Dodeca-Iris Box

myminifactory

This is an updated version of my 'Dodeca-box V2' iris box featuring a new easy-opening twist collar that eliminates the need for an opening handle on top, allowing for more decorative features to be added. The box measures 80mm tall and 80mm in diameter and opens by twisting the collar counterclockwise. The container opening is 62mm in diameter, and the iris opens almost wider than the container itself, with no support material required for this design. Many other iris boxes are available on my profile page. In addition to printed parts, this design requires M2x6 countersunk/flathead screws to assemble; 60 screws are needed for one box. Larger or smaller screws can be used if you scale the model appropriately, such as M3x8 screws at 150% part scale. Note that buying in bulk from a specialist supplier is significantly cheaper per screw. There are two versions of the container: the standard-sized container and the shortened container, which brings the overall height down to 48mm. The pattern on the yellow container was created using the velocity painting technique on the standard container; many excellent guides are available online for this process. The triangular pattern was designed by rawpixel.com / Freepik. Three types of door designs are included with the box: The plain 'door' is completely flat and used on the silver/gold/black box. The decorative door 'top door mech' has an embossed embellishment on top of the doors, with a multimaterial version denoted by 'mm' in the file name, shown on the gold/silver/yellow example. These can be made with a single nozzle printer using the multi-pass printing technique; Devin Montes has created an excellent tutorial on how to do this. The 'hole' parts have the same pattern as the 'mech' parts but with panels cut all the way through, creating a framework-type appearance, as shown on the black/white example. Two types of opening collar are included: 'collar 1' has six dimples for gripping the collar, used on the black/white box, and 'collar 2' has twelve dimples, used on the other containers. Part testing Before printing all the parts, ensure the screw joints work correctly with your print settings. Print one 'door top' and one 'door base' part, checking that screws fit tightly in the holes of the 'door top' but are free to rotate in the 'door base' holes, with the head flush with the bottom surface. You may need to use hole XY compensation (Ideamaker is a free slicer that does this) to get a good fit. Assembly Instructions To assemble one box, print: 1x 'container' or 'short container', 1x 'collar 1' or 'collar 2', 6x 'link 1', 6x 'link 2', 12x 'door base' of any type, and 12x 'door top' of any type. No support material is required for these parts; you will also need 60 M2x6 countersunk/flathead screws. Firstly, screw the non-pointed end of the longer links (link 1) to the collar, ensuring they are the correct way around. Then place the collar assembly onto the container. Next, screw the smaller end of the smaller links (link 2) to the holes in the container, making sure they are the correct way around. This should hold the collar assembly securely but still allow it to rotate. Next, assemble all the 'door' parts into the iris with screws. It is easier to assemble it in the closed iris position and keep the screws straight to make the assembled top neat. Do not overtighten the screws, as this will make it difficult to open the box. I generally tighten them all the way and then untighten them half a turn. This iris mechanism should now open and close fully. Now, take the container assembly and flip it upside down, placing it onto the base of the iris mechanism. Screw the larger end of the small links (link 2) to the inner holes on the 'base' doors, ensuring they are distributed evenly around the mechanism, one every other base door. Then, take the longer links and screw them to the outer holes on the same doors where the other links (link 2) are attached. The box is now fully assembled! The box should close by twisting the collar clockwise; it may be a bit stiff at first. If you encounter any problems with this design, let me know and I'll try to help out as soon as possible.