MakerBot/assembly of iris box

Target Audience

Someone printing thingiverse iris box.

Starting Point

Have printed the parts successfully, want to assemble.

Replication Goal

Turn the cog wheel and the iris petals all move out of the way, but the lid doesn't shake open.

Procedure Inspect

• 
  leaf groove slides on box numb
• 
  screw head travels in channel
• 
  screw head goes through leaf hole and tightens into bottom of the lid

Check that the leaves, box and lid formed ok. The leaf groove slides on a box numb in an arc determined by the leaf groove. The leaf hole moves in a different path determined by the circle of the box. Twisting the lid causes these two points to rotate the leaves. youtube Video

Procedure Assemble

• 
  Check the numbs. One was missing so inserted screw and cut off head.
• 
  Save metal screws. Small screws made in PLA are not that strong.
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  insert screws into the lid bottom to make easier assembly in the future
• 
  tape leaves together so they will stay in position
• 
  turn everything upside down, align the holes
• 
  put box on, drop screws down holes and tighten
• 
  take the tape off
• 
  test .. loosen or tighten screws until perfect

1. The makerbot can knock off the numbs when making the bottom box. In this case a screw was inserted into the PLA where the numb was knocked off. Then the screw head was cut off with a dremel. The dremel caused the screw to heat up and melt the PLA. The PLA and screw were cooled in position with water. Water can cause the PLA to degrade, so care was taken to not soak anything. In the future, dremel, then run cold water over the screw head until cold. Go slow.
2. Select screws
3. The base has long holes in it coming up from the bottom. The holes are not tapered, so screw can have a head on it. Don't push screws down into the holes, find big head that still rattles down the hole and doesn't come out the top.
4. Tape leaves together so they will stay in position
5. Turn everything upside down, take base off, align holes in lid and leaves
6. Put the box on upside down, drop screws into the holes and tighten
7. Take the tape off and test ... loosen or tighen screws until perfect