Sliding blind/louver for window (with topology optimised options)

Update 2023-12-02

-Removed fillet from top of V1 bracket as it was causing considerably weakening the bonding using to surfaces using double-sided tape, also the part is overall now thicker.

-Did topology studies on both V1 and V2 brackets, added STL files for both.

-Deleted the mirrored bracket V1 as it is redundant with the mirror function in most slicers.

Hello there,

this here is a rather simple project. With a few brackets and compliant clips you can have yourself a blind/louver that can be adjusted at the top and the bottom.

All the parts are uploaded using the .step format so you can remix them or change the dimensions for your own use case.

The design has two directions:

• Mounting the brackets on stationary windows
• Mounting the brackets on windows that swing out

For the first use case I have used the V1 brackets (shown in cover photo).

For the second case I recommend the V2 brackets as they can be mounted anywhere along the top and bottom of the window frame.

Things you will need

• Rope ( up to 10mm for V1 and up to 6mm for V2 bracket)
• Compliant clips ( V3 clip is the stiffest, V1 being softest)
• Double-sided tape
• IPA
• Thin strip of wood (optional)
• A buddy to keep company

General steps

Here are guidelines how I used the parts

1. Print out brackets (V1 has two variants that should be printed as a set: mirrored and non-mirrored)
2. Clean bracket back and mounting spot with IPA
3. Stick two sided tape to bracket back
4. Run rope through bracket hole and tie a knot at the end
5. Stick the brackets to the top of the window frame
6. Cut Schottis to length
7. Use another bracket as a guide for hole drilling/cutting in Schottis
8. Run rope through schottis holes and clip in place using the compliant clips
9. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for bottom brackets
10. Stick the bottom brackets on
11. Tension the rope before tying a knot at the end
12. Marvel at your work

Insights 

When brackets are spaced far apart, the top part of the blind starts to sag in the middle, to combat this, you can install the Schottis with the adhesive strip at the top and stick a piece of wood or other material to give some stiffness. 

Ropes can be somewhat lose if the top part is braced with additional material, otherwise some tension will be needed in the ropes to combat the sag.

Rope tensioning can be tricky, too much can bend the brackets or rip them off the window.

Topology optimised brackets

If you have been in contact with the 3D printing community for any amount of time, you have probably heard of topology optimisation or generative design. While prodding around for my own fun I ran some studies for the two brackets (Around 20h of compute time for both parts). Both parts are designed to hold loads of up to 190N or close to 20kg. Doing some IRL validation (sticking the part in place and pulling with some force- the most unscientific way) I can say that it will hold that and some more.

There are a few additions that I am thinking of making to this in the future, for now have a lovely day.