Unbreakable Bar Clamp (retrofittable) by mikepcw

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

Has the bar clamp on your Reprap snapped due to overtightening?
Stop super-gluing it... replace it with this new, retrofittable bar clamp that doesn't require you to unthread all the nuts/washers/pulleys!
(you should replace all 4 clamps, or you might have a hard time levelling out your bed)
If used in the construction of new Repraps, you won't need to pre-thread the nuts/washers/old bar clamps onto the threaded rod... saving you time ;)
Instructions (pretty self evident! but a few tips...):
Push the smooth rod through the hole first.
Install one end (it should hold without tightening down) and wiggle the other end to get the distance right.
If you have a hard time pushing the smooth rod through, spread the U-shaped clevis a bit (see details below).
Technical details:
Nut trap is intended to house a standard M3 nut.
When printed in the correct orientation the layer ridges should lock against the threads when the clevis is tightened, and prevent sliding along the threaded rod.
The through-hole for the smooth 8mm rod is intentionally misaligned by 4 deg when printed (see drawing). This enables the clamp to pinch and friction lock against the smooth rod when tightened.