Neat, good job. You might want to include what screw size it fits, and the word "anchor" somewhere in the description/title for searching (these are typically called drywall anchors in the US).
Fyi, it should work for screws with a diameter of ~3.5mm. As long as you can get the screw to self tap its own threads, you should be OK.
Everything should be a very tight fit, when all is said and done. I have to press the anchor bits into the cap by pressing the assembly together hard on my desk.
Looks like a nice, quick print for petg on my sidewinder. Don't currently have anything I need to hang. But added this to a collection so I can definitely find it later.
Love the idea of printing it split like this. Accomplishes both the spread for anchoring, and decreases layer weakness in the structure.
Thinking of either of these facts makes it seem like a better idea than any other anchor I've seen for printing so far. (Used to work in a hardware store, so I know of a few ways to anchor into drywall) Of course I've yet to see a print for a toggle anchor (usually have a spring and folds open once you put it through a hole in the wall). Nor have I really looked into finding anchor files. Just came across a few over my 3 years printing experience.
I tried a few anchors that were already out there all of them broke at the layer lines easily with PLA. Granted PETG would probably have mitigated that issue, but I didn't want to change filaments.
The toggle anchor would be fun to design, but designing a hinge that would work universally across many printers and filaments would be a challenge, for sure. Cheers!
They expand quite a bit and the little tabs are intended to dig into the drywall to keep the assembly from rotating while it the screw is set.
I suppose you could cut the little tabs off and not use the ring and it would still work. It may be problematic since the main anchor bit is split in half.
It's probably limited to the thickness of the drywall. All I needed was a lightweight shelf and maybe a picture or two. I would have to test it to get some real numbers.
Aww, thank you! I can be a sarcastic ass sometimes, but such is life. Regardless, it's fun to design and share things. That reminds me... I included the .f3d file with this design but I forgot to add a .step. I'll add that and some clearer dimensions for it tomorrow.
Lemmy just needs all the love it can get and interactions are super critical for that. After being on Reddit for over 12 years, it's great to be part of something new.
It can, yes. However, it is only by 3mm. The print orientation is the way it is so that it can survive a hammer and some love taps. (I already tested that, btw.) Additionally, I wanted some extra meat on it for easy removal later and it may be hidden, depending on your application.
In theory, you don't need the support ring if the hole you drill in your drywall is a perfect fit. I have traditionally drilled my drywall holes a hair small for these kinds of mounts, so if you do that, not using the ring may work. Or not.
Isn't it really cool that some of the best engineering projects leverage extreme simplicity? I am not saying that I am a grand architect or anything like that, but this simple project is a perfect example of why most people want to learn 3D printing.
After thousands of dollars were spent on 3D printers, rolls of filament and replacement parts with hundreds of hours dedicated to learn about printers and CAD, it all just boiled down to being able to design and print a silly drywall anchor on a whim.