CanCage II

myminifactory

Something's gone wrong for me... Second try! I'm entering the "Fueling Innovation 3D Design Competition" with my design for a canholder that turns a stay-tab can into a reusable one. This canholder clips onto backpacks, laptop bags, or other gear using a carabiner. My canholder is designed to showcase 3D printing at public petrol stations, where the sponsor will display it in a unique cabinet. I propose building a display case inspired by vintage gas pumps from the 1920s. Inside this cabinet, a "Kossel mini"-style Deltaprinter will be visible from all sides, keeping fingers safe from hotends. The base of the cabinet provides space for power supplies, spare filament rolls, and a scraper. All parts fit within a compact build volume of Ø 100 mm x 140 mm height, making it suitable for micro delta printers like the "RepRapPro Fisher 1" or RichRap's "3DR Delta". The canholder is sealed with two o-rings: one Ø 42x3 mm and another Ø 32x3 mm. The larger o-ring seals the central part at the inside diameter of the top can, which has a precise fit for different 250ml cans. The smaller o-ring secures the lid. Standard metric fine threads are used: M60 x 1.5 mm for the main thread and M30 x 1.5 mm for the lid thread. An Esso logo on the carabiner serves as an end stop, preventing overbending and breakage. Pressing the carabiner opens it wide enough to insert the canholder handle. I designed the parts without bridging, brim, or raft, reducing cleaning needs. The "Can Cage" name reflects my goal of creating something useful for many people, not just a niche product. I hope this design excites the sponsor and MyMiniFactory team! Thanks for the contest – it was 3 weeks of fun tinkering, printing, and experimenting. Best regards, Bernd N. (Pantah) The green parts are test prints from an old filament spool, used to check fit and feel as a printed part. The center section is Ø 52 mm with a slot for sandpaper to clean the bore. I adjusted the diameter by inserting paper under the sandpaper until it fit smoothly around cans up to 53.3 mm in diameter – slightly larger than the designer's template for a 250ml can.