Introducing PanzerMate an AFV model assembly jig

I was pretty unsatisfied with the price and quality of available AFV model holders.
so i designed my own…
V1 wasnt ready to be published, but think i worked out most kinks in the version i just published.
its mostly 3d printed and just needs some common components found easily on aliexpress, amazon or a hardware store near you.

You can mount AFV turrets and hulls on the jig!

The files are available on makerworld:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/1270261-panzermate-an-afv-model-assembly-jig

Its free to download and print.
If you have any recommendations to improve the model please give me your feedback.
If you dont have a 3D printer and live in the EU we can also work something out.

If you like the model you can also give it a free boost!

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Very nice gadget, and very kind of you to share it for free

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Thank you, Julius, for sharing the design!
I am currently 3D printing the parts in Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro. Only finished the jig sides parts and had to cut some parts off due to the size limitation of my printer. Should be done with the rest in a couple of hours. I don’t think I need the base because the sides part looks stable and big enough.


It printed very nicely.

However, for the life of me, I cannot figure out what this clip is for:

Could you please help figure it out?

Thank you.

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Finished 3D printing the rest btw:


Putting these two parts together was a bit tricky because by forcing in the top part, I had to use some force and did not want to break either parts. Some careful sanding, dunking in the hot water then slowly prying opened using both hands and the top top worked…

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Nice jig! But how to download the files? When I click on the “download STL” nothing happens :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

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That’s weird. When I click on it, a new window pops up to download a zip file. You may have to open up an account at makerworld though.

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So I have to register I guess?

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Thanks All !!!
its the first model i published.

The Clip is to secure the Housing to the Scroll Plate.
You can also secure it even more by putting some string inbetween the holes and tightening.
For the next revision im planning to put a Thread on the outside so you can mount a “counternut”

Thanks for mentioning that the Parts fit together Forcefully.
I printed on BambuLab P1S with eSun PLA Basic.
What material did you use?
Did you adjust the infill? that could also make it harder
Also i didnt have to put any brim around any of my parts, do you have adhesion problems on your printer?
It went together stifly but securely for me not too much force required

I can see that downloading doesnt work when i open the page in a private browser window aswell.
Can i upload the files here somehow?

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Thanks for the explanation, Julius! Makes sense.
My responses to your questions below:

What material did you use?

  • Elegoo PLA+. I like the PLA+ because they’re stronger and more heat-resistant than the regular PLA.
  • Your printing in PLA Basic and better printing in BambuLab P1S may have helped with the flexibility?

Did you adjust the infill? that could also make it harder

  • Yes, the default infill was 20% but increased it to 25% to make the parts stronger.

Also i didnt have to put any brim around any of my parts, do you have adhesion problems on your printer?

  • As a precaution, I add brims whenever there are multiple parts. Better safe than dealing with adhesion issues in mid-print.

It went together stifly but securely for me not too much force required

  • Interesting. I had to be careful with some force.

Can i upload the files here somehow?

  • I don’t think there’s a way to upload large files like that on this forum…

I’ll post some more photos of the jig once I finish the assembly. Thanks again.

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Hi Julius,
I have another question for you for the assembly.
Do you have any tips on how to install the threaded brass insert into the arm part?
Your photo shows:


However, as I was putting it together, the threaded insert is a bit bigger than the hole:

Is there an easier way to put it in other than sanding out the hole and using a brute force to jam in the threaded insert?

TIA

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Chuck it into an electric drill and file down a bit until it fits well ?

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The insert is supposed to be bigger. Its a heat set insert.
You can use a bolt from the outside and pull it through.
It needs a bit of force but the hold is stronger than if the hole was bigger
It will cut its own thread by being pulled

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OK, got it, Julius. I realized that I should have installed the threaded inserts first before putting the arm part in. So that’s an FYI for those who are planning to 3D print this jig.

I was looking for a way to install the inserts without having to pull and take off the arm holder part (didn’t want to risk breaking the thing again) but it was going to be too difficult w/out doing so.

Once I took it apart, used a rotary tool/drill and a metal file to sand down the holes to make bigger, which made the initial thrust much easier:


Then slowly tightened the bolt to carefully move in the threaded insert into the hole - without cracking the PLA knob as Julius suggested:

Then voila!

Top parts holding my M60 “Slick” turret WIP:

Together (don’t have the magnets yet):

Installing a thread on the inside to mount a “counternut” sounds like a much better idea so the top parts will be more secure and you don’t have to rely on the magnets to hold the kit parts.

I may modify these parts as the top part being a “male” and the bottom arm part being “female” so you simply screw them instead of putting magnets.

Here’s what I am experimenting:


I’d then use the small bolt part to hold the tank kit hull - would need to drill a small hole in the bottom though…

Just an idea…

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Here are some of my user experience photos of the nice jig designed by JujuAT.

The magnet mechanism held up the WIP model in 1/35 pretty well:


Magnet placed inside

The magnets are holding it even when I flip over the model and jig:

For the turret holder, I’ve modified it to hold a threaded bolt (also 3D printed) instead of needing a 3rd magnet.


Then added it to an existing kit stand I 3D printed earlier.

This experiment gave me an idea for a “modular” assembly jig, which I may design separately.
If I were to CAD one, I’d include all the needed parts as 3D prints instead of having to buy the metal ones. At the same time, yes, there is an advantage of having solid metal components.

Overall, this is a nicely designed tool. Thanks, Julius.
It would have been better if no extra hardware was to be purchased…

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yeah i made the extra hardware on purpose. not everything needs to be 3d printed if sturdier alternatives are available, thats the reason.

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