Parametric twist-lock generator for matching base and lid

[iron-bro]

Could Layerling add a parametric twist-lock generator that creates a matching base and lid as separate parts?

I’m working on custom lamp designs and would like a reusable twist-lock connector for joining lamp sections. The Parametric twist lock container on MakerWorld is a useful reference: its generator exposes outer diameter, container and lid heights, lock count, wall thickness and pattern, and a lock-strength modifier. Version 2 also keeps the wall pattern aligned across the connected container and lid.

For Layerling, it would be especially useful to control the connector diameter, engagement depth, number and shape of the locking features, and fit clearance (radial and axial), then generate two matching parts. A preview of the mating surfaces and an easy clearance adjustment would help tune the fit for different printers and materials. The resulting pair could be incorporated into custom lamp bodies and other assemblies without manually modeling each twist-lock joint.

Would this work best as a dedicated twist-lock pair generator, or as a reusable connector that can be applied to existing parts?

[henmedia]

@iron-bro Thanks for the detailed idea. Since 1.148.0 the Lid tool has a round connector of sorts: Screw on gives a round body a thread on the outside of its top and makes a separate cap with the matching thread inside its rim, with the fit taken from your printer's play. Grouped with the upper section, and with an opening cut through the cap's plate, it can join two lamp sections today; only where it stops depends on how far you turn it. More about it: https://layerling.com/guide/edges-and-hollowing.html#a-lid-for-an-open-body

The Lid tool is @marcus040473's work. Marcus, could you please have a look at this?

If layerling saves you some modelling time, you can support it with a small donation. Thank you!

[marcus040473]

@iron-bro thanks for the idea! The twist lock is now in my test version: https://marcus040473.github.io/?editor=1

It is a new kind in the Lid tool, Bayonet, so it works for a container and as a joint between two parts, such as the sections of a lamp: the lower part gets lugs on the outside of its top, the cap an L-shaped slot inside its rim for each. Set the cap on, push it down and give it a short clockwise twist until it clicks.

How to use it:

1. Hollow a cylinder (or a tube, or a round pot) with the top open and select it.
2. Click Lid and pick Bayonet.
3. Set Lugs (2 to 4, three to begin with) and Rim depth, how far the cap reaches down (8 mm to begin with). The lugs are sized from the diameter, and the turn follows from their number: 45° for two, 40° for three, 30° for four.
4. To suit your printer: Gap per side is the room round the lugs (it starts from your fit test if you have made one), Gap in height the room above them, and Detent height how firmly it clicks (0 for no click).
5. Click Make lid. Both parts print without supports: the body upright, the cap on its flat top. A box or an oval is refused with a short message, because it needs a round body.

I will send a pull request to Stefan next. Let me know how it prints for you!

[henmedia]

@iron-bro the bayonet lid from @marcus040473 is now merged into layerling and comes with the next release. Until then you can try it in his test version linked above. For a lamp, make the bayonet on the lower section and group the cap with the section above it; cut an opening through the cap's plate where the light or the cable has to pass.

[iron-bro]

Wow this is awesome!! Sending test prints now and will report back on how they turn out. Ngā Mihi, *Jesse Armstrong* Founder + Kaihautū / CEO at VAKA & Aki Store 022 043 3536 LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-armstrong-vaka/> www.vaka.co.nz www.akistore.co.nz

…

On Sat, 7 Nov 2026 at 21:24, marcus040473 ***@***.***> wrote: @iron-bro <https://github.com/iron-bro> thanks for the idea! The twist lock is now in my test version: https://marcus040473.github.io/?editor=1 It is a new kind in the Lid tool, *Bayonet*, so it works for a container and as a joint between two parts, such as the sections of a lamp: the lower part gets lugs on the outside of its top, the cap an L-shaped slot inside its rim for each. Set the cap on, push it down and give it a short clockwise twist until it clicks. How to use it: 1. Hollow a cylinder (or a tube, or a round pot) with the top open and select it. 2. Click *Lid* and pick *Bayonet*. 3. Set *Lugs* (2 to 4, three to begin with) and *Rim depth*, how far the cap reaches down (8 mm to begin with). The lugs are sized from the diameter, and the turn follows from their number: 45° for two, 40° for three, 30° for four. 4. To suit your printer: *Gap per side* is the room round the lugs (it starts from your fit test if you have made one), *Gap in height* the room above them, and *Detent height* how firmly it clicks (0 for no click). 5. Click *Make lid*. Both parts print without supports: the body upright, the cap on its flat top. A box or an oval is refused with a short message, because it needs a round body. [image: Pot and cap] <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/marcus040473/layerling/983c43d386ccff47bc91dc262284a13d50c38eb7/lid-bayonet/pot-and-cap.png> [image: Slot and lug] <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/marcus040473/layerling/983c43d386ccff47bc91dc262284a13d50c38eb7/lid-bayonet/slot-and-lug.png> I will send a pull request to Stefan next. Let me know how it prints for you! — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1424?email_source=notifications&email_token=A2OV633V66LOQIQDDJY3LLL5X3L2LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJUGU2TSMRYUZZGKYLTN5XKO3LFNZ2GS33OUVSXMZLOOSWGM33PORSXEX3DNRUWG2Y#discussioncomment-19455928>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A2OV635JQHDTQ3DPQWJUWTD5X3L2LAVCNFSNUABJKJSXA33TNF2G64TZHMYTGNZTGY3DAMZRGI5UI2LTMN2XG43JN5XDWMJRGI2DMOJRGCQXMAQ> . Triage notifications, keep track of coding agent tasks and review pull requests on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/ios/A2OV63ZB6PS5TR7OBJ3RRX35X3L2LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJUGU2TSMRYUZZGKYLTN5XKO3LFNZ2GS33OUVSXMZLOOSVGM33PORSXEX3JN5ZQ> and Android <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/android/A2OV6357YMTJI6HLZSNCWWD5X3L2LA5CNFSNUABIM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2ENFZWG5LTONUW63SDN5WW2ZLOOQXTCOJUGU2TSMRYUZZGKYLTN5XKO3LFNZ2GS33OUVSXMZLOOSXGM33PORSXEX3BNZSHE33JMQ>. Download it today! You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[henmedia]

@iron-bro the bayonet lid is in layerling 1.150.0, out now. It is under Lid, as the sixth kind.