Magnetic Socket Organiser - Parametric OpenSCAD

Updated 17 July 2024 - Support for Multi Colour printing

I was inspired by the concept of BuildBug's socket holders created in Fusion 360  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4696546 . But after a day messing around with Fusion 360 ( I'm not an experienced user ) I realised I wasn't going to be able to create my own Fusion 360 socket holders. I did find this OpenSCAD model https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4853582 however it lacked some of the fearures of BuildBug's . So I embarked on creating an OpenSCAD model.

So, what is it

• parameterised socket holder
• uses magnets to hold the sockets in place ( optional if you don't want magnets )
• baseplate to cover the magnets 
• can be spilt in half if its too big for your printer

To use you need the socket diameter, depth and description. OpenSCAD then builds a model that can be exported as a STL file to your slicer.

Using OpenSCAD 

• download OpenSCAD  https://openscad.org/downloads.html
• open the  .scad file  
• make any changes you need
• Use F5 to preview the model or via the menu Design/Preview 
• Once you are happy with the model use F6 to Render the model or via the menu Design/Render 
• Use F7 to Export the STL or via the menu File/Export/STL

You can find shortcuts for preview, render and STL on the menu bar 

Customising the Model

• The main thing you will need to  setup are the socket width, depth, and text label. Its a OpenSCAD matrix. Have a look at the some of example scad files for more details. The Matrix looks like this: [ [ 1, 2, 3 ] ,  [ 4, 5, 6 ] ] . Which creates two steps with 1 2 3 on the first step and 4 5 6 on the second step. If you only want one step it would look like [ [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ] ]
• There's a bunch of options for raised or sunken text, size of magnets,  chamfered steps or set the chamfer to 0 for square steps.
• If you need to understand  the OpenSCAD language start here with the Cheat Sheet 

Example of Chamfer set to 0 for Square Steps:

Magnets

The Magnets are used to hold the sockets in place and if you want to make the socket organiser itself stick to a metal surface.

Use N35 or the stronger N50 Neodymium Disc Magnet. The files use 10mm, 15mm and 20mm diameter magnets, get whatever thickness you can e.g. 2mm or 3mm.  The Magnets work best when they are about 1.5mm from the socket . Use some cardboard between a socket and the magnets to test how many and what size magnets you need. 

Stack multiple magnets together if you find they are not holding the heavier sockets in place. 

To make the organiser stick to a metal surface you will need to place some magnets flush with the base, to do this you may need to pack out the magnet holes.

This Magnet Placer helps get all the magnet poles the same way https://www.printables.com/model/485608-magnet-placer-parametric-remix

Print the socket holder

You print the socket holder and base by commenting out the one you don't want. Then Render using F6 and export the STL using F7

CreateSocketHolder(); // Create the socket holder

//CreateBase( 1.5 ); // Create the base 1.5mm thick

Print the base

Comment out the CreateSocketHolder() module and uncomment CreateBase(). Then Render using F6 and export the STL using F7

//CreateSocketHolder(); // Create the socket holder

CreateBase( 1.5 ); // Create the base 1.5mm thick

Split the model if its too large for your printer

You first need to work out where you want to split the model. If you have 2 ( or more steps ) you will probably need to add a some space between the sockets.

First create the left section by uncommenting SplitLeftJoiner( joinlocation),  step_length/2 is the middle of the model and below I have added 5mm to avoid splitting a large socket hole.

joinlocation = step_length / 2 + 12;
//CreateSocketHolder(); // Create the socket holder
//CreateBase( 1.5 ); // Create the base
SplitLeftJoiner( joinlocation ); // Split the model, create the left section
//SplitRightJoiner( joinlocation ); // Split the model, create the right section
 

If you cannot split it easily,  you may need to add a gap between sockets. To do this create a socket with 0 depth and no label. Below adds a 5mm gap.

I found the right side of the split imports into the Prusaslicer with a phantom empty bit of the left part of the model. I had to cut in the slicer before I can slice it. Maybe an issue with the way I'm splitting the model, or a problem with OpenSCAD .

I recommend using paint on supports for the joiner male and female side.

I also recommnend viewing the timelapse gcode built in the slicer to ensure the hidden part joiner is not encroaching on a socket hole.

You may have to file the joiners - which will help rough up the surface for the glue. Glue using superglue or Scigrip Weld-On 16.

Split the base using the  slicer at different split location than the model,  so the model and base are joined at different places. 

Printing 

I use

• PLA
• 15% infill
• No supports ( ignore any error about overhangs )
• Ironing All Top Surfaces

Multi Colour Printing

You can print the text and body in different colours by exporting them as seperate STL files and combining the STLs in PrusaSlicer

Refer to this part of the OpenSCAD file for your socket holder

// all , text , body 
//multi_material = "all";
//multi_material = "text";
//multi_material = "body";

1. Run OpenSCAD with multi_material = “text"  and save the STL ( F6 followed by F7 )
2. Run again with multi_material = "body" and save the STL
3. In PrusaSlicer import both STLs and answer Yes to the Prompt
4. Set the Colours for each part

OpenSCAD Errors

If you are getting an OpenSCAD error

• Download all the files
• Start with one of the existing models Metric-0.5-Drive.scad and render it
• A common issue is the file structure, and the include file parametricsocket.scad . Please see Files below
• You modify the config file e.g. Metric-0.5-Drive.scad and render it
• The config file e.g. Metric-0.5-Drive.scad uses the include file parametricsocket.scad
• You will get errors if you try and render the include file parametricsocket.scad

Files

The file structure looks like this:  

In this example the socket config file Metric-0.5-Drive.scad  expects the include file parametricsocket.scad up one folder ( include <../parametricsocket.scad> ) .