XL Flex Arm - 60mm

prusaprinters

After watching a one-day build by Adam Savage I noticed that he was using some extra-large Loc-Line like tubing to hold the light panels used in recording the videos. After taking a look around, I decided to design and print my own to use in a similar purpose. Voilà, the 60mm version! Overall length is 60mm (just under 2-3/8") with an internal diameter of 16mm (just over 1/2") This remix is made to make a large flex tube while minimizing the material used. Using a 0.4mm nozzle, each of the tube sections can be printed in 4 passes. In my case, using a Prusa i3 MK3, that lead to being able to print 30 at once, using less thank 1/4 of a 1kg roll, and it only taking 24 hours. It can be used for liquids (I tested it), but there will be small leaks from some of the joints bent near their extremes. If you do want it to carry liquid and never leak, there is more than enough room inside to thread in a small flexible tubing. Included is the STEP file to make your own. I'll be designing mounting for other things shortly. WIP. EDIT: 08/14/2020 - Just added CAD Files and a few mounting options, go hog wild! For assembly... Putting these together is tough. How I did it was by inserting the head of one piece into the cup of the other at an angle. That angle should align the opening at the head of the tube to be inserted so that it's just inside the lip of the cup, otherwise when inserted the opening will catch the lip of the cup. From there, firmly grasp each piece and squeeze them together. I found it helpful to wear abrasion resistant gloves and use my thighs as an impromptu vice to assist with the assembly. If you're having a lot of difficulty, try slightly chamfering the interior edge of the cup using a hobby knife or a deburring tool. I found that if I did this it had slightly less grip on the final joint, but assembly was much easier. Print instructionsPrint it with a stiff filament (PETG or ABS). Nylon would be fun to try though.