In an earlier post, I created Arca compatible jaws for a vise. Refer to Arca Vise Jaws. In order to use the vise for some non-arca applications as well, at least without reverting back to the standard jaws, I wanted to create some jaw covers.
The Design
The general concept is for the jaws to slip on, to quickly switch back and forth between arca and non-arca usage.
I wanted a large overhang on the top section so that magnets could be glued on the bottom.
A CAD model was designed in SolveSpace.
The design is straightforward. Here are the profile dimensions.
Then extrude to the width of the jaws.
You can find the design at Thingiverse.
3D Printing
TPU was selected so that jaws are soft/flexible. I used Hatchbox TPU filament.
This was my first time printing TPU. In researching the best settings to use for 3D printing, there is signficant variation amongst users. Here are the key settings what worked for me. Note that I’m using Cura.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Section: Quality | |
| Layer Height | 0.3 mm |
| Initial Layer Height | 0.3 mm |
| Section: Infill | |
| Infill Density | 20 % |
| Section: Material | |
| Temperature | 220 C |
| Bed Temperature | 55 C |
| Enable Retraction | On |
| Retraction Distance | 1 mm |
| Retraction Speed | 60 mm/s |
| Section: Speed | |
| Print Speed | 15 mm/s |
| Travel Speed | 150 mm/s |
| Initial Layer Speed | 15 mm/s |
| Section: Build Plate Adhesion | |
| Build Plate Adhesion Type | Skirt |
One of the major changes relative to PLA is slowing the print speed down dramatically.
This ended up printing well, with very little stringing.
