Octo-box

myminifactory

My original creation, an 8-leaf (double layer) iris box, employs a linked mechanism reminiscent of expanding sphere toys, allowing it to open to a large diameter. In fact, any number of leaves can be used for this type of mechanism, and numerous variations can be made. The mechanism utilizes printed ridged pins and holes that clip together seamlessly. I have since designed many other iris boxes, which you can find on my profile page, including improved versions of this design: Octo-box V2 and Octo-Iris Box. These designs showcase enhanced functionality and sleeker aesthetics. The box measures 80mm in overall diameter, while the container opening is approximately 62mm. It opens by pushing the notches in the top of the box in an anti-clockwise direction. No supports are required for any of the parts, ensuring a hassle-free printing experience. The hinges of the mechanism use ridged pins and holes that clip together efficiently. To achieve optimal results, it is crucial to print the hinge and pin sections with 0.1mm layer heights. Using adjustable layer heights in your slicer will allow you to print the majority of the parts at a thicker layer height for speed. However, the effectiveness of these hinges may depend on your specific printer and print settings. They should not be too tight or too loose. You can use contour xy compensation (IdeaMaker is a free slicer that does this) or adjust your flow rate to fine-tune the fit for the hinges. The tolerance on the hinges is 0.15mm. 'Top door 1' is a plain iris leaf for the top of the box, while 'top door 2' features an iris leaf with a notch cut out for opening the box. I recommend printing at least two of 'top door 2' and arranging them on opposite sides of the box to facilitate ease of opening. You may add more if you wish, such as four or eight. Part testing is crucial before assembling the entire model. I suggest printing one upper and lower door with the settings you expect to use for the whole model to test them. The hinges on the points of the doors are slightly smaller than the others, so be sure not to mix them up when testing. Printing and assembly require printing 8x 'top door', 8x 'lower door', 8x 'link', and 1x 'container'. You may need some pliers or similar to clip the hinges together. Begin by assembling the iris mechanism (refer to the exploded diagram). It's ideal if the iris is assembled in the partly open position, as it can be challenging to close if assembled in the fully open position and the hinges are still stiff. Next, push the link pins into the container (this may require a significant amount of force depending on tolerances). Finally, clip the links to the bottom iris doors. Your Octo-Box should now be fully functional! If you have any questions or difficulties with the design, please don't hesitate to reach out.