Pocket Radio Box

Howdy, wonderful people!

While multimaterial printers are getting more accessible all the time it's still very satisfying to work out how to achieve a multi-colour print with just a regular normal printer. And for that there are two primary techniques: post-print-assemblies and filament changes by layer.

This cheerfully-retro-styled radio box has both those techniques at play!

But first, what is this model, anyway?

Well, it's a box with a sliding panel that uses magnetic latching to hold it closed. And on the outside it looks like a retro-styled personal radio! Meanwhile, the inside reveals the secrets of construction, with bolts visible for holding the strap in place, holding the side dial in, and for securing the tuning panel. Ah, yes, the tuning panel - as you've probably noticed, that's the part that uses filament swapping for achieving a fancy multi-colour result!

Basically, the detail on the panel is set at 0.4mm increments, so if you're printing with 0.2mm layers, you'll want to swap filaments so that:

Everything below the top 6 layers is the background colour

The next 2 layers are the text (in this case, white)

The 2 layers after that are the graphic strip in the middle (blue, here)

And the final 2 layers are the indicator needle (pink in the prints here.

Magnets

I originally wrote "optional magnets" here, but this model is far better with them! You'll need 8 of our favourite 6mm x 3mm cylindrical magnets.

Print Description

This model is assembled from parts, mostly using threaded bolts, so make sure things are nice and neat so that things fit together properly :)

Print Dimensions

The main body is 37mm x 70mm on the print bed and 110mm tall.

Supports Needed?

Not at all!  Designed for straightforward printing!

Scalability

Scaling should work as long as two things are kept in mind:

The magnets will no longer fit

Threaded parts may become too loose, and may need to be scaled slightly larger.

Print Orientation

The main body of the radio prints standing upright, the rear panel prints back-down, the bolts print upside-down, and the tuning panel prints flat with the text facing up.

Further Thoughts

Oh, yes, the strap! I really like the way that came out, but it ultimately provides the illusion of a flexible strap despite the reality of inflexible, hard materials. But of course, there's nothing stopping you just printing it in a flexible filament and making the illusion a reality! :)

Happy printing!

xoxo

Sven.

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459 Pocket Radio Box