Model and Print a Visor Clip for Your Car | SelfCAD

Welcome to the next SelfCAD instructable.

A visor clip in my car has recently broken and I decided to print my own instead of buying a new one.

Look how easy it is when you use SelfCAD - an online 3D modeling application.

Step 1: Unscrew the Second Clip and Measure It

First I unscrewed the second clip to see it's geometry and measurements.

There are probably differences between your parts and mine, so model your own object.

Step 2: Create New SelfCAD Project

Launch SelfCAD editor and create a new project. The visor clip is a small object, so workspace size equal 100 mm is definitely enough. The segment size isn't important in this project. I set it to 10.

Step 3: Add a Cube to the Scene

Add a cube to the scene. Set its measurements as you need. My clip should be 20mm high, 38mm long and 11mm deep. I also needed 4 width segments.

There is also a faster way to model the clip. You can use Free Hand and draw its shape. However, we need to use Stitch & Scoop many times and this tool works better with 3D Shapes.

Step 4: Select an Edge Loop

Now we need to move my loop. To do so we must select them first. Of course, we can select them one by one but using loop selection is much more comfortable. Turn on Mesh+Wireframe mode (1.) and then Edge Selection Mode (2.). Open selection tools (3.) and turn on loop selection. Now after clicking at two neighboring edges, the whole loop should be selected.

Step 5: Move the Edge Loops

Step 6: Move Faces

Step 7: Move Edges

Step 8: Use Measurements Tool

You can always use Measurements tool located in Utilities.

Step 9: Add a Cylinder

Now we need some cylinders. The first one, with a radius of 3mm, is 12 mm high.

Step 10: Add Second Cylinder

The second one, with a radius of 5mm, is 8 mm high.

Step 11: Subtract Cylinder From the Cube

Use the last cylinder to cut a hole in the base. Select both objects and choose Stitch & Scoop tool. Use Difference to subtract cylinder from the cube.

Step 12: Add Next Cylinder and Use Union

The third cylinder: radius 5 mm, height 4 mm.

Select all three objects and use Stitch & Scoop again, this time use Union.

Step 13: Add a Cylinder Again. Cut a Hole

The fourth cylinder: radius 3 mm, height > 7mm. Use this cylinder to cut a hole for the screw.

Step 14: And Next Two Cylinders

Next two cylinders: radius 5.5mm and 4mm, height 20mm. Use Difference to make an object like in the picture. Move it to the right place

Step 15: Cut a Gap

Add a cube just to use Difference again and cut a gap in the last object.

Step 16: Extrude and Move Faces to Complete the Model

Select the faces as in the image and use the Extrusion tool to connect the base with the clip. Now move the vertical edges to set their positions. These edges should be somewhere inside the clip object. Use Union to connect everything into one object.

The visor clip is ready.

Step 17: Customize the Object

The best thing about modeling such things is that you can freely customize them as you want. You can change its shape, add a pattern or text.

Step 18: Print the Model

The last thing is 3D printing. Select your object and click 3D Print. After you choose your printer, you can change the printing settings. Notice that printer can't print in the air, so if you have any protruding elements, make sure you have the support generating turned on. The protruding elements will print on the support.

When you have everything set, generate Gcode and print your object.