Logitech C500 Tripod Adapter

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I pulled out an old Logitech C500 to pair with OctoPrint. An outdated gem, the Logitech C500 still packs decent specs, but there was no good way to attach it to anything. I designed this compact adapter to allow this webcam to clip onto a standard camera tripod. As I tend to avoid threading into plastic, this design uses a captured hex nut for durability. There's 1/16" of material below the hex nut to ensure sufficient strength during use. The geometry of the inset for the hex nut has very tight tolerances, particularly regarding the height of the hex nut. These tolerances are due to wanting the first layer above the hex nut to print onto it. There's a relief above the hex nut for the screw threads, allowing a total thread depth of about 0.330" (1.5x the thickness of the hex nut). This relief has a domed top to allow the print to be finished without support. The outer surface of the adapter is also knurled to make easy gripping possible. Instructions Ensure that generating support is disabled in your slicer. Configure the slicer to pause the print at the top of the inset for the hex nut. Using a layer height of 0.2mm I got the best results by pausing on layer 34. Note that while it's likely possible to get good results using other layer heights, the depth of hex inset is designed for a 0.2mm layer height. Prepare the print bed according to your preferences. Prepare the hex nut by applying adhesion promoter to one surface. Thread a 1/4 - 20 bolt or screw into the nut from the side the adhesion promoter has been applied to until the tip of the screw is even with the opposite side of the nut. Begin the print. I got the best results by placing the nut on the heated print bed, the side without adhesion promoter down. When the print pauses, move the print head out of the way. Carefully pick up the bolt or machine screw (WARNING: may be hot) and insert the hex nut into the hexagonal inset in the adapter. Make sure to seat the hex nut against the bottom of the inset. This is a relatively snug fit, so some pressure may be needed to seat the hex nut in the inset. Unthread the machine screw and remove it. A number of factors related to this operation will impact the quality of the finished print, but by far the largest is how long it takes to complete this operation. I got the best results by doing this as quickly as possible. Resume the print. Once the print has been completed, wait for everything to cool down and remove the print from the print bed and post-process as desired. Snap the adapter into the bottom of the webcam, and it can now be mounted to any standard camera tripod!