Printable Pliers

Print-in-place is a method of 3D printing that creates a complete, moveable part right off of the print bed. Multiple components are printed in their assembled configuration, allowing for complicated products to be created quickly and with little waste. Other print-in-place objects include hinges, articulating toys, and latching mechanisms.

This pair of pliers is made of four separate components. This design was produced in two separate print batches according to the filament material, one with rigid PLA (blue) and one with flexible TPU (black).

The final product has three components: two interlocking PLA plier arms, a TPU spring, and a TPU band keeping the PLA joint together.

This spring compression fits into slots on either plier's arm and compresses when the mechanism is squeezed together. Due to its geometry, the spring pushes the pliers back to the open position. It is printed on its side and is interchangeable to create pliers of different stiffnesses with the same configuration. The design is parameterized so that a stiffness coefficient can be changed to determine the thickness of the TPU spring (default coefficient of 1).