heat insert press

This model builds a heat insert press based on a 2020 extrusion and POM wheels. A rack & gear assembly are used for smoother movement control.  My initial version had a 55 tooth spur gear, I later did a variation using a 75 tooth spur gear to get a bit more leverage with the larger gear when moving the assembly up & down.   Both versions are available here.

Please note that this is an initial design build. I may well make modifications after a period of use.  

The pictures show a 400mm extrusion, 200mm is the minimum size that would be usable.  The press arm is constructed with a Yihua 947 III  soldering iron in mind.  It is a low cost iron with on-board on/off switch and temperature control.

The design was constructed to use the following hardware items:
- POM wheels w/ 24mm diameter, 5mm bore, and 11mm thickness (x4)
- eccentric nuts with a 5mm bore and 6mm height (x10)
- M5 cap head screws (40mm)  & nuts  (x5) as axles
- M3 cap head screws (35mm x3)  (25mm x2) (10mm x 2)
- M3 threaded inserts (3 - 5mm  x5)

The eccentric nuts will be a tight fit in the axle mounts.  Use of slip lock pliers (or similar) can make insertion easier.  Two eccentric nuts are used for each POM wheel axle and the spur gear axle.

The M3 threaded inserts should not protrude from the inner surfaces as that would prevent assembly.  Alignment is critical for successful assembly.

The rack is inserted into the back side 2020 groove.  It should be positioned so that the soldering iron tip can reach the base.   2 M3 10mm screws are used to lock the rack in place & act as a stop for the spur gear.  Do not install the M3 screws until the main body is in place on the extrusion.

Assemble the main body before installing on the extrusion.  Orient the eccentric nuts so the max offset marker is pointed away from the extrusion.  Once on the extrusion, rotate the eccentric nuts (using a 10mm open end wrench) towards the extrusion until  the desired pressure is applied.  The objective is just enough pressure to prevent the assembly from dropping under it's own weight with soldering iron installed.  The eccentric nuts on the spur gear axle can be used to adjust engagement between gear and rack.

The cap component has a hole that can be used for secuing the power cord via a zip tie, wire twist or split ring.

Fusion 360 source and .STEP files are included in addition to the STL files.

Parts should be printable in their native orientations without the use of supports.