Auto-Closing Stacking Drawers for 20mm V-Rail Framed 3D Printers
Introduction: Auto-Closing Stacking Drawers for 20mm V-Rail Framed 3D Printers
UPDATE: 07 April 2021:
STL files posted, see last step.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This project was inspired by:
1. Instructables Member <PERSON> and his Multicolored Organizer Project
2. Thingiverse member <PERSON> and her Stacking Drawer Design
My mashup of those two ideas aims to create ample and organized space for small items all within easy to reach, easy to access, and easy to identify storage drawers intended for 3D printers using 20mm V-Rail as part of their frame like my Creality Ender 5 Pro.
Only two items must be purchased (skateboard wheel bearings and clear plastic rounds), while the rest of the parts are created by the 3D printer itself or should be on hand (like rubber bands). Auto-Closing is accomplished by a standard size rubber band and attachment to the V-Rail is through standard 5mm T-Nuts.
This Instructable is an entry in the Simple Machines Contest. Please vote if you like it.
(This auto-closing drawer design is an example of a simple machine featuring Elastic Energy, Torque, and Rotational Work. It best aligns with a "Wheel & Axle" simple machine per the contest guidelines.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Project Summary
Supplies
Step 1: Requirements & Desirements
Step 2: Design
Step 3: Illustrated Parts List & Features
Step 4: 3D Printing
Step 5: Post Processing the 3D Printed Parts
Step 6: Build Step I: Gather all Parts
Step 7: Build Step II: Install Windows
Step 8: Build Step III: Mount Base to V-Rail
Step 9: Build Step IV: Install Pivot Pin
Step 10: Build Step V: Install First Bearing
Step 11: Build Step VI: Install Drawer
Step 12: Build Step VII: Install Second Bearing
Step 13: Build Step VIII: Attach Rubber Band
Step 14: Build Step XIV: Repeat Steps I-VIII for Next Level
Step 15: Validation
Step 16: FINISHED
Supplies
MATERIALS:
1. Skateboard Bearings (608ZZ) (Quantity 2 Per Drawer)
2. 40mm Clear Acrylic Rounds (Quantity 4 Per Drawer)
3. 5mm Panhead Screws & T-Nuts (Quantity 2 EA Per Drawer)
4. Rubber Bands (Size #32 - 3" X 1/8") (Quantity 1 Per Drawer)
TOOLS:
1. 3D Printer
2. Allen Wrench For The 5mm Screws
3. Standard Shop/Hand Tools For Post Processing The 3D Prints (Supports Are Required)
SOFTWARE:
1. Autodesk's Fusion 360 (Used To Create The Design)
2. Ultimaker's Cura Or Other Slicer (For Slicing The Files To Your Specific Printer)
3. Luxion's Keyshot (Used To Create Realistic Renders like the image with the Instructable Trademarked Logo)
4. 858
Corel's Video Studio (Used to Create Short Time-Lapse Videos From Still Shots)
5. Adobe's Photoshop (For Photo Editing)
6. Microsoft's PowerPoint (For Image Labeling)
Step 1: Requirements & Desirements
Here's a list of requirements and desirements in no specific order:
1. Drawers can not impede the operation of or normal access to the printer
2. Drawers should have a feature to keep them closed
3. Since they stack, having a feature to see what's inside would be desirable
4. Minimize need for purchase parts
5. Maximize number of 3D printed parts
6. Minimize cost
7. Use a variety of filament colors to maximize visual appeal (or use for categorization, ex. Blue Drawer = Q-Tips)
8. Include a feature to temporarily hold a drawer in the open position
9. Size the drawer such that the design can fit on a variety of printers (not be specific to only my printer)
10. Size the drawer's internal space to fit some of the most common tools frequently needed while 3D printing
11. Make the design compatible to be either Left or Right Handed
Step 2: Design
I continue to enjoy working with Autodesk's Fusion 360 for all my personal design projects. (I wish I could use it for work, but am still stuck with CREO). Even with the great value of the free hobbyist license, I use it so much and wanted some of the extra features that come with a full license I recently made the purchase. 737