I decided I needed to make some gift boxes and this is the first one. I think it is fun and entertaining but functional at the same time. This box locks and there is no key to open it. But you do need to know the secret… centrifugal force.
A series of weights inside the lid slide freely back and forth based on the boxes orientation (and gravity). Randomly at least one will always be forward (towards the centre of the lid). And, as long as one is forward, the lid can not be opened. So the secret is to spin the box which creates a centrifugal force moving all the weights to the outside (away from the centre). This frees up the centre sprocket to spin which the bow on top of the gift box is turned.
The ribbons and bow as well as all of the smaller mechanical parts print separately so you can colour the gift box however you want and do not need an AMS.
Inside the box is approximately 11cm x 11cm x 11cm (4.3″ x 4.3″ x 4.3″).
I have included some exploded diagrams to help show the inner workings but ultimately my video is needed to demonstrate how to build it.
On the main box, the side ribbons snap/lock into place and can not be removed once installed. This was intentional so that the user does not feel tempted to try to enter the gift box by any other means than the removal of the lid.
Printing
Your default slicer settings should be ok with the design except for the pegs and the hinge components. I recommend printing those with thicker walls and 100% infill for added strength.
This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height and the following settings:
- Wall Line Count = 2 ( 2 x 0.4mm = 0.8mm walls )
- Top and Bottom Layer Count = 3 ( 3 x 0.2mm = 0.6mm top and bottom )
- Material = PLA or PETG (any material should work)
- Line width = 0.4mm
- Wall count = minimum 2 (0.8mm)
- Top and Bottom Layer Count = minimum 3
- Infill = 15%
- Detect Thin Walls = ON (this is IMPORTANT)
- Ironing = Not required
- Brim = NO (a brim can complicate details of print-in-place parts and parts printed close together – but you can add it if needed)
- Support = No
- PRINT ORIENTATION: As per STL files
Assembly Notes
Print support is incorporated into the lid (as illustrated) so be sure to remove that before attempting to assemble the gift box.
Assembly itself is fairly intuitive but I defer to my video rather than attempting to illustrate it step by step.
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