Binocular Tripod Clamp Adapter (Parametric)

A hinged split ring clamp designed for binoculars that lack a built-in tripod adapter to be mounted on a standard Arca-Swiss tripod. Uses a draw latch for quick, study, and toolless clamping and release. Great for birding and astronomy. Of course, this can be used for other applications but I originally made these for my Nikon Prostaff P3 8x30s.

NOTE: Please make sure you've printed and assembled the model adequately to securely hold your binoculars. I have yet to perform extensive tests, so please use at your own risk.

Uses threaded inserts to mount the latch, and a long M3 screw for the clamp peg. The clamp is fully parametric to adapt to binoculars of different sizes. Most likely, you'd only want to modify clamp_diameter, clamp_depth, and clamp_thickness. My Prostaffs measured about 47.5mm around the area I want the clamp to hold onto and accounting for foam padding, I've found that a value of 50mm for clamp_diameter fits well. I wanted the clamp to be about 25mm deep and I just so happened to have some M3x25 screws laying around.

Printing

For the clamp, I'm sure your regular print settings with PLA should be fine, but this is what I used on my A1 Mini:

• Black PETG • 0.2mm layer height for clamp, 0.15mm for the latch pieces • 15% gyroid infill • 3 wall loops • Ironing all top surfaces • Use tree supports for the top and bottom latch pieces, but not in the hole for the 1/4"-20 insert

For the latch just follow the recommended print settings on the original model. Separate the anchor from the rest of the latch in the slicer to minimize the risk of a print failure (as shown in image below). This has already been done in the files for you.

I was able to print everything on 180x180mm plate, separated by object. The top and bottom clamps are merged as one object, and the anchor and latch are their separate objects. I've included the 3mf file I used to print on my A1 Mini. The parameters for this file are the ones listed in the image above.

Materials

Draw Latch (M4)

• 4x M4x8 socket head cap screws • 4x M4xH6 threaded heat set inserts

Draw Latch (M3)

• 4x M3x8 socket head cap screws • 4x M3xH6 threaded heat set inserts

Clamp

• 1x M3x25 SHCS (for me, the total length measured 27.5mm which is what I set for clamp_depth) • You may use a different length as well but I recommend that it's longer than 20mm

• 1x M3xH4 threaded heat set insert • You may choose to omit this if you want to directly thread the M3 screw into the plastic (you'll need to modify the peg_stop_diameter parameter)

• 2mm sealing foam tape • You can experiment with other padding material or none at all, but then you'd be having direct tight plastic contact with your binoculars

• 1x 1/4"-20xH8 threaded heat set insert (optional) • This is for if you want to mount a sturdier tripod plate or directly screw the mount into something

Assembly

Should be pretty self-explanatory. Press the M4 inserts into each of the four holes on the clamps. Press the M3 insert into the top clamp (if you are using it), then line up the clamps at the hinge. The fit might be tight, but don't be afraid to break it in. Don't forget to trim off all excess support fragments. Once the holes are aligned at the hinge, screw in the M3 until it's flush with the surface but not too tight where the hinge has trouble opening. If you have it, add adhesive sealing tape to pad the binoculars and not damage the finish.

Design and description by Kevin Zhang , licensed CC-BY-SA.