FLEXIRIG HD (Heavy Duty) – Flexible rig system for DSLR and mirrorless video cameras

Please scroll to the bottom of the post for update information.

FLEXIRIG HD (HeavyDuty)  is a universal, flexible, stable, and lightweight rig system that can be quickly adapted to the requirements of a Run-and-Gun- / Event-Shooter and any other video project.

The challenges, design principles, and technical foundations of the FLEXIRIG HD system are based on those of the FLEXIRIG L (lite) system, which I recently uploaded and presented here. Therefore, I will not repeat the details here.

Here is the link to the printable FLEXIRIG L version:
https://www.printables.com/model/1832019-flexirig-lite-flexible-rig-system-for-compact-came

I have created the following 12x12 strut lengths (length / number of holes):

240 mm / 15 holes
208 mm / 13 holes
176 mm / 11 holes
144 mm / 9 holes
112 mm / 7 holes

For screws, I used M6 x 18 stainless steel (V2A) socket head cap screws (5 mm hex drive) this time: Amazon: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0DHPJZBRL/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A2U3U52SOUJP5P&th=1  These are the perfect length.. The head measures 10 x 6 mm and should not be any larger or taller.

The Heavy Duty version is specifically designed for DSLR, mirrorless cameras and small/medium cinema cameras.

Here are a few example models suitable for the FLEXRIG HD:

Canon EOS 5D IV
Canon EOS R5 C
Canon EOS C80 Cinema Camera
Blackmagic Cinema 6K Camera
SONY FX2 / FX3 / FX6 / FX30
NIKON ZR
NIKON Z6 II & III / Z7 II / Z8 / Z9
Z CAM E2N 4K
Kinefinity VISTA

Here are a few basic print parameters I used for the prototype version shown:

Filament: PLA Rapido black
Nozzle: 0,4 mm
Layer hight: 0,2 mm
Wall loops: 3
Top shell layers: 3
Bottom shell layers: 3
Top/Bottom Pattern: Rectilinear
Sparse infill density:  20 % (35% for the camera/rig handle)
Sparse infill pattern: Rectilinear
Speed: < 150 mm/s
Plate-Temp: 60 °C
Print-Temp: 210 °C
Seams Position: Random
Support: Only support for the handle

I did not print or test the rod baseplate designed for use with a 15mm LWS rod system, as I do not currently have such a system available. If anyone wishes to print and use this mounting plate, please feel free to test it.

I incorporated two guide slots into both the rod baseplate and the camera mounting plate, and created two corresponding guide strips. If needed, these strips can be glued into the slots on the rod baseplate, where they serve as alignment guides to facilitate parallel mounting. Of course, a quick-release system would be a more elegant solution here, allowing the camera cage to be detached from the rod system during a shoot if necessary.

I see the following advantages in the design variants and FDM 3D printing:

1. A versatile and flexible alternative to cage designs custom-fitted to specific camera bodies.
   
   Things should always be designed simply, yet remain practical and easy to repair.
   That is why this FLEXRIG design follows the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple and Stupid.
   
   A quick look back at where KISS originally came from 😊
   KISS means that most systems work best if they stay simple rather than made complex. The U.S. Navy used this phrase in the 1960s to remind engineers to build gear that regular people could repair easily in the field.
   
   

2. High scalability through a holistic design concept. FlexiRig struts can be configured for everything from lightweight 8x8 (Lite) designs to heavy-duty 12x12 (HD) or 16x16 (SHD - Super Heavy Duty) variants. Follow the moto: KISS - Keep It Simple and Stupid
   
   

3. Thanks to the simple design, straightforward FDM 3D printing is possible on almost any 3D printer.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE:

NEW: 

1. Added two cold shoe adapters for flexible mounting on the cage struts.
   

2. Designed and printed a 3/8" knurled screw for the camera/cage handle. This brings the weight down to just 54 grams.
   

3. Created a longer, captive 1/4" knurled-head screw to utilize the 1/4" holes in the strut corner connectors with existing accessories.
   

4. A longer ISO M6 knurled screw with a cylindrical shaft, designed to attach cold shoe adapters anywhere along the struts and to enable tool-free mounting of the FLEXIRIG HD and future accessories.
   

5. A second version of the center-brace connector was designed to allow the handle to be attached directly to the connector itself in a "dual-cage" setup for stereo 3D filming.