Mini Hardbox: rethinking an old favourite
Added 2020-01-10 12:24:56 +0000 UTCSometimes I make stuff that I actually use. While I love pushing 3D printing as a creative pursuit it really can have practical uses, too! I guess all boxes have potential utility, but these boxes are ones I use every day.
I'm a motorcyclist, and I often start wear earplugs to cut road noise. Those earplugs needed something to keep them safe and clean, so a while back I created a small box design using my classic approach of a lid that slides into a base. It worked great! It's also been useful for keeping small things organised.
But I wondered if I could step up my tiny box game and hinge the lid, without changing the dimensions in any significant way... and you've seen the pictures by now, so you know that yes, that's exactly what I did!
The hinge is at the midpoint at the back so that the curved path that the front takes on closing has a minimal impact on the shape of the box inner. I did have to trim just a little off the upper to let things move nicely, but I kept enough there to add friction and keep the box from opening too easily.
What could you use this tiny box for?
(STLs for both versions are on Dropbox as usual under "mini hardbox"!)
Comments
Wonderful! 😁
Clockspring3D
2020-01-11 11:01:05 +0000 UTCPrinted 2 already, they work great. They open easily, but stay shut when needed due to the little bit of friction. Great work.
Anton Maree
2020-01-11 03:53:44 +0000 UTCThanks, David! It's love to see them when you've printed them. I'll get Discord sorted out next week or so to make sharing print photos a bit easier.
Clockspring3D
2020-01-10 21:32:12 +0000 UTCThats great! I'm so thrilled that this is actually useful for someone! 😁
Clockspring3D
2020-01-10 21:30:45 +0000 UTCI'm loading some filament and then printing one of these for my wife. She is a Safety Practitioner at a Petrochemical factory and uses similar ear plugs when she needs to go to the work site. Thanks a million. "Simple" ideas and things can be awesome too, AND in this case, useful. Which is also a much needed component to 3D printing to make it appeal to a larger audience.
Anton Maree
2020-01-10 13:15:38 +0000 UTC
