x65_D)
18/05/17 - Mount for lightweight cameras. (Camera Mount & Camera Screw)
18/05/17 - Moved the position of the nut in phone clamp, making it extend 10mm longer with M5x65 bolt. (Phone clamp down v3)
18/05/17 - Slightly more tolerance to holes for bolt. Minor change.
04/06/17 - New version of the knobs with better grip. (M5 knob short v4, M5 knob for phone v4)
31/08/17 - New C clamp with the same width as the arms, not requiring support.
14/02/18 - 4mm thicker phone clamp for phones with case. (Phone_clamp_down_4mm_thicker, Phone_clamp_up_4mm_thicker)
25/04/18 - Headphone stand attachment. (headphone holder.stl)
27/07/19 - V5 major update. Better aesthetics, better tolerance. Stronger C-Clamps.
20/03/20 - Rotating Holder removed. Not reliable enough in long term.
19/10/20 - M5 bolts updated. Thread made deeper. Less likely to strip.
10/10/20 - The phone clamp is updated with a better knob with no chance of bolt popping out. New printed bolt without support and threaded knobs.
15/10/20 - Updated holder for phone clamp so it can swap orientation.
18/10/20 - New M5 knobs. More tolerance on Phone clamp.