Tape Gun Plastic Attachment

thingiverse

This is a replacement part for an inexpensive tape gun. Eventually, the clear plastic component breaks and becomes more difficult to use. I decided it would be possible to create a replacement and possibly improve on the design for increased longevity of the part. During testing, it was discovered that the original thickness was too thin for PLA. It flexed nicely but wasn't particularly effective for longevity's sake. I increased the thickness and created a "medium" and "extra thick" version. And unbelievably, the extra thick version broke even faster somehow. I'm starting to think PLA is probably a poor choice for this part, but it's all I have available right now. To further combat where cracking occurs, I've designed a box where you actually have to worry about how much infill to use now. I'm getting some PETG to try out so if that works out better I may add to this a bit more. Preliminary tests with the "big chungus" version have proven somewhat favorable, but I may need to slim down the box since it seems to get in the way a bit when cutting the tape. I may also revamp the slope a bit. July 2019 Edit: So I got the PETG to print properly and I tried it out. The thinnest one is still too thin, the thickest one also somehow breaks easily and the medium one is the only one that has, so far, lasted more than a week in use. I think a redesign is in order to fortify the middle while still allowing the top to flex. I'll work on that in the coming weeks as I have time (and I'll edit out this text to denote that the update is in place).