Clamp for 12mm linear rail compression type

thingiverse

This is a set of clamps for 12mm linear rod based on my version that clamped the rod by a single M4 bolt in an injection nut. This version uses clamping like the original aluminium clamp, ensuring more even clamping of the 12mm rod which distributes the clamping force across more of the rod. It uses an M4 nut inserted from the top of the clamp into a nut trap. The mounting holes are sized for M4 bolts. The following clamps in this thing: simple clamp circular with mount holes, simple clamp with slotted mount holes, clamp with Opto-endstop mount with circular mount holes (needs injection nuts for opto), and clamp with Opto-endstop mount with slotted mount holes (needs injection nuts for opto). The OpenSCAD source can generate the above clamps as well as the insert-based ones depending on how the function is called. NOTE: After printing and using a few more of these, it appears that I made a compromise in the position of the pinch nut which is a little too close to the slot, resulting in a potential weakness. I placed the nut slot in its current position to allow bolt adjustment on the optical endstop version without conflicting with the brass injection nut used to hold the opto-endstop board. I only had 5mm long inserts; however, I have some 3mm ones coming and since thicker is better, I will update all of these to a stronger version. It might take me a few days to get the update done as I've got a bad shoulder injury that I'm waiting for surgery on which aggravates computer work. In the meantime, if you print in ABS, suggest a few drops of acetone from a syringe in the area pressed by the nut when tightened to help bond the layers better and don't over-tighten the pinch bolt. Print Settings: Printer Brand: RepRap; Printer: Prusa i3; Rafts: Doesn't Matter; Supports: Yes; Resolution: 0.2mm layers; Notes: Only support from bed is needed, and this is only needed on the opto-endstop mount ones.