ADAPTUS 3D-Clamp (Strength Edition) - большой и точный мягкий зажим для 3D-печатных деталей

ADAPTUS 3D-Clamp is a big workshop-ready 3D printable C-clamp designed for the 3D printing workflow, especially when you need a gentle, controlled hold on sensitive polymer parts during long curing adhesives (e.g., epoxy resin).

This Strength Edition is the fixed / non-extendable version: one solid frame geometry focused on rigidity and reliable force transfer.

Why it’s different

• Precise tightening control: the thread is intentionally thicker and has more grooves, so it tightens slower and gives finer control, helping prevent crushing delicate printed parts.
• Soft gripping system: includes multiple rubber pad options and a Tri-Layer top pad concept to protect parts and improve pressure smoothness.
• DFMA-minded: modeled threads, calibrated clearances, and stress-reducing radii for practical FDM printing and assembly.

Files included (OBJ)

• Full fixed clamp / frame
• Press shaft + rotating pressure foot
• Top pad (Tri-Layer concept)
• Bottom pads (3 options): 1) Large (softer) – more air volume → more compliant 2) Simple / thin (stiffer) – less air volume → more rigid contact 3) Mixed (dual-layer) – balanced feel between soft + stable

Extendable / adjustable ADAPTUS edition is currently in development and will be released later as a separate upgrade.

Recommended materials

• Frame/structure: PETG (recommended) or PLA+
• Pads: TPU (recommended 95A, or softer if you want more compliance)

Print settings (starter baseline)

• Layer height: 0.20 mm
• Perimeters (frame): 3–6
• Infill (frame): 15–50% (Gyroid/Cubic) (it depends on the rigidity+resistance you want)
• Print the shaft vertically for cleaner threads
• Enable supports (minimal supports needed on the C-Clamp)

Rubber Pads – How to Manufacture / Tune (IMPORTANT)

Pads are provided as OBJ, not pre-tuned in a 3MF profile. This is intentional: you can customize the “rubber feel” per your TPU and slicer.

TPU infill tuning (general guideline)

Because TPU brands and infill patterns behave differently, treat these as starting points:

• Very soft / high compliance: 0–5% infill
• Medium: 6–10% infill
• Firm: 12–15% infill (already quite rigid for TPU)

Infill pattern matters a lot. Gyroid/cubic tends to feel smoother; rectilinear/lines can feel stiffer. Test 1 pad first and adjust.

Bottom Pad Options (3x)

1) Large (more air / softer):
- Best for delicate parts or uneven surfaces
- Start around 0–8% infill TPU

2) Simple / Thin (less air / stiffer):
- Best when you need stability and less compression
- Start around 8–15% infill TPU

3) Mixed (dual-layer / balanced):
- Best “all-rounder” pad
- Start around 5–12% infill TPU

Top Pad – Tri-Layer Concept (configured in the slicer)

The top pad is designed to support a Tri-Layer stiffness setup:
- Layer A (base, near the clamp): more rigid for structural support
- Layer B (middle): transitional damping
- Layer C (contact surface): softer to protect the part

How to do it (generic slicer method)

Use modifier blocks / rectangles (or “Height range modifiers”) to set different infill settings at different Z-heights:

Example profile (base → contact surface):
- Bottom zone (near clamp): 12–15% infill, Gyroid/Cubic
- Middle zone: 6–10% infill, Gyroid
- Top zone (touching the part): 0–5% infill, Gyroid/Lines (softer feel)

You can also change infill type per zone if your slicer supports it.
The idea is: reduce infill (and optionally “soften” the infill style) from layer to layer to achieve a controlled “progressive cushioning” effect.

Practical note

TPU varies massively. If it feels too soft, raise infill or switch to a stiffer pattern. If it marks parts, reduce infill on the contact zone or use a softer TPU.

Intended use notes

• Designed for controlled clamping of polymer parts (3D prints, small assemblies, workshop tasks) but may also work for woodworking
• Final strength depends on material choice, print settings, print quality, and user application