Modular Mounting System Arm Library and Customizer

thingiverse

These two SCAD files provide a library and a customizer to make arms and connectors of just about any kind for the Modular Mounting System. The project came about because I could not find pieces of the exact lengths and types I needed. I looked at 6d6178's arm customizer over on Printables, but the dependence on Onshape is an inconvenience for those of us who use OpenSCAD, and limits the amount of customization that can be done. All of the logic for producing arms and connectors is contained in a library that may be incorporated into your OpenSCAD designs by adding the line: `include<Modular_Mounting_System_Arm.scad>` to your design file. There are two main functions exposed: MMSArm() - generates an arm with the length and features that you specify. All of the arguments are explained in the comment header, and all arguments default to safe or useful values. MMSConnector() - generates just a conector of either gender, with the orientation specified in the function arguments. Again, see the .scad file for details. And two global variables: MMSArmThickness - cross section thickness of any arm or connector MMSConnLength - total length of a male or female connector The file Modular_Mounting_System_Arm_Configurable.scad serves as an example and a local customizer for creating arms. Special features: ---------------------- * Arms may be generated in any length * Connectors on each end may be of either gender * Connectors may be offset at any angle from the arm * Connectors may be rotated in 90 degree steps. This allows vertical or horizontal male connectors, and allows the screw head blob to be placed in any orientation * The attractive contour cuts may be included or omitted * Assembly screws can be M3, M4 or M5 (default is M5 per the original) * A "tunnel" can be added to accommodate wires for lamps, etc. The customizer has a non-printing cutaway view option so you can see how the tunnel runs thru the arm. * A third, "tee" connector can be added in the middle of the arm and can be rotated to the desired orientation. This allows making "Y" arms of any desired dimensions. Update June 28, 2023: * The third connector can now be placed anywhere along the arm * The third connector can now be either in the same plane or perpendicular to the end connectors. * Connectors can be generated without the angle guide base. This decreases the connector length by 25% and sometimes works out better when attaching a connector to your design. * UI elements have been added to the configurator to support the new features above. * A ruler has been added to the configurator preview options to assist in setting feature dimensions. You will need to download the .scad files and run the customizer in OpenSCAD, as the online customizer doesn't seem to handle code with includes in it. The new ruler feature requires that you also obtain the `ruler.scad` library, available on Thingiverse [here:](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30769) All of the parts should print without any special settings, and can be quite strong even when made in PLA. The strength and flexibility can be controlled via wall thickness and infill type and density in your slicer. Everything prints nicely at 0.2 resolution. Supports are only needed if any of the connectors are oriented horizontally. (The default, 0 degree orientation puts both connectors vertical so that supports aren't needed.) For greatest strength, print the arms laying down parallel to the bed, Drop me a comment if there are any other features you'd like to see added!