Knob with Enclosed Hex Screw - 1/4 Inch and M6 Metric

A simple knob with an embedded hex screw.
1h 44m
2× print file
0.20 mm
0.40 mm
19.00 g
22
103
0
888
updated May 4, 2022

Description

PDF

[Note : If you use OctoPrint, see special note below.]

This print will create a knob with an embedded ¼" X 1" or M6 x 25mm hex bolt. Bolts of different length can be used with a simple modification explained below.

This print is the result of a discussion in this group :

3D Printing for Metal Hobbyists

The discussion was about methods for printing a knob with a fully enclosed hex head screw. Typically knobs of this type use a hex bolt or nut which is inserted in the completed print, as shown in the reference re-mix (this print is not really a re-mix, but I included the reference as an alternative method).

The goal was to design a print which would fully enclose the head of the hex bolt, and would work for hex bolts of different lengths. In the ideal case, this would be done without support material, or at least minimal support material (my solution). 

My method was to 

  • create a knob design with an internal hexagonal pocket 
  • print until the pocket is fully formed, then pause the print
  • insert the hex bolt into the pocket
  • resume printing and complete the print

Since the hex bolt will protrude downward through the knob, it is necessary to somehow “raise” the print above the print bed to allowance clearance for the bolt thread.  See the print instructions below on how this is done.

 

Note for OctoPrint Users

For the pause instruction to work properly when you are using OctoPrint, you must make the following configuration additions [go to Settings and select GCode Scripts]:

  • M601 in After print job is paused
  • M602 in Before print job is resumed

See here for more details :

https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware/issues/3148

 

Print Instructions

Print in PETG using the provided 3mf or gcode files. Note that your printer must accept the pause command. After starting the print, wait for the print to pause, then insert the bolt and restart the print.

Before printing, the knob must “raised” above the print bed as follows :

  • Using the “Add part” option in PrisaSlicer, create a small cylindrical part
  • Add Infill and Layers and perimeters settings to the cylinder and change all settings to zero so that the cylinder will not print
  • Center the part in the hole in the bottom of the knob
  • Use Paint-on-supports to  add support enforcers to the bottom of the knob (flat part only). 
  • Adjust the Z position of the part to move it just below the bed
  • Merge the part with the knob
  • Use the “Drop to bed” position option to place the merged parts on top of the bed
  • Select Supports : For support enforcers only

The cylindrical part should have the same diameter as the hole for the screw threads. Adjust the height of the cylinder to be the length of the screw.

The following Support material settings should be modified :

  • Style : Snug
  • Pattern angle : 90
  • Interface pattern spacing : 0.6

 

CAD

The OnShape 3D CAD files for this are here :

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/338cab86041df567373c75f2/w/5a5a1c35b9191efd3db37149/e/4a8c2a9b3898882b06e55ced

 

Model origin

The author remixed this model.

License