These 3D-Printable Probe Clamps Make Poking at PCBs a Pleasure

Pseudonymous maker "2048bits" has released STL files for printing spring-loaded clamps designed to hold probe needles — and to make it easier to attach them to devices on test without needing a third hand.

"This is a spring-loaded clamp with integrated precision testing needles. It’s designed to work with a variety of PCB layouts, from microcontrollers to small modules," 2048bits explains of the gadget. "The clamp applies consistent pressure to maintain a stable connection, which is particularly useful when testing for continuity, voltage, or signals over an extended period."

Multimeter probes are, typically, used in pairs and relatively easy to poke at a device under test while peering at the readout. When using logic analyzers or other more advanced debugging devices, though, you'll typically need more than two probes — and as the component pitch size drops, the probes get smaller and trickier to control.

That's where the clamps come in. "I can now set up tests quickly, make adjustments without worrying about the probe slipping, and focus on interpreting the results," 2048bits explains. "The lightweight and durable material make it easy to handle and adapt to different testing scenarios."

The clamp design has been uploaded to Maker World under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license; those looking to make them will also need an 8mm M2 bolt with 4mm head diameter, a 1mm probe needle and matching receptacle, and a 3mm-diameter spring made from 10mm of 0.5mm-diameter wire.