ClampDock System

I wanted to extend my workspace by clamping onto the edge of my desk. But I did not want to make another screw clamp-style accessory. Nothing wrong with screw clamps, but I don’t like them. I decided early on that I wanted my design to be adjustable, modular and quick. I wanted to be able to make various accessories I could use it with. Here is what I came up with… the ClampDock.

I have always really loved storage and organizational systems and finding unused space that we can put to good use. I think I have done that with this system. I have only created a few accessories so far but I imagine that will increase over time.

The Main part of the ClampDock has a series of notches on the back and sides which mate with protrusions on the Slider (and on the accessory to be attached). All of the notches are at 3mm intervals.

Of course, the entire assembly is 3D printed, no hardware, fasteners or adhesives are required. However, I did need to use some TPU-95A parts to help improve the “grip” on the desk surface. There are two flat “grippers” (“Slide Grips”) for the top surface. These are designed to reduce slippage. There are also two grippers for the bottom (underside) surface (“Compression Grips”) which also help reduce slippage but these ones are also designed to compress. The compression allows the clamp to squeeze the table aggressively without snapping the printed parts.

Squeezing the sides of the Slider disengages the protrusions on the Slider from the notches on the Main so that it can be slid up or down the Main. Sliding it up so that it closes the gap to whatever you are clamping to position it for clamping. Then when as close as the 3mm spacing will allow, you swing the Lever down and force the clamp mechanism into operation.

The Lever pivots on the inside (underside) of the Slider, and when rotated, a cam protrusion on the end of the Lever swings vertically into the path of the compliant sections of the Slider. This creates compression of the edge you are clamping to. The Compression Grips compress under the clamping action to create a compliant grip.

When the Lever is in the vertical state (clamped), the sides of the Slider can not be depressed, effectively locking the Slider into place on the Main.

Print Settings

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height. For best results I suggest the following:

  • Material = PLA / PETG, TPU-95A for the grips.
  • Nozzle = 0.4mm
  • Layer Height = 0.2mm
  • Line Width = 0.4mm
  • Wall Count = 4 (1.6mm)
  • Top and Bottom Layer Count = 5
  • Detect Thin Walls = ON
  • Wall Generator = Arachne
  • Infill = 40% (Cubic)
  • Ironing = Not required
  • Brim = Should not be needed 
  • Support = No, all required support is incorporated into the design.
  • Print orientation = As per the STL/3MF files and the included image

Post Printing and Assembly Notes

There should be minimal post print work to do on the ClampDock other than assemble it as described below. However, a little care is required for the accessories. Firstly, depending on the accessory and how it is printed, there is a small piece of support (shown in the illustration below) which must be removed. And secondly, the ends of the protrusions that the print support assists need to be crisp and free of burrs. It is important to review the protrusions after printing to ensure they will engage the notches in the Main.

Please refer to the accompanying illustrations for the instructions.

Once the ClampDock is assembled, you can slide in or out accessories. It is best to slide the accessory in from the top of the Main and flex the Tab [C] away from the Main to allow it to slide into position. And, flex it again to remove the accessory. The one way locking actions means you can always slide accessories into the bottom of the ClampDock and stop at the desired position, and then continue sliding it up and out to remove it. However, this can take a toll on the small protrusions that create the lock positions so it is best to use the tab to remove the accessory.

Where to Get My STL Files

Thangs.com

I am now posting all of my new designs on Thangs.com and plan to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Some of my older designs may not have been migrated over yet so if they are not available on Thangs.com please check on Thingiverse.

Use, Licensing, Comments and Feedback

My primary distribution site for my design files is Thangs.com. Thangs.com is, in my opinion, leading the way in promoting designers and competition amongst designers which in turn fuels the growth of high-quality 3d printable designs for the benefit of our entire community. However, as a result, some of my designs are only available for free for 1 week from when first posted, so please download them when you see a new file available that you are interested in. Also, please like and save to help me with the competitions.

I do not permit the use of my designs for commercial purposes (i.e. you can not sell my design(s) or products printed from my design(s)) without first acquiring a commercial license from me. On Thangs.com I offer membership accounts for access to all my design files as well as a membership for commercial licensing which allows subscribers to sell printed products using my designs.

I welcome comments and feedback as we as requests for customization of designs. I will do my best to accommodate those requests.


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