Repair clamp for loose wire of drying rack

What is it (for)

This adoptable part is intended to help with the repair of cheap, metal frames for drying wet clothes or drying racks where the wire has become detached from the frame.

The intention was to have relatively small body which is easy to print and simple to attach.

The clamp is fixed by pressing the two halves of the clamp on the loose wire. There are three tested ways of fixing the component to the torn wire,

- by screwing the threaded screw and nut together (e.g. threaded screw with countersunk head M3 x 10 mm; in German: Innensechskantschraube mit Senkkopf; should be found in every hardware-store) or

- by using a wood screw of 2,5mm diameter and 10 mm length (e.g. Spax countersunk head universal screw PZ drive Ø 2,5 mm x 10 mm) or

- using a cable tie (<5mm width).

The also attached, parametric model was designed in FreeCAD v1.0.0. So you can adopt the model yourself, if necessary.

Update 202603 version 0.9.7 (filenames with v0p9p7_FC1.1): used FreeCAD version 1.1RC3; increased the outer diameter which in turn makes the whole structure stronger; now maily use the version with M3-screw+nut. This version also allows to be 'opened' to be put around a still connected but loose wire.

keywords: drying rack, clothes horse, repair, metal, frame, wire, clamp, Wäscheständer, Reperatur, Metall, adjustalbe, parametric, FreeCAD

Procedure of applying the clamp

- Fix the clamp on the wire (so the inner surface for the frame on the clamp is approximately at the position of the outer surface of the frame or ~2mm inside the frame).

- Push the clamp from the top over the frame

Optionally, you can add a drop of glue or double-sided adhesive tape to the frame to secure the clamp to the frame against lateral movement.

Design

The parametric model was designed in FreeCAD v1.0.0 using the Pard-Design workbench.

Different parameters can be changed by simply adjusting the entries in the VarSet in the main tree.

E.g. the main diameters, the diameter of the surrounding frame of the drying rack, Diameter_frame, or the 'Diameter_wire' can be adjusted there if needed (See screenshots).

Currently they are set to Diameter_frame=14,3mm and Diameter_wire=3mm.

- Additional space was introduced at the end of the wire, in case there is remaining material broken from the frame.

- The two halves of the clamp are pulled together via three possibilities:

+ A e.g. M3 screw and nut, where the nut is held inside the printed body.

+ Using two small wood-screws of e.g. 2.5mm diameter and 10mm length.

+ Use cable ties, e.g. that are 3.2 mm wide.

The file also includes a split-in-half verison of the solid. This is handy if you want to secure a wire/rod before it becomes loose (See 'Exploded Slice' in model tree).

Fixation

When opening the attached FreeCAD model all element in the tree are set for using a metric M3 screw and nut to fix the clamp.

If you want to use the model for small wood-screws for fixation you have to disable/supress in 'Part wire2frame-clamp' in 'Body002 wire2fram-clamp' the two elements 'Pocket for hex-nuts (optional)' and 'Hole screw M3 both sides, (optional when using nuts)'.

Furthermore, if you want to use cable ties to press the two halves of the clamp together, nothing needs to be changed.

Printing

All models were printed in Prusament PETG with standard temperature settings on a Prusa-Mini+.

The model is printed with the flat surface on the printing bed (See screenshots).

- 0.15mm layer height

- 100% infill

- No support needed, Brim and support-material are optional

The print was tested with and without Brim and Support with PETG. If you do not have any problems with adhesion on the printing board simply try it without Brim and Support and save yourself the trouble of cleaning/removing the extra material.