Flexible Coolant Pipe Adapters

cults3d

My lifelong pursuit of crafting a long-lasting articulated arm design has finally reached its culmination. I frequently utilize the PCB Workstation with Articulated Arms to hold my intricate PCB projects in place. Unfortunately, all of the arms I have created using 3D-printed ball and socket joints rapidly lose their structural integrity, rendering them incapable of supporting even their own weight. I have experimented with numerous ball and socket designs as well as various filament types, yet none of these approaches yielded any lasting results. That was until I discovered flexible coolant pipe. Flexible coolant pipe is a material utilized in the metal fabrication industry to spray coolant over workpieces while machining. The pipes must be liquid-tight, resulting in a snug fit between the ball and socket. They are also crafted from a durable plastic devoid of striations that often cause 3D-printed joints to wear down prematurely. These pipes can be obtained from online marketplaces such as Ebay at an affordable price point. I procured mine for less than $1 USD each, including shipping. It is advisable to opt for the type without the valve at the bottom, as it serves no purpose. To facilitate the integration of flexible coolant pipe into my articulated arm design, I designed four custom adapters that cater to the pipes' unique characteristics. The first adapter, Base Joint Adapter, enables mounting the pipe on the base plate while removing the threaded piece from the pipe. The ball then snaps securely into the bottom socket on the pipe. The second adapter, Base Socket Adapter, also allows for mounting the pipe on the base plate but utilizes the existing threads on the pipe, resulting in a stiffer and more durable joint. The inside of the socket is threaded 1/2"-20, allowing the pipe to screw in seamlessly. In some cases, you may need to chase the threads with a bolt or tap depending on the material used and your printer's capabilities. The third adapter, Ball & Socket Adapter, snaps onto the end of the pipe after removing the nozzle. It adapts the larger ball on the pipes to the smaller ball utilized by the PCB workstation accessories. Lastly, the Ball Insert Adapter slides into the end of the pipe and features a ball designed specifically for the PCB workstation accessories. This adapter provides a more durable connection to the accessories compared to using the ball & socket adapter alone. The shaft should fit snugly within the pipe; if it starts to work loose, you can secure it with a drop of super glue. All four adapters were created in OpenSCAD, enabling users to customize them to accommodate whatever pipes they acquire. I initially tested these designs using PLA and ultimately printed the final versions with PETG for added durability.