Thermos 18oz Hydration Bottle Grip Retainer

prusaprinters

<p>I have a few of the Thermos 18 ounce hydration bottles and the one big gripe I have with it is that the silicone grip keeps sliding up. On the newer ones I think they tried to glue it in place.</p><p>These models are for printing a retaining ring that grips the steel bottle around the built-in ribs and keeps the silicone from sliding off. There is a recess in one end of the retainer for the silicone grip to fit into.</p><p>The rings are held in place using a single M3 x 12mm screw which threads into the plastic. (A 4-40 will probably also work although I haven't tested it.) There is an installation orientation: The side with the thin edge goes towards the grip sleeve.</p><p><strong>Versions:</strong></p><p>FLEX: The flex versions are for printing in a flexible material like TPU. They stretch over the ribs and stay in place without any adhesives or hardware.&nbsp;</p><p>UPPER: &nbsp;The upper ring is installed near the top of the bottle. All you really need is one of the upper rings.</p><p>LOWER: The lower piece is optional and if you do use it you have to cut about 0.1" off of each end of the stock silicone grip or it won't fit between the two retainers.&nbsp;</p><p>LOOP: The loop can fit some small carabiners but I don't know how strong it really is and haven't tested it.</p><p>KNURLED or SMOOTH versions for each of the above.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Printing:&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The .stl files should load into the slicer in the correct print orientation, which is the side with the widest edge down on the print surface. No supports needed. I recommend turning off COMBING or the printer will spend a lot of time needlessly moving around the outside of the part. Standard infill is fine but you can set it to 100% and it doesn't add much to print time. Set Z seam to sharpest corner to hide it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>