Breadboards are bulky and expensive.\u00a0 In many cases they are overkill and provide many more options for connections than are necessary and, as such, provide many more opportunities for error.\u00a0 This version embeds as much of the circuit design as possible in the 3D model itself.\u00a0 It also introduces an alternative to soldering – injectable conductive paste.\u00a0 Finally, it eliminates the need for cutting wires to length and stripping away insulation; and uses a snap-on technique for assembly.<\/p>\n Version 3: Introducing the Flexure Spring.<\/a><\/p>\n This version introduces the concept of a 3D printed flexure spring instead of a 3D printed leaf spring.\u00a0 A flexure spring has one major advantage over the leaf spring (and any traditional metal coil spring, as well) in that it forces the center post of the switch to travel “almost” vertically.\u00a0 That means that it can ensure that the button or button collar doesn’t get caught under the edge of the switch cover.\u00a0 In addition, by making the cover hole a little larger than the button or button collar, it eliminates the problem of printed layers scraping against each other and leading to a smooth upward and downward movement of the activation surface without the requirement for Teflon tubing.<\/p>\n Version 2: Utilizing captured nuts and printed threads.<\/a><\/p>\n Rather than using threaded inserts that have to be heated and pressed into place with a soldering iron, this version looks at adding capture cages for standard (and much cheaper) hex nuts to the 3D model.\u00a0 It also used the Fusion 360 capability to model screw threads to create a 3D printable post to replace the large bolt.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the printed post still has a rough outer surface and has to be inserted into a Teflon tube in order to reduce friction.\u00a0 Even worse, the fact that the post is narrow and printed vertically, it can be broken along layer lines.\u00a0 This is particularly a problem where the post screws into the activation surface.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/volksswitch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/version-3-300x271.jpg?resize=300%2C271\")
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