UNIBox-Universal Parametric "Print-in-Place" Box

UNIBox is a fully configurable/parametric box model - you choose the dimensions, type of closure, generate it and print ... since it is designed as "Print In Place," everything is printed at once and is ready for use immediately after printing. No assembly, no extra parts needed, no hassle .. 

The model was created in Fusion360 and is available via the CUSTOMIZE function on MakerWorld (see below for details on how to use it). As you can specify the various dimensions of the box - length, width, height, etc. model will be generated exactly according to your specifications.

Five different types of "closing - locking mechanism"

While the main body of the box is the same for all types, the individual versions differ in the way they are closed and locked.

• PLAIN - The basic box has no locking mechanism. Simply snap the lid shut and you're done.
   

• HINGE - Hinge (Snaplock) box is equipped with a hinged closure consisting of "Latch/SnapLock” that snaps into place and hold the lid securely
  
  

• SLIDER - The box closure is designed with a sliding latch that locks the box lid when closed. Once slid back, the lid can be opened 
  
  

• BALL LOCK - the box closure with a fixed "Ball Lock" which, when the box is closed, snaps into its counterpart and holds the lid in the closed position.
  
  

• MAGNET LOCK - similar to the previous BallLock, but instead of a "fixed Ball", the box is closed using a magnets (size 5x3mm or 8x3mm).
  
  

Each of the above solutions has its advantages and can be used for different applications and tasks. Choose the closure method that suits you best.

Configurable parameters

You can control your UNIBox generation by entering various parameters - the images below should make it clear what each one means. Please also pay attention to the limitations for various parameters (if any) listed below.

Technical note: if the value of a parameter is limited (minimum, maximum), the entered value is automatically checked … if necesssary it is internally adjusted to the nearest correct value. Therefore, it should not happen (at least I hope) that entering nonsensical parameters will cause an error. At most, it will have different (adjusted) dimensions than you (incorrectly) entered. BTW, if this happens, there is no warning message (MW Generator simply does not support such functionality). It's just done. 
 

Tip: Please keep in mind that 3D printing has certain tolerances. A box measuring 120 mm will almost never be printed exactly 120 mm, but there will be small difference - include this in your plans…

Example: if I need to fit an object 100mm long into a box and I know that the box has walls 2mm thick... it's not entirely optimal to specify an outer box length of 104mm. I will most likely find that the item does not fit in the box (even though the my calculation was undoubtedly correct :-). It may be missing a small piece, just a smidge, but it may not fit. It is definitely better to add "a little" ... for example, enter a length of 105 or 106 mm (minus 2*2 mm for the walls) = an internal dimension of 101/102 mm already allows for error …

• BOX_Length - outer length of the box in mm.  The minimum is 60 mm and the maximum is set to 340 mm (which corresponds to the dimensions (afaik) of the largest BuildPlate for Bambu printers). 
  
  When entering this dimension, please keep in mind the dimensions of your printer and the available space for printing. For example, if you have a P1S, and the generator generates a box with a length of 300 mm, you won't be able to print it (it won't fit on the P1S BuildPlate).
  
  Important - the BOX_Length parameter also determines how many main hinges and closing mechanisms the generated box have. 
   
  • Main Hinges (on the back)  - For models up to 100 mm, the box has 2 main hinges. Longer models will have 3 hinges 
     

  • Closing mechanism - For models up to 120 mm, the box has 1 centered closing on the front (Ball Lock, Magnet, Slider, Hinge), and for longer models the box will have 2 closing mechanisms (Ball Lock, Magnet, Hinge). 
    
    The Slider model always has only 1 sliding closing mechanism (centered) on the front side, but its size/length changes dynamically according to the size of the box (to correspond proportionally - to have the correct functionality and be "aesthetically pleasing").
     

• BOX_Width - outer width of the box (mm). The minimum is 10 mm and the maximum is 150 mm.
  
