PLAb Tripod Adapter Plate

PLAb System

A component of the growing PLAb Collection of 3D printable optomechanics. This is an adapter plate that allows a standard 3/8in tripod mount to securely mount to an M6 or 1/4-20 screw grid. Use most commercially available camera tripods to give low-cost pan-tilt-yaw adjustment in scientific imaging setups. For example, an optical table, the  PLAb Optical Breadboard, PLAb 3030 and 4040 Linear Carriers, or PLAb Posts. 

Please share what you build with PLAb as Makes here on Printables. If you have an issue, need a customized version for your application, or just have a suggestion please drop a comment or reach out to me via my profile page.

License and Support

If you find the system useful, please share it with your colleagues. If it makes your lab easier or cheaper to setup, perhaps Buy Me a Coffee so I can continue to develop the system and keep it free and openly available under the Open Community License (OCL) with the General Attribution (GAtt) Plugin. 

Configurations

A subset of adapter plates are included as downloads directly here on Printables. These include 25 mm, 25.4 (1 inch), 37.5 mm (75 mm/2), and 40 mm hole spacing variants with 42 mm and 50 mm diameter set screw rings.

If you need a different size, you can generate just what you need in the OnShape Configurator. If you do download from the OnShape documents, please download one of the files and drop a like here on Printables. 

Parameters and Part Naming

• Hole Spacing (mm): Sets the distance between mounting holes in the X and Y directions

  • Minimum of 20 mm.

  • Set as D<XX> in part numbers

• Lock Ring Diameter (mm): Diameter of the ring where M3 set screws are mounted to resist torques in yaw

  • Minimum of 25 mm.

  • Set as H<XX> in part numbers

• Alignment Slots: Optionally adds a pair of 3 mm deep, 9 mm wide PLAb post alignment slots to the base of the adapter plate at the center of the front and rear edges of the plate.

  • Parts ending in -U have no alignment tabs

  • Parts ending in -A have alignment tabs

Recommended Print Settings

The system is designed to be as simple to print as possible. No supports, no special materials, no slicer tricks. I started developing the system on a Prusa Mk3s and am now using a Snapmaker U1 and Prusa XL. General printing guidelines are as follows:

• Prints have been tested well at  0.2 mm layer height on a 0.4mm nozzle and 0.4 mm on a 0.6 mm nozzle. This setting is non-critical and any other combination should work fine.

• These parts are optimized first for PLA

• Tougher filaments like PETG or PCTG can be used is greater toughness of thermal stability is required for your application.

• Use three perimeters with at least four top and bottom layers for best results.

• Infill is not critical here. I usually use 10% Adaptive Cubic.

• For Alignment Tab (-A) Types use Snug Supports for cleaner alignment slots, especially for materials that do not bridge well, like shown below.

• Print with counterbores oriented upward like shown below.

Assembly Instructions

1. Press-fit M3 flat nuts into the hexagonal recesses on the top of the mount.

2. Thread an M3 set screws into the bottom (side without grid counterbores).

3. Insert a 3/8-16 1/2 inch long Button Cap Screw into the large central counterbore on the bottom.

4. Thread into the bottom of the tripod head and tighten.

5. Tighten down M3 set screws to secure the tripod head against torque.

6. Use M6 or 1/4-20 Socket Cap Bolts to mount the plate where desired.