Gravity locked, print in place, vertical hinge by SigmaT4

SigmaT4

Hobby & DIY>Other Hobby & DIY

IP Report

GIF

Print Profile(4)

All

P1S

P1P

X1 Carbon

X1E

A1 mini

Adaptative layer, normal supports

Designer

3.4 h

1 plate

4.3(3)

Very strong version with tighter tolerances (Deprecated)

Designer

3.9 h

1 plate

5.0(1)

60 % scaled down version Strong profile (tight tolerances)

Designer

2 h

1 plate

Very strong version with tighter tolerances V2

Designer

4 h

1 plate

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

1490

2220

151

375

Released

Description

EDIT 2025/03/02 : Thanks to @DrLambda that helped with numerical analysis, the designed has been optimized for more stiffness.

The original “Very strong” profile has been deleted as this one is better

EDIT 2025/02/13 : I've added a stronger version with tighter tolerances. (=> “Very strong version” print profile)

Hi !

I loved making this first print in place hinge and wondered what could the second version bring.

=> Gravity lock !

Concept :

This hinge is perfect for extending a table.

Once the hinge is in its contracted position, the geometry of the linkages locks the hinge in this position.

Once in this position, gravity keeps the hinge locked.

For the moment, the hinge sags a bit but I'm working on this.

I made a tool to help marking the holes at the right position, you can find it here.

Slicing :

If you don't want to use my 3MF, don't forget to :

us adaptative layering,
use normal, snug, on build plate, supports

Printing :

Please calibrate your extrusion flow multiplier as printing in place demands a well calibrated printer.

Post-printing :

Remove the external supports
Firmly hold each part and separate them to break the system loose.
It can be a little hard to break. Don't be shy and use all force needed.
Once you broke the system loose, there is 3 little internal supports to remove. (They should break once you play a little with the hinge)

Installing the hinge :

Use the tool to mark the position of the holes. Drill the hole to help guide the screw

First install the hinge on the “mobile” side. A hole allow the screwdriver to reach the screw

Then screw the other part to the fixed part of your furniture. You might need a second pair of hand.

print in place

Hinge

Comment & Rating (61)

@rodri46526

Boosted

just finished printing in carbon fiber pla let’s see how it does

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

Niice ! Thank you for the picture ! Did you print the stronger version ? I have an A1 too but I thought that PLA-CF was not possible without enclosure !

@SigmaT4

Replying to @SigmaT4 :

It looks like you have a bit of over extrusion. I hope that the mechanism won't get stuck

@rodri46526

Boosted

Replying to @SigmaT4 :

I printed version 2 on tha a1 mini but as long as the filament is dry it works but I do have some adhesion problems from time to time, I have to make sure the plate is super clean. I’ve been meaning to try and use some glue and see if that works.

@ThisGuyHere

Boosted

just because i see there is a lot of thought and work behind this. please never stop creating!

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

Thank you ! :)

@fmod

Boosted

this is just WOW! love the ingenuity, execution and clear documentation - and i don't say that easily. have not printed it yet but have my boost, well deserved! KUDOS!

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

Thank you ! :)

@SigmaT4

Replying to @user_1282196187 :

Wtf ?

@user_2299645129

can you adjust the angles so that the table doesn’t lean down?

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

I'm working on a version with tighter tolerances and with more walls. I could also "cheat" and pre-compensate the bending...

@MoitieRosbif

Replying to @SigmaT4 :

Thats not cheating, thats just good engineering!

@user_1597274047

could also consider an adjustment of sorts via set screw or other method, so that you are not relying on tolerances which may vary machine to machine. Great design btw! love it

(Edited)

@oldchiefphil

I need a smaller version of this. 60% size would be ideal. But scaling down the model leads to the problem, that it has no tolerance and is completeley fused togehter. Would you be able to provide different scale models?

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

You are right, scaling an object does not respect tolerances. I will publish a print profile at 60% scale asap.

@oldchiefphil

Replying to @SigmaT4 :

Really? That would be awesome. If you like you can send the files to me for testprinting, so you don't have to do the work all by yourself

@user_317219726

hey 👋! just an idea! if you add two latches as extra pieces, one to be bolted into each piece, once the table is in position, you can use them to lock it securely in place and give it more stability

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

Hey ! That would be a practical solution I agree. But I think that deploying manually an extra support, or locking a latch, would be less "magical" lol.

@us3r_3100881697

Print Profile

Adaptative layer, normal supports

Support Issue:it is really hard to make it move indeed

@SigmaT4

That is the downside of printing in place... Go to bambu studio>Calibration>Extrusion flow

@SigmaT4

Did you manage to make it work ?

@user_206859321

Boosted

boosted twice and I didn’t print, the hard work behind this is insane I will print this soon I just know I’m going to need this one day

The designer has replied

@SigmaT4

Thank you very much 😊

@Denis_v1.0_beta

Boosted

I have zero need for this, but I soooo want to print it just because it's cool! Brilliant design and engineering deserves reward, so have my boost for that reason alone.