printableBox

Parametric openSCAD 3d-printable box generator e.g. electronics case with rounded edges, two shells, an overlapping lid.

Example

Sample box with screws, cutouts and ribs (all optional features)

To run, open "main.scad" in openSCAD and preview or render.

Features

• Box geometry is freely adjustable in main.scad.

• Any number of screws can be placed freely (also merged into a rounded edge or corner)

• Cutouts can be placed on top and bottom side, e.g. for switches, ventilation or just a cool swiss-cheese effect (=to speed up test prints)

• Internal ribs can be placed individually, e.g. where box contents allow

Clipping

Quite a bit more complex than originally envisioned - it's just a box, right? Right...

But, hopefully correct: screw boss pads don't stick out, screw heads merge into the wall, cutouts remove ribs underneath.

Code / implementation notes

Design information is passed in as a hash table.

"ScrewBoss.scad" shows a reusable module with test cases that gets its input from a shared data structure, identified by a prefix (e.g. if a design needs to use screw bosses of different size)

Test prints

No real issues in half a dozen test prints at different design stages (Prusa Core One, Structural 0.15 mm in PETG).

Lessons learned:

• Use the shortest practical thread length. If longer screws have to be used, the "shank" setting provides a non-threaded hole for most of the screw length (which creates less stress on the screw boss and is more convenient to assemble).
• Shells may not be joined by force, as the final corner may splinter. Slightly breaking each shell's corners (outside-/inside) with a carpet knife avoids this problem.
• Assembly technique tends to improve with practice :-)
• Strategically placed ribs will significantly improve stiffness.