How to design a SolidWorks camera mount for the Intel RealSense D435

thijs · September 2, 2026, 12:14am

Based on contributions by Elmerisalama.

The Intel RealSense D435 only has one large threaded hole and two small ones on its body, which on their own aren’t enough to hold the camera securely on a moving setup. This walks through a three-part mount design that clamps onto standard aluminum profile and lets you adjust the camera’s position, rotation, and downward angle.

What you need

SolidWorks.
A CAD model of your 40×40 aluminum profile (downloadable from the profile manufacturer’s site — see also How to set up item aluminum profiles in CAD using the item24 Engineering Tool for a general item-profile CAD workflow) to use as a size reference.
An Intel RealSense D435 camera.

Steps

1. Design a holder for the aluminum profile

Model a holder for the 40×40 aluminum profile using the profile’s CAD file as a size reference. Design it so it can slide along the profile before being clamped in place, and so it can be attached to any side of the profile depending on your project’s layout.

2. Design the swivel mount

Design a second part that attaches to the profile holder and lets the camera rotate. In this design the two parts are tightened together with a nut that passes through both parts and is secured to the aluminum profile, allowing 360° rotation before it’s locked in place.

3. Design the camera holder

Design the final part: the piece that actually clamps the camera. Attach it to the swivel mount with a nut so the downward angle of the camera can be adjusted independently of the rotation set in step 2.

Add side holes for screws that secure the camera body against the holder, so it stays stable during the robot’s movement. Add a thin layer of padding between the screws and the camera body — this lets you tighten the screws enough to hold the camera firmly without damaging it.

4. Assemble and check

Assemble all three parts with the camera to confirm the full range of adjustment (position along the profile, rotation, and downward angle) covers what your project needs.

Troubleshooting

Camera is loose using only its built-in threaded holes — that’s expected; use the three-part clamping mount above instead of relying on the camera’s own mounting holes alone.
Screws crack or mark the camera housing — add (or thicken) the padding between the screws and the camera body.