  Note: explanation of the maximum limit - because the box is printed as "Print-in-Place" (all-together), the whole box (both the lid and bottom part), hinges, and, if applicable, the closing mechanism must be included in the required space. For example, for a HINGE box with a width of 150 mm, the total space required is 2*150 mm + 6 mm (hinges) + 12 mm (closing mechanism) = 318 mm (which is OK for H2 printers, but is too large for P1S, X1C, etc.)
   

• BOX_Height - outer height of the bottom part - body of the box (mm) without the Lid
• LID_Height - outer height of the top part - lid of the box (mm)
  => Therefore the Total height of the box is = Box_Height + Lid_Height
  
  The minimum value for BOX_Height is 30 mm
  For LID_Height, the minimum value is 15 mm and the maximum is BOX_Height - 10 mm
   
• Bottom_Thickness - thickness (mm) of the Bottom and Top of the box (the value is the same for both)
  The minimum is 2mm and the maximum is 10 mm
   
• Wall_Thickness - thickness (mm) of the walls - minimum is 2 mm
   

• Shelf_Height - (optional) - height of the protrusions for vertical division of the box (location of the "Extra plate/Tray").  Sometimes it is useful to have two height levels in the box - if this is your case, 4 protrusions will be generated inside the box at the specified height, on which it is then possible to place "another floor" (the optional "tray" is not part of this model... it is up to each user to design and print exactly what they need)
  
  Note: The measurement of Shelf_Height starts from the very bottom (outside) of the box (not from the Bottom inside)
  
  The minimum height of Shelf_Height is 10 mm; the maximum is the value specified for BOX_Height
  If the specified value is 0 or less than 10 mm, the protrusions for Shelf will not be generated at all
   

  
  
   

• BOX_Fit - determines the "tightness" of the "Print-in-Place" connections - specifies how tightly (what tolerance) the Main Hinges (rear) of the box will be generated, as well as the rotating closure mechanism ("latch") for the UNIBox Hinge type.
  
  
  
  0 = normal tolerance - default value
  1 = looser joint - in case the "Print-in-Place" feature does not work properly (the joints are too tight/stuck and cannot be loosened and rotated) = all rotating joints will be generated with a larger tolerance/greater relief.
  Note: use setting 1 only if  you really need it - otherwise, the rotating joints might be unnecessarily loose.

The next following parameters are only valid for models with a specific type of closure. They mostly address situations where the closing mechanism may not work perfectly - it is too tight or too loose. By setting the parameters, you can partially influence its tightness. For most users (and most materials), the optimal value is Default = 0 (keep it unless you have a reason to change it).
 

• HINGE_Fit (only valid for the UNIBox Hinge model - specifies how tight the closure mechanism - “Latch/Snaplock” is. How easy/hard it is to lock and unlock. 
   

  You can set 5 values:

  • -2  = ExtraTight
  • -1  = Tight
  •  0  = Normal (default)
  •  1   = Loose
  •  2  = Extra Loose
    
     
• BALL_Fit (only valid for models with a Ball_Lock ball joint) determines how tight the connection is via the “Ball”
  •  -1 Tighter connection
  •   0  Normal (default)
  • +1 Looser connection
     
• MAG_Size (only valid for models with Magnetic closure) - determines the size of the magnet used: 
  0 = default = generates a model for magnets measuring 5x3mm
  1 = generates for 8x3mm magnets - suitable for larger boxes where you require a stronger closure, and a larger magnet on a larger box should look more appropriate.
   

Tip: if you are printing a model with a Hinge or Ball Lock closure from a given material for the first time, it may be useful to print a small test box first before embarking on a long print of a large box. This will allow you to verify that the selected parameters HINGE_Fit or BALL_Fit value is optimal for your particular printer and material.

