Project RailLight

Project RailLight focuses on designing a compact rail-mounted lighting system that improves visibility while maintaining a simple, secure attachment method. The goal of the project was to create a lightweight mount capable of holding a flashlight firmly in place while allowing easy installation and adjustment. By combining practical hardware with a custom-designed bracket, the system provides a reliable way to integrate lighting into a rail-mounted platform.

The design emphasizes durability, adjustability, and ease of assembly while using commonly available hardware and materials.

CAD Design Notes

CAD Design

The RailLight mount was designed in CAD to ensure proper fitment with the rail system and secure retention of the flashlight. The model was refined to position hardware correctly and keep the mount compact and rigid.

Key CAD Considerations

• M3 and M5 screw placement for rail attachment
• Heated thread inserts for durable threads in PETG
• Geometry to clamp the flashlight securely
• Compact, lightweight bracket design

Key Specifications

• Material: PETG 3D-printed mount for strength and durability
• Mounting Hardware: M3 and M5 screws used to secure the mount to the rail system
• Threading: Heated thread inserts for stronger, reusable threads in the printed components
• Lighting System: Adjustable flashlight capable of widening or narrowing the beam
• Design Goal: Secure, compact lighting mount with adjustable illumination control

Design for Manufacturing

• Clearances modeled for 3D printed PETG tolerances
• Reinforced mounting areas to handle clamping force from screws
• Insert pockets designed to allow easy installation of heated thread inserts
• Simplified geometry for reliable printing without support material

Key CAD Considerations

• M3 and M5 screw placement for rail attachment
• Heated thread inserts for durable threads in PETG
• Geometry to clamp the flashlight securely
• Compact, lightweight bracket design

Strobe Feature

• Flashlight includes a strobe mode for rapid flashing illumination
• Strobe effect can momentarily disorient opponents in low-light gameplay
• Helps reduce incoming hits by making movement harder to track
• Provides Tyson a short window to reposition or move safely

Review: Tyson McNeese

“My boy Graham hooked me up. I bought a water gun that had the same build as an M16, and I wanted to mount a flashlight to it. he got it done within a few hours and gave it back to me the next day!”