DIY Fiber optic cable mount

[sjka]

I'm looking to source some inexpensive fiber optic cable mounts for my camera housing. This universal fiber optic mount kit would in principle work but seems well overpriced for what it is, but perhaps there's a secret sauce I'm missing that is going to be a pain to replicate? 

 

The key components seem to be:

Cable mount (female side for cable, flat side to sit flush on housing)

Flash cover to prevent backscatter

Adhesive for both

 

I have free access to a PLA printer through school, so I was thinking of modifying a file such as this one to have a flat face on one side. Additionally, it seems like it would make sense to have a wider base for structural integrity (reduce cantilevering) and also act as a flash cover.

With regard to adhesives, it seems like this old thread suggests superglue, epoxy, or some 3M double adhesive.

 

Am I missing any key design elements or considerations here? Hopefully I didnt miss any similar threads in the forums.

[Ross]

I don't think you're missing any key components, but you might get more specific advice by sharing what camera housing you are making this for.

[Chris Ross]

On 2/12/2025 at 5:48 AM, sjka said:

I'm looking to source some inexpensive fiber optic cable mounts for my camera housing. This universal fiber optic mount kit would in principle work but seems well overpriced for what it is, but perhaps there's a secret sauce I'm missing that is going to be a pain to replicate? 

 

The key components seem to be:

Cable mount (female side for cable, flat side to sit flush on housing)

Flash cover to prevent backscatter

Adhesive for both

 

I have free access to a PLA printer through school, so I was thinking of modifying a file such as this one to have a flat face on one side. Additionally, it seems like it would make sense to have a wider base for structural integrity (reduce cantilevering) and also act as a flash cover.

With regard to adhesives, it seems like this old thread suggests superglue, epoxy, or some 3M double adhesive.

 

Am I missing any key design elements or considerations here? Hopefully I didnt miss any similar threads in the forums.

I assume you are trying to mount fibre optic cables to a polycarbonate housing to trigger using the camera onboard flash.  Most compact housings usually come with an accessory or have one available to mount fibre optics over their flash.

 

The price for the item you linked seems quite excessive - probably why it's discontinued. 

 

If you have a TG-6 this item seems quite reasonably priced:

 

https://www.housingcamera.com/aoi-fca-01-fiber-optical-cable-adapter-for-tg-3-tg-4-tg-5-tg-6-cameras.html?srsltid=AfmBOopnMsdJR7u-RZHSxfJxGkmfrKWORmn2Ox2V7Lwa6TvFNBCC_qLI

 

If you are making something yourself seems like double sided adhesive tape  might be a good option.  as for size, most of the dedicated ones sold seem to cover the entire flash window.  There's threads on 3D printing accessory in this forum, be worth searching through them, to see tips on printing and materials to use when printing.

 

Have a look at this thread:  

 

A couple of files linked there you could modify.

[John Liddiard]

For a simple DIY,

A cheap chunk of plastic - such as an old breadboard. Use a hacksaw to cut a block that covers the housing flash window (so no direct light creeps into the picture to add scatter). Find a drill size that matches the diameter of the plug on your fibre optic cable. Drill a hole through the middle of the block. Use duct tape or pvc electrical tape to tape the block over the flash window.