Latching Box, Parametric Print in Place

Copyright Claim

Latching Box, Parametric Print in Place

Boost
314
656
121

Print Profile(3)

All
P1S
P1P
X1
X1 Carbon
X1E
A1
A1 mini

150x60 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
150x60 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Designer
2.4 h
1 plate
4.9(21)

80x40 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
80x40 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Designer
1.1 h
1 plate
4.9(34)

210x80 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
210x80 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Designer
4.6 h
1 plate
4.8(20)

Open in Bambu Studio
Boost
314
656
121
57
1.3 k
515
Released

Description

This is a customizable, parametric, securely latching case that prints in place with no assembly required.

 

I made this just as a personal project as I'm learning Fusion 360. I wanted to challenge myself to design a parametric box that would securely latch and print in place with zero assembly, this is the result.

 

Note: Before printing you may want to test your printer's tolerance for print in place hinges. To do that, you can use my Print in Place Tolerance Test model. By default, the latching boxes have 0.3mm of tolerance between separate parts. You can adjust the spacing by customizing the parameters in the Fusion file. See the description of the Tolerance parameter in the Available Parameters section for more information.

 

Colors in example photo:

  • Prusament PETG: Prusa Orange
  • Overture PLA: Green, Space Grey, Orange, Blue Grey, Purple, Jeans Red

 

Note: These should be printed as a single object consisting of multiple parts. The file should be printed fully open with the latch vertically on the build plate, like so:

Customizing:

I am definitely still a Fusion beginner, so expect some rough spots. I've tried to add some basic parameter limits to reduce errors, but there are a few places that can trip you up:

  • The LatchCutoutAngle can be tricky. Depending on your filament type, layer height, and latch size, you might run into some issues with the latch here. Try a few small test prints to dial this in before printing anything large.
  • The CaseExteriorHeight must be tall enough so that the flat surface is large enough for the latch and hinges. You can adjust latch diameter to compensate for smaller boxes. I would keep latch diameter above 5mm.
  • The CaseExteriorWidth must be large enough so that the flat surface is wide enough for the latch and hinges. You can adjust latch width and latch frame thickness to compensate for smaller boxes.

In general, you should always double check the geometry in fusion and then again after slicing to make sure everything looks sane.

 

Available Parameters

CaseCornerRadius

Controls the radius of the case's corners, set to 0 for the smallest supported radius

CaseEdgeChamfer

Controls the size of the chamfer on the bottom and top of the case. This is enforced to be smaller than the corner radius to preserve geometry.

CaseExteriorHeight

Exterior height of each half the case. Overall height when closed is 2x this number. You may need to adjust your other parameters for very small heights

CaseExteriorLength

The exterior length (Y-axis) of the main case.

CaseExteriorWidth

The exterior width (X-axis) of the main case

CaseOverlap

Controls the "lip" on the bottom half of the case. Make sure your other parameters allow enough clearance for the overlap.

CaseThickness

The wall thickness, 2mm is about the minimum for small cases. You'll want to go higher for larger/sturdier projects.

HingeDiameter

Controls the diameter of the hinge's ball/socket. 5mm is a pretty safe minimum depending on your printer's tuning.

HingeThickness

Controls the thickness of each hinge, enforced to be thick enough to account for HingeDiameter.

LatchCutoutAngle

Controls the tightness of the clasp mechanism. This one can be tricky based on your material and print settings. Lower numbers will be tighter and higher will be looser. Adjust as necessary.

LatchDiameter

Controls the diameter of the latch's ball/socket. About 6mm is usually okay, down to 5mm is possible but will be weaker. Large diameters will be stronger but more bulky.

LatchFrameOverhang

Controls the overhang of the latch mechanism. 45deg is a safe overhang for most printers. Can go shallower to allow shorter case heights if your printer is well-tuned or if you don't mind using supports.

LatchFrameThickness

Controls the thickness of each side of the latch frame.

LatchWidth

Controls the width of the latch itself, account for LatchFrameThickness and tolerance to determine total width of the overall latching mechanism.

Tolerance

Controls spacing between various separate objects. 0.3mm works well on my printer, but this should be adjusted based on your printer's tuning.

Instructions

  1. Download and install Fusion 360 - it's free for personal use.
  2. Open the latching_box.f3d file
  3. Open the “Modify” menu and select “Change Parameters”
  4. From the menu, review the parameters and the comments explaining each
  5. Modify the parameters to suit your needs
  6. Review the model in Fusion 360 to ensure there are no issues or warnings
  7. Right click the root component in the browser and select “Save as Mesh”
  8. Save as your preferred format
  9. Slice, inspect, and print!

Note: If you have any issues please feel free to reach out, I'm happy to help debug. This is my first Fusion project of any decent size so I expect some rough edges.

Comment & Rating (121)

Please fill in your opinion
(0/5000)

had a go at some different bottom patterns, this is by far the coolest. other than the seam showing way more than I’d expect, its near perfect. a+ model!
3
Reply
gorgeous
0
Reply
Thank you for the design. Can I remove the latch and hinges, so I can enlarge the top and bottom and print them individually? I've tried it in Fusion but I get an error when I try to delete them.
The designer has replied
0
Reply
Hey, it might be easier to import an STL into TinkerCAD to modify, or even just cut the latch and hinges off in your slicer's cut tool. Cut Tool Docs: Bambu Studios -- https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-studio/cut-tool PrusaSlicer -- https://help.prusa3d.com/article/cut-tool_1779
0
Reply
Replying to @windrose :
Thank you for the reply. I thought about that, but that's a guessing game trying to make the cut flush with the surface to be retained after the cut.
0
Reply
Replying to @user_3122779113 :
Hey, I just uploaded a new f3d file under the Raw Files section, it's a version of the box without the latch or hinges. Let me know if that is what you were looking for.
0
Reply
Print Profile
80x40 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
My initial print broke because I didn’t take the time to do my tolerance testing or adjust this model in fusion 360. See my below comment
0
Reply
I’d like to correct my statement. you will absolutely need to test your printers tolerances, I think a latch degree of 37 from the default 35 is good here for just the right firmness. also my A1 tolerance was .37 mm. you’ll absolutely need to customize this in fusion 360 before attempting any print.
0
Reply
Boosted
Love it! A great print in place box. I used BBL PETG and it is perfectly functional. Thanks for sharing!
1
Reply
Print Profile
150x60 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Printed perfect
0
Reply
Thank you for sharing, great design
0
Reply
Print Profile
80x40 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Excellent, nothing to say, configurable and perfect
Show original
0
Reply
Hello, I would like to have the box latching_box.f3d in a length of 130mm, unfortunately I cannot shorten it in the parameters of Fusion360. Extending it beyond 150mm is no problem. Am I doing something wrong here?
2
Reply
I'm having the same trouble. Does anyone know how to make a shorter box?
1
Reply
This is what it looks like after shortening, with an error message
1
Reply
Replying to @user_2089275515 :
Has been solved, on Printables there is a new file from Windrose which has fixed the problem.
0
Reply
Print Profile
210x80 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
printed perfect and works great!
0
Reply
Boosted
Print Profile
80x40 Print in Place - 0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill
Great print in place profile. The box is perfectly functional in PETG.
0
Reply