Door Handle Stopper

Description:

The Door Handle Stopper/Bumper is designed for round door handles with a diameter of 19.9mm (0.78 inches). With an outer diameter of 40mm (1.57 inches), an inner diameter of 19.4mm (0.76 inches), and a width of 15mm (0.59 inches), this stopper provides a functional solution for use with handles in tight spaces. The design is available with two different print profiles to meet varying needs for flexibility and fit.

Dimensions:

• Outer Diameter: 40mm (1.57 inches)

• Inner Diameter: 19.4mm (0.76 inches)

• Width: 15mm (0.59 inches)

Two Print Profiles Available for different use cases:

1-Wall Loop Profile:

• This version offers a more flexible and squishy design, making it more forgiving for round door handles with slightly larger or smaller diameter.

• The single wall loop increases the stopper’s softness and provides a slightly more adaptable fit. However, it is important to note that layer adhesion is key for this profile, as the reduced wall thickness may affect long-term durability.

• Time will tell how well this profile holds up in heavy use, but initial testing has shown promising results with excellent layer bonding and flexibility.

2-Wall Loop Profile:

• It is firm and durable, offering a secure fit for door handles with very little wiggle room.

• The design is best suited for round door handles with exact dimensions and ensures a snug grip due to the limited flexibility of Bambu Lab’s TPU for AMS when printed with 2-Walls

• Perfect for applications where long-term durability is the priority.

Design Features:

• Inner and Outer Ring Asymmetry: The inner and outer rings are intentionally arranged asymmetrically. This design feature allows varying the distance between the handle and the wall by simply rotating the bumper on the handle, offering flexibility depending on your needs.

• Inner Ridges for Grip: The inside of the stopper features 0.5mm (0.02 inches) ridges that compress under pressure, ensuring a snug and secure fit on the handle.

Material Recommendations:

• TPU for AMS: This design is optimized for Bambu Lab’s TPU for AMS, which delivers excellent print quality and clean results straight out of the box. However, it is essential to ensure the filament is dry before printing, as TPU is highly sensitive to moisture. With the 2-wall loop profile, the material provides a firm and durable solution, while the 1-wall loop profile offers greater softness and flexibility. Personally, I prefer the 1-wall loop profile for TPU for AMS, as it strikes a nice balance between flexibility and functionality.

• Regular TPU: When using regular TPU, the 2-wall loop profile is recommended for best results. Keep in mind that you need to adjust other settings, such as print speed and temperature, to accommodate the material. Regular TPU has the advantage of being more adaptive to a wider range of handle diameters. For a stiffer and more durable result, consider increasing the number of wall loops and boosting the infill percentage. 

• PLA: While this design can technically be printed in PLA, I would not recommend it. PLA’s rigidity and lack of flexibility make it less suitable for this stopper design. It may not perform effectively or may be prone to cracking when stressed or even damaging your door handle or furniture due to its hard nature. If you are looking for a more PLA-compatible solution, I have another design available that offers limited functionality when accepting PLA’s problems for this type of application. 

Customizable Fit:

If the diameter of your handle varies slightly, adapting the design is necessary due to the limited flexibility of the TPU material, especially for the 2-wall loop profile. Use the scale feature in the Bambu Studio slicer under the “Prepare” tab to adjust the size. The measure feature can help confirm your adjustments before printing. If you are looking for a more adaptable solution in terms of handle shape, I have an alternative design you can try. 

Personal Story behind:

I created this stopper to replace a makeshift solution involving tissue and tape to address an issue with a door handle in a tight space. It also gave me the opportunity to test Bambu Lab’s TPU for AMS, which delivered excellent print quality and durability. The asymmetrical design was a deliberate choice to provide flexibility in adjusting the space between the handle and the surrounding area. Since I liked the design, I printed it in all kinds of materials and even designed an alternative to fit on more handles. 

If you decide to print this design, feel free to share your feedback. I’m excited to see how it works for you!