Mini Clamp

thingiverse

Small clamp with a unique planetary gearbox mechanism ideal for demonstration or recreation purposes. This model prints in place fully assembled without supports. Printing tip: Use 0.2mm layer height if printing the default model, and ensure layer_h parameter matches your layer height if customizing. Preview the print carefully to preserve the 1-layer gap in the outer ring gears. To assemble the clamp, use a sharpened spatula or hobby knife to carefully separate the 1-layer gaps (watch for cracking sounds), then turn the knob slightly to start moving the gears. Next, manually back-drive the jaws apart by a few millimeters until you feel some backlash. Repeat this process several times to loosen up the parts. Once assembled, apply petroleum jelly or your preferred lubricant to the gears and work it in by opening and closing the clamp several times. The main upgrade in this design is an internal ridge that serves as a bearing surface, which reduces the sensitivity of the gearbox to gear clearances. This improvement allows for more tolerance in the gears and alleviates some of the shear force on the planet gears. The gear formulas are now incorporated into the design, eliminating the need for spreadsheets unless you're searching for a specific gear ratio.