60 October 2015
PRACTICAL 3D PRINTING n BY CHUCK HELLEBUYCK
PCB Workstation with Articulated Arms
One of the designs I found was a PCB Workstation
with Articulated Arms submitted by Thingiverse user
giufini. Most of the designs on Thingiverse are open source
so you are free to print and use them as you wish.
There are so many useful 3D prints in this one design.
The adjustable arms are really clever and seem to be
potentially useful for multiple different ways to hold a
probe or lead from test equipment.
This particular 3D print has many pieces to it so it will
take some time to print everything, but you can start by
building a basic unit and then add articulating arms at any
time. This is only limited by your imagination.
It takes the popular “third hand tool” that is often used
to hold objects while you solder them and gives you a
fourth, fifth, and sixth hand, and possibly more when you
are trying to debug your electronics.
Breadboard Project Box
Another design that caught my eye was the
Breadboard Project Box by Thingiverse user wgbartley.
This is similar to the large Integrated Circuit Box I created
earlier in this column series, but gets rid of the IC legs and
adds a couple battery slots. One
is an AA battery and the other
is an AAA. You also have space
for wires and components
that get stored under the small
breadboard, the same way my
design worked. I’m sure the box
can be modified to add more
batteries than just the two, and
still have some storage for parts.
I’ve shown in previous articles that with a home 3D printer, you can print many
kinds of tools for your electronics workshop. One place I like to look for ideas
is on Thingiverse.com to see what others are producing. Once in a while, I
come across 3D prints that are nothing short of creative genius. Here are a few I
recommend you check out.
3D Print Designs
for Electronic Hobbyists
i 3 p nter o
pr tic l proje s on
yo r ork e c
n FIGURE 1. PCB Workstation with Articulated Arms.
n FIGURE 2. Breadboard Project Box.
n FIGURE 3.
My Integrated Circuit Box.
