Catalac Hinge

thingiverse

This file generates two types of hinges to replace the original low-quality Catalac (Catamaran) hinges on lockers made from thin ABS. One type is a basic triangular hinge designed for economy by reusing a single part, but this leaves the hinge weak. The other style is the T-style hinge, which features a cleaner design but still lacks strength and is overly thin. A highly customizable generic hinge generator allows users to modify the hinge elements by specifying the number of slots on the larger hinge, which has a cylinder and pin hole at both ends. Clearances can also be set for radial and axial directions, and the hinge body can be offset from the cylinder while maintaining original hole positions. All hole positions are calculated and verified. My recommendation is to make the part stronger than the original by increasing its thickness. The webbing on this design already provides added strength compared to the original, so it makes sense to optimize it for durability. The program places the hinge pair with a small clearance between them but can be modified to print one section at a time to better utilize printer bed space. Please note that this is not an all-purpose hinge and can be adapted to one by reducing webbing height. As it stands, the webbing restricts movement, trading flexibility for added strength. In this application, lockers open up just over 90 degrees without any restrictions. Print settings are as follows: Printer: CatalacHinge Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: No Resolution: .2 Notes: Use UV-rated filament since it's intended for outdoor use. ABS and PLA are not suitable choices, while PETG is a better option. How I designed this file was by removing the original hinges and measuring them with digital calipers. The most challenging part in programming was accurately representing the slots and lands on the hinge cylinder. Complications arose from considering axial and radial clearances as well as incorporating webbing to reinforce the hinge to the cylinder. I went through two different revisions before settling on this design, which provided the best model with minimal artifacts and maximum versatility.