<p>It sounds like you're talking about an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragm_(optics)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">iris diaphragm</a>. This has many parts that slide against each other, and would best be printed as separate parts, then assembled.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-27T16:18:58.973Z
Thingiverse also has examples of both the iris mechanism and the venus box.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-27T15:57:15.137Z
2020-02-27T15:57:15.137Z
Davo
<p>No spiral lids that I know of. I'm not sure how they would work, anyway. There are plenty of designs with hemispherical lids -- so-called "Venus" boxes. Check Yeggi:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.yeggi.com/q/venus+box/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Yeggi : Venus box</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-27T15:23:02.963Z
2020-02-27T15:23:02.963Z
Mick
<p>I want to put a spiral lid on top of a container. When the lid opens, then the spiral mechanism will rotate into the container. Is there a name for this mechanism? If not, would something like this be possible?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-27T16:55:41.437Z
Please post a drawing of what you are thinking of.  If  Iris diaphragm or "venus box" suffices, that's great, but if you'd like something more complicated we need to see it.
Carl Witthoft
<3d-models><3d-design><mechanics>
Is there a spiral lid mechanism
Mason Cruse
# Is there a spiral lid mechanism

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-27)

I want to put a spiral lid on top of a container. When the lid opens, then the spiral mechanism will rotate into the container. Is there a name for this mechanism? If not, would something like this be possible?

**Tags:** 3d-models, 3d-design, mechanics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Please post a drawing of what you are thinking of.  If  Iris diaphragm or "venus box" suffices, that's great, but if you'd like something more complicated we need to see it.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-02-27. Score: 1

It sounds like you're talking about an [iris diaphragm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragm_(optics)). This has many parts that slide against each other, and would best be printed as separate parts, then assembled.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Thingiverse also has examples of both the iris mechanism and the venus box.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2020-02-27. Score: -1

No spiral lids that I know of. I'm not sure how they would work, anyway. There are plenty of designs with hemispherical lids -- so-called "Venus" boxes. Check Yeggi:

[Yeggi : Venus box](https://www.yeggi.com/q/venus+box/)


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