Print Guide — IV Pole Mount v3
Safety Note — Read First
This is a load-bearing mount, rated for equipment up to 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.
STL Files Available Now
The finalized OpenPoleMount_IV-Pole_v3.stl is published and print-ready — download it
directly
or from GitHub Releases.
v2 also remains fully released and print-ready.
V3 vs V2 — What's Different
IV Pole Mount v3 uses a smaller, more form-fitting pocket (~125 × 100 × 66 mm printed), redesigned from feedback on v2's more open pocket. The pole channel and thumbscrew interface are unchanged. Print settings below carry over the same conservative minimums validated for v1/v2 — the v3 pocket itself has not yet been separately destruction-tested. Treat these as a starting point, not a substitute for your own inspection before use.
Required Files
| File | Purpose | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
OpenPoleMount_IV-Pole_v3.stl |
IV pole cradle (v3 shape) | 1 |
thumbscrew_v14_flat_Thandle.stl |
Thumbscrew for pole attachment (same part as v1/v2) | 1 |
Testing Status — Pending
The destruction testing on file was performed on the v1/v2 cradle body shape. v3 has not yet been separately tested to failure. The settings below are carried over from that testing as a conservative starting point because the pole channel, thumbscrew boss, and wall construction method are shared across all three versions — but this has not been independently confirmed for the v3 pocket geometry specifically. (Pending George's confirmation/testing before this note can be upgraded to a tested claim.)
Material
PLA is the tested and validated material for this design family. Settings on this page are based on PLA testing of v1/v2. 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 (v1/v2 geometry) — 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, carried over from v1/v2 testing)
| 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 on the v1/v2 shape 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 until v3-specific testing is complete.
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 equipment 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.
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 device fits snugly in the cradle pocket — should not rattle
Verification Before Use
Run through this checklist before mounting any 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 equipment, apply firm downward pressure — cradle must not slide
- [ ] Device seats fully without rocking or side-to-side movement — pending George's own physical fit-test report on the finished v3 print; the photos on the overview page show a successful hand-fit but have not been logged as a formal verification pass
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.