Print your own parts for a DIY build - Revision history

Alexis-outside: /* What it is: */

2026-06-23T20:15:09Z

What it is:

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 23 June 2026
Line 37:		Line 37:
	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===

	== ~~capstan~~ ==		== Capstan ==

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	~~This~~ is the ~~main part~~		The capstan is a round drum that the string wraps around. Rotate the capstan, the string changes position, and the spine bends

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	~~This is the main part~~		Standard PETG settings, 15% sparse infill, no support
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.14.32 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		1 hour

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== spine ==		== spine ==

Alexis-outside: /* capstan cap */

2026-06-23T20:12:49Z

capstan cap

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 23 June 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:
	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	This needs to be strong -- it's one of two parts that experiences significant mechanical force, so print at 50% sparse infill density. Enable supports for this part.		This needs to be strong -- it's one of two parts that experiences significant mechanical force, so print at 50% sparse infill density. Enable supports for this part.
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 3.57.22 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]
			☢

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
Line 28:		Line 30:
	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	This is the other part that experiences mechanical stress, so print at 50% infill density. No support needed.		This is the other part that experiences mechanical stress, so print at 50% infill density. No support needed.
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.00.35 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
			1 hour 49 mins

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== capstan ==		== capstan ==
Line 66:		Line 70:

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the ~~main part~~		This goes on the other side of the PVC pipe and acts like a nut that threads over the spine. Spin the tensioning cap, and the spine moves in and out of the pipe, letting you stash it for travel or quickly extend and tension it for use.

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	~~This is~~ the ~~main part~~		Standard PETG print settings. Print with the handle on the bottom, no support, 15% sparse infill
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.04.40 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]
			☢

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		1 hour

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== ~~endoscope top cap~~ ==		== Endoscope Top Cap ==

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the ~~main~~ part		This is a small part that bolts on to the tip of the spine and holds the camera. There is another part, the Swing Arm, which can pivot about one of the bolts and clamp firmly onto the barrel, clamping it against the top cap and preventing it from rotating or sliding.

			=== Print Settings ===
			Standard PETG settings, no support, 15% sparse infill. Be sure to print flat-side down
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.07.17 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]

			=== Print Time ===
			18 mins

			== Swing Arm ==

			=== What it is: ===
			This is a small, pivoting arm that clamps the camera against the top cap part.

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	~~This is~~ the ~~main part~~		Standard PETG settings, no support, 15% sparse infill. Be sure to get the flat side down.
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.09.52 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]
			☢

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		8 mins

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== ~~key~~ ==		== Key ==

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the ~~main part~~		This is a small part that glues into one end of the PVC pipe and keeps the spine from rotating inside the pipe

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	~~This is~~ the ~~main part~~		Standard PETG settings, keep the flat side down
			[[File:Screenshot 2026-06-23 at 4.12.16 PM.png\|none\|thumb]]
			☢

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		2 mins

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

151.240.45.99: /* capstan handle */

2026-06-23T20:00:50Z

capstan handle

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 23 June 2026
Line 12:		Line 12:

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the ~~main part~~		This is the handle that you use to bend the spine back and forth -- it attaches to the capstan.

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	This ~~is the main~~ part		This needs to be strong -- it's one of two parts that experiences significant mechanical force, so print at 50% sparse infill density. Enable supports for this part.

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		1 hour 22 minutes

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== capstan cap ==		== capstan cap ==

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the ~~main~~ part		This is the part that slides over the PVC pipe and acts as an axle holder for the capstan. Also supports the phone mount.

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	This is the ~~main~~ part		This is the other part that experiences mechanical stress, so print at 50% infill density. No support needed.

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	This is the main part		This is the main part

151.240.45.65 at 19:56, 23 June 2026

2026-06-23T19:56:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 23 June 2026
Line 54:		Line 54:

	=== What it is: ===		=== What it is: ===
	This is the main flexing part for the camera. It acts like a spine -- it has rigid 'vertebra' and living hinge 'discs' which allow it to flex		This is the main flexing part for the camera. It acts like a spine -- it has rigid 'vertebra' and living hinge 'discs' which allow it to flex up to 90 degrees. There are channels for the cable to run through, and a center channel for the camera to pass through it. The Endcap bolts onto the end and holds the camera in place, and the whole outside threads into the Tensioning Cap, which lets you stash it safely in the pipe for travel, or bring it out and tension it for use.

	=== Print Settings ===		=== Print Settings ===
	Print without support, flat edge on the print bed, as shown in the screencap below:		Print without support, flat edge on the print bed, as shown in the screencap below. Depending on the size of your print bed, you may need to rotate it by 45 degrees so that it fits on the bed.[[File:Spine.png\|thumb\|none]]
			Print temperature is super important for the flexibility of the living hinge. The first layer can be whatever you want for adhesion, but I strongly recommend keeping the print temp as close to 240C as you can get away with (some extruder/filament combos want a bit higher temp). I've found that the living hinge becomes much more flexible, but weaker, at higher print temps. 260C is very flexible but very fragile, and for day-to-day use, I really recommend you get a sturdier spine, by keeping your print head at 240C.

	~~== Spine ==~~		Most of this print is pretty slim, so I don't worry about infill -- I print at 2 wall loops, 4 top shells, 3 bottom shells, and 15% sparse infill

	~~=== What it~~ is~~: ===~~
	~~This is the main part~~
	~~[[File:Spine.png\|thumb]]~~
	~~Print temperature is super important for the flexibility of the living hinge. The first layer can be whatever you want for adhesion~~, ~~but I strongly recommend keeping the print temp as close to 240C as you can get away with (some extruder/filament combos want a bit higher temp).~~ I'~~ve found that the living hinge becomes much more flexible, but weaker, at higher print temps. 260C is very flexible but very fragile, and for day~~-to-~~day use,~~ I ~~really recommend you get a sturdier spine, by keeping your~~ print ~~head~~ at ~~240C.~~

	=== Print Time ===		=== Print Time ===
	~~This is the main part~~		About 5 hours on my flashforge Adventure.

	=== Print File ===		=== Print File ===
	~~This is the main part~~

	== tensioning cap ==		== tensioning cap ==

Alexis-outside at 17:03, 23 June 2026

2026-06-23T17:03:10Z

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == capstan handle ==
 == capstan cap ==
 == capstan ==
 == spine ==
 == tensioning cap ==
 == endoscope top cap ==
 == key ==

Alexis-outside: initial page

2026-06-23T16:51:27Z

initial page

New page

This is the manufacturing doc for printing your parts entirely from scratch. You will need:

* A standard FDM printer with at least a 220mm x 220mm print bed
* PETG filament -- a full set takes 330g of filament
* Time -- on the lab printers (flashforge Adventure 5m and Qidi pro), it takes ~12.5 print hours to do everything
* 12 M4 heat-set inserts and a soldering iron or heat-set tool

The print settings for each part is detailed below. Please pay extra attention to the part orientation, support requirements, and fill settings

== capstan handle ==

== capstan cap ==

== capstan ==

== spine ==

== tensioning cap ==

== endoscope top cap ==

== key ==