Tip 2: Keep in mind that you are printing the model from plastic, which will wear out over time and with use a littler bit. Therefore, a closure that may seem tight at first will become ideal over time. Conversely, one that seems ideal at first use may become unnecessarily loose over time. Keep this in mind when "searching for the optimal tightness". You can find more information and tips in the "Problems" section at the end of this description.

Material - What to print with and How

The most commonly used material will probably be PLA, which seems ideal for this type of application (in fact, it was PLA (Bambu) that was used for the development and main testing of all versions of the model). PETG should also be problem-free if you need a box with greater resistance to external influences.

"Higher" materials such as ASA, ABS, PA (nylon), PC .. can also be used, but it is necessary to have the filament correctly calibrated - with regard to the "Print in Place" mechanism used. If the material setting is "off," you may have problems with the functionality of the hinge mechanism or with the correct "clearance" for closing. In such a case, please do not blame the model (it is not at fault), but pay attention to the correct calibration of the filament/printer. 
For the sake of completeness, I would like to add that during testing, I printed model in a usable form from both ASA and PA (nylon) several times.

IMPORTANT NOTE : the CUSTOMIZE generator on MakerWorld generates a model with a standard PLA profile = the material is set to PLA with the (relatively high) printing speeds. However, if you intend to use a different material, it will be appropriate (and for some materials NECESSARY) to reduce the speed. If you are unsure, I recommend keeping and printing from the standard material setting - PLA

Support - the model is designed so that it does not need support - respectively, the versions that need it (HINGE and SLIDER) have support already integrated into the model (therefore, Support is set to OFF for Slicer, and I recommend leaving it that way). The same applies to Brim.

Using the printed model

• "Print In Place" hinge mechanism is designed to be functional immediately after printing. If it is "stuck" in your case, it is probably due to the material used, and you will need to loosen and move the hinge in a reasonable manner. Start by using only a small amount of force and then thoroughly "break in" the hinge untill works freely.
   
• Removing supports - as mentioned above, the HINGE and SLIDER versions require supports for printing and these are integrated directly into the model itself. After printing, remove them before use - they are easily recognizable by the arrows that mark them - just break them off gently
  
  
   

• Sliding Latch on the SLIDER model is the only part that is printed separately and must be slid onto the model before use. It can only be slid on from the right side (when viewed from the front), and to slide it on, you must start with the side of the latch marked with an small arrow (it cannot be slid on if turned the other way or from the other side).
   

What to print - Sample models & CUSTOMIZE Generator

The model contains one Print Profile (sample) + CUSTOMIZE option for generating a UNIBox according to your requirements.

Pre-prepared PrintProfile - contains Samples of all five types of UNIBox (each on a separate Plate). All are small sized versions. If you are not sure which of the 5 types of UNIBox is optimal for you (which type of closure will suit you best), I recommend printing this "sample" model first. Printing will take a minimum of time and material, and you can make sure it is really the right one for you, before you start generating and printing a large model.

Note: All models in this Sample PrintProfile were generated with the default settings = 0 = normal tightness.

Using the CUSTOMIZE Generator

To generate a model according to your specific requirements, use MW Generator - click on the CUSTOMIZE button 
 

In the next step, select the type of UNIBox you want to generate - PLAIN, HINGE, SLIDER, MAGNET or BALL LOck (the individual types are described above): 

After selecting a specific generator, its workspace will be displayed 

1. In the left panel, you can enter the desired parameters (for detailed explanation “what is what” see above). Note, the list of customizable parameters differs depending on UNIBox Type.
    
2. After entering the parameters, press the "GENERATE" button and wait for the model to be generated (... this may take a while - be patient)
    
3. Once generation is complete, a message and the generated model will appear  
   If necessary, you can further modify the parameters and repeat the generation process. 
   If you are satisfied with the result, you can now download the generated model in 3MF format by clicking the DOWNLOAD button
   
   
   
   The downloaded file will be named UNIBOX_<type>_Customize_Vxx
   where <type> varies depending on the type of model generator - Plain, Hinge, etc.
   Vxx is the version designation, which may change over time (e.g., V01, V02…)
    
4. Open the downloaded file in Bambu Studio and print it in the usual way...

Tip: The CUSTOMIZE generator generates a model with a standard PLA profile. This means PLA material, which corresponds to the print parameters, including the print speeds used. If you are printing from a different material (PETG, ASA, etc.), it is advisable to adjust the print speeds to match the filament used.

