Blog post on Hackaday This has so many different uses not only in chemistry. This kit can be used in engineering, Stop motion, biology, manufacturing and many more. This system made to be easy, quick and flexible for any application.

Why

For a project, I need to mount a microscope camera over a PCB and did not want to make a one-off mount. I thought about other ways of making it then thought how chemistry uses a system with rods to mount to. Looking at chemistry kits, there were parts that were not there but would be useful. It was decided that I would construct my own system based on the chemistry kits system.

Equipment Components

Stands

There are 2 different types of stands, the first is made to be bolted to a plate of steel, acrylic or other base material. The second is a flexible stand where the legs can fold in/out to provide more room or avoid objects. Both stands use 10mm rods with M3 screws to hold them in place.

Bosshead

This attaches one rod to another rod at 90 degrees from each other. A 15mm x M3 screw with a nut holds the rods in place.

Clamp

This is to hold anything from a test tube and thermometer to cameras and probes. A screw will tighten the clamp around the object. A 10mm rod is inserted into the hole with some glue to hold it in place.

Ring Stand

Ring stands are used to hold a funnel but can also be used as a platform. The ring stand is made in 3 sizes; 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm. A 10mm rod is inserted into the hole with some glue to hold it in place.

Hook

This is used to hold something up, it could be cable, hose or something with a handle. A 10mm rod is inserted into the hole with some glue to hold it in place.

Angled Rods

Sometime the Rods would be better if they could bend to get a better angle or go around other objects without using more rods and bossheads. This can be done by using 2 rods attached together with a hinge to create a bendable rod. Half a bosshead and hinge can be used to anywhere on a rod. A 10mm rod is inserted into the hole with some glue to hold it in place.

PCB Holder

2 of these pars and be used to hold a printed circuit board (PCB) to the system for a time, displaying or as a soldering station. It clamps onto a 10mm rod and held in place with a 15mm x M3 screw.

Crocodile Clips Holder

This is to hold the wire, cables and other objects in place. This could be used as a soldering station for holding components. It clamps onto a 10mm rod and held in place with a 15mm x M3 screw.

Light Fitting

This is a light attachment when more light is needed. It uses a downlight screw connector to attach the light. The light which attaches to one-half of the angled rods and can be angled before tightening.

Wing Nut

This makes the system easy to use without the use of any screwdrivers and other tools. An extra 10mm is needed on the screws to uses this to on any part. (bosshead would require 25mm, not 15mm). A nut is inserted into the hole and the screw gets tightened through the part. Some glue would help to ensure the screw does not loosen.

And more to come

There will be many more parts to come. Keep an eye on this part to not miss them.

Note

• Use a 10mm drill to drill out the holes for a better fit before inserting the rods.
• The parts are 3d printed and a bunsen burner will melt the parts.