Print Guide — IV Pole Mount v2
Safety Note — Read First
This is a load-bearing mount. A Curlin CMS6000 pump with a full IV bag weighs approximately 1.4 kg (3 lbs). Print quality directly affects safety. The settings below are minimums — you are responsible for verifying mechanical integrity before use. See Safety & Disclaimer.
V2 vs V1 — What's Different
The IV Pole Mount v2 has a different exterior shape compared to v1. All functional dimensions are identical — same pole channel, same pump cradle pocket, same thumbscrew thread. All print settings, material requirements, and specifications on this page are the same as v1. Choose whichever shape you prefer; they are functionally equivalent.
Required Files
Download from GitHub Releases:
| File | Purpose | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
OpenPoleMount_IV-Pole_v2.stl |
IV pole cradle (v2 shape) | 1 |
thumbscrew_v14_flat_Thandle.stl |
Thumbscrew for pole attachment | 1 |
Tested to Destruction (2026-06-09)
An under-spec print of the v1 body (4-layer walls, 1 mm top/bottom, 15% non-structural infill, standard PLA) never failed under load. Failure only occurred under deliberate extreme over-tightening — the thumbscrew punched through the side wall, a safe and predictable failure mode. The v2 body shares the same critical wall geometry and is expected to behave identically. The recommended settings below are conservative relative to this tested limit. See full testing results →
Material
PLA is the tested and validated material for this design. Settings on this page are based on PLA testing. Other materials (PETG, ASA, ABS) have not yet been tested — if you print in another material, please share your results by opening an issue.
| Material | Status |
|---|---|
| PLA | ✅ Tested — use the settings below |
| PETG / ASA / ABS | ⚠️ Not yet tested — proceed at your own risk |
| TPU / Flexible | ❌ Not suitable — cannot support structural load |
Recommended Print Settings (PLA, tested)
| Setting | Cradle | Thumbscrew |
|---|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.2 mm | 0.2 mm |
| Wall count | 6 walls (≈2.4 mm at 0.4 mm nozzle) | 6 walls |
| Top/bottom thickness | 2 mm minimum | 2 mm minimum |
| Infill | 35% minimum — 3D honeycomb (preferred) or other non-concentric pattern | 35% minimum |
| Infill pattern | 3D honeycomb (preferred), gyroid, or cubic — not lines, grid, or concentric | same |
| Supports | None needed | Optional — single layer keeps part in place; brim works too |
| Print speed | 40–60 mm/s | 40–60 mm/s |
Wall and Infill Minimums Are Safety-Critical
Testing has shown that the mount can crack if over-tightened when walls or infill are below these minimums. The 6-wall + 2 mm top/bottom + 35% non-concentric infill combination is the recommended minimum.
Do not use concentric, lines, or grid infill patterns — they do not provide the same resistance to the stress concentration from the thumbscrew. 3D honeycomb is the preferred pattern.
Part Orientation
Cradle: Print with the pole channel vertical (mounting hole facing up). This orients layer lines perpendicular to the primary load direction, maximizing pull-out and shear strength.
Thumbscrew: Print flat with the T-handle face down. No supports needed.
Support Settings
Neither part requires supports. Supports are optional on both:
- Cradle: supports are not required. If you use them, place under the pump cradle pocket. Tree or Normal both work; 45° threshold; 2–3 interface layers for clean removal.
- Thumbscrew: supports are not required. If enabled, the slicer typically places a single layer under the part — this helps hold it in place during printing. A brim works equally well for this purpose.
Printing Footage
Post-Processing
After printing:
- Remove all supports carefully — use flush cutters, not a knife
- Clean the thumbscrew threads with a brush if needed
- Test-fit thumbscrew in the threaded hole — should turn smoothly by hand
- Verify the pole channel diameter matches your IV pole
- Check pump fits snugly in the cradle pocket — should not rattle
Verification Before Use
Run through this checklist before mounting any medical equipment:
- [ ] No visible layer delamination (check by pressing firmly — should not crack or flex excessively)
- [ ] No significant warping of the base or pole channel
- [ ] Thumbscrew threads cleanly with no binding or stringing
- [ ] Dry test: mount on pole without pump, apply firm downward pressure — cradle must not slide
- [ ] Pump seats fully without rocking or side-to-side movement
If any check fails, do not use the part — reprint with corrected settings.
Over-Tightening Risk
Once mounted, tighten the thumbscrew hand-tight plus one quarter-turn only. Over-tightening is the primary cause of cradle failure even in correctly printed parts. See the Assembly Guide for tightening instructions.