Important note: The generated/downloaded box is loaded into the slicer (Bambu Studio) as a single object and must also be printed as a single object. If, for any reason, you "break it down" into individual objects/parts (using the "O" - Split to Objects function), it may not print correctly !

Decoration - Logos, Text, Images

My original idea was that the generator would allow users to add text, graphics, logos, etc., to the model according to their preferences. Unfortunately, the Fusion generator on MakerWorld, in its current form, does not support anything like this. However, you can do it yourself - add anything you want - directly in the Slicer (Bambu Studio) before printing. 

In the photos of the model, you can see a few examples of how the UNIBox can be "enhanced". You can find "How-to" information online - ideally on some YouTube channels dedicated to the features of Bambu Studio (How to use/add "Text", change colors, add graphics via SVG file…)
 

Problems?

As far as I know, problems can generally arise in two situations:

• The Print-In-Place mechanism isn't printing correctly - it's either too loose or (more often) too stiff/stuck. If it is stiff, the most common cause is poor-quality or damp filament and/or (very often) incorrectly calibrated. Over-extrusion is a "kiss of death" for Print-in-Place designs. Calibrating the Flow Rate and Pressure Advance should resolve most of these issues.
  
  If you are certain that the filament is OK, you can use the appropriate parameters to address minor issues - BOX_Fit for rotating hinges or the HINGE_FIT and BALL_FIT parameters for the locking mechanisms of specific models (see the description above for more details).
  
   
• A slightly more complicated problem can arise with the HINGE model - sometimes happens the locking mechanism closes well, but there is a problem with opening it. I spent an “eternity” searching for the optimal configuration/clearance to achive ideal combo of LOCK/OPEN functions. But it turned out that it’s probably impossible to be 100% certain that it will always work perfectly everywhere…
  
  Reasons: The differences that plays a role here can be less then 0.1 mm = yes, one-tenth of a millimeter (approx. 4 thousandths of an inch). And in the same moment the standard layer height for printing is 0.2 mm (i.e., twice). Moreover, we print with molten plastic, which frankly isn’t exactly the most precise technology (at least when we’re talking about such details). Even the way the model is generated may also play a role - an online web generator might use completely different Mesh settings than my local Fusion 360. This doesn’t matter for larger models, but with such fine details, it can have some impact ...
  
  Here’s a “Secret Tip” :-) for an easy fix: if your only issue is that the Hinge closes/locks fine but opens too “stiffly” I recommend “adjusting” the contact surfaces by hand. Just run a fine-grit file (or knife) over them a few times - FEW times … it really doesn't take much - and the mechanism will work differently (OK). Sometimes it’s not even about removing material, but rather “smoothing” it out.

That's all, folks, at least I think so … I hope you like UNIBox and, above all, that you find it useful 

To be honest, this model gave me quite a bit of work - what started as a very simple design of a single box just for me, eventually turned into a fully parametric model for the public - which is a completely different task in terms of complexity. Not only the development, but mainly in terms of testing all possible combinations. And then fine-tuning it so that it would work as reliably as possible not only directly in Fusion on my Mac, but also on MakerWorld Generator (not an entirely simple task). In addition, every change and every new idea meant repeating almost all the testing from scratch .. 

… several rolls of filament "disappeared somewhere" during that time, and I have printed test boxes lying around everywhere at my home :-) Believe me... there are really a lot of boxes here ... right now, I don't really know what to do with all of them :-)
 

So, if you like the UNIBox, let me know ... comment, like, send the photo … it will make me happy :-)