Dishwasher Handle for Amana (parametrized)

thingiverse

This is an improved, better fitting version of my previous dishwasher handle. A major effort was done to build the model in OpenScad around the previous Tinkercad "add/erase building blocks" model. I apologize for the messy coding. By the time I built is, I was too worn down to go back and standardized the translations to the origin and put in pretty variables. But if you don't mind working in hard coded parameters, you should be able to use this file to adjust the sizing and spacing of the critical parts so that this can be used to make a grab latch part for any dishwasher using this pull-to-pop-lock type front facing handle. The manufacturers of this design are an greedy evil bunch. They know this part will fail due to design stress but they don't make it economical to fix. They try to sell as a $50 replacement assembly, and they make very slight modifications to make sure that as models get older they can discontinue the part forcing you to buy a new dishwasher! Now you don't have to. Because you can use this model and a bit of experimentation to make one that fits your dishwasher! In the previous repair, the part was printed in PLA with 100% infill using a .4 nozzle, .35 line width and .2 layer height. That one lasted 2+ years. This time I tried with 75% infill and the first part failed within 24 hours; the poroblem is layer delamination at the shoulder tabs under stress. So I went back and printed with a .8 nozzle using .8 line width and .2 layer height @ 75%. The second one felt much more solid and is still working for now. But ideally this part should be printed in ABS, because the hot steam over time will cause the PLA to warp and weaken a bit. That's not what killed my 2 year old first one (it was rough handling by a guest), but on inspection the old PLA part had noticeable bending. If you print with ABS, do so with settings that will maximize your layer adhesion. I don't have an enclosed printer and my attempt at printing this part in ABS produced a very strong part in 1 dimension, but unfortunately not the one that mattered (the layers at the shoulder pins).