Modules for joining separately printed parts including screw together, snap-together and dovetails.

To use, add the following lines to the beginning of your file:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>

1. Section: Half Joiners

   • half_joiner_clear() – Creates a mask to clear space for a half_joiner(). ^{[Geom] [VNF]}
   • half_joiner() – Creates a half-joiner shape to mate with a half_joiner2() shape.. ^{[Geom] [VNF]}
   • half_joiner2() – Creates a half_joiner2 shape to mate with a half_joiner() shape.. ^{[Geom] [VNF]}

2. Section: Full Joiners

   • joiner_clear() – Creates a mask to clear space for a joiner() shape. ^[Geom]
   • joiner() – Creates a joiner shape that can mate with another rotated joiner shape. ^[Geom]

3. Section: Dovetails

   • dovetail() – Creates a possibly tapered dovetail shape. ^[Geom]

4. Section: Tension Clips

   • snap_pin() – Creates a snap-pin that can slot into a snap_pin_socket() to join two parts. ^[Geom]
   • snap_pin_socket() – Creates a snap-pin socket for a snap_pin() to slot into. ^[Geom]
   • rabbit_clip() – Creates a rabbit-eared clip that can snap into a slot. ^[Geom]

Synopsis: Creates a mask to clear space for a half_joiner(). ^{[Geom] [VNF]}

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: half_joiner(), half_joiner2(), joiner_clear(), joiner(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip(), dovetail()

Usage: As Module

• half_joiner_clear(l, w, [ang=], [clearance=], [overlap=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Usage: As Function

• vnf = half_joiner_clear(l, w, [ang=], [clearance=], [overlap=]);

Description:

Creates a mask to clear an area so that a half_joiner can be placed there.

Arguments:

Example 1:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
half_joiner_clear();

Synopsis: Creates a half-joiner shape to mate with a half_joiner2() shape.. ^{[Geom] [VNF]}

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: half_joiner_clear(), half_joiner2(), joiner_clear(), joiner(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip(), dovetail()

Usage: As Module

• half_joiner(l, w, [base=], [ang=], [screwsize=], [$slop=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Usage: As Function

• vnf = half_joiner(l, w, [base=], [ang=], [screwsize=], [$slop=]);

Description:

Creates a half_joiner object that can be attached to a matching half_joiner2 object.

Arguments:

Example 1:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
half_joiner(screwsize=3);

Example 2:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
half_joiner(l=20,w=10,base=10);

Example 3:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff()
cuboid(40)
    attach([FWD,TOP,RIGHT])
        xcopies(20) half_joiner();

Synopsis: Creates a half_joiner2 shape to mate with a half_joiner() shape.. ^{[Geom] [VNF]}

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: half_joiner_clear(), half_joiner(), joiner_clear(), joiner(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip(), dovetail()

Usage: As Module

• half_joiner2(l, w, [base=], [ang=], [screwsize=])

Usage: As Function

• vnf = half_joiner2(l, w, [base=], [ang=], [screwsize=])

Description:

Creates a half_joiner2 object that can be attached to half_joiner object.

Arguments:

Example 1:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
half_joiner2(screwsize=3);

Example 2:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
half_joiner2(w=10,base=10,l=20);

Example 3:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff()
cuboid(40)
    attach([FWD,TOP,RIGHT])
        xcopies(20) half_joiner2();

Synopsis: Creates a mask to clear space for a joiner() shape. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: half_joiner_clear(), half_joiner(), half_joiner2(), joiner(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip(), dovetail()

Usage:

• joiner_clear(l, w, [ang=], [clearance=], [overlap=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Description:

Creates a mask to clear an area so that a joiner can be placed there.

Arguments:

Example 1:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
joiner_clear();

Synopsis: Creates a joiner shape that can mate with another rotated joiner shape. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: half_joiner_clear(), half_joiner(), half_joiner2(), joiner_clear(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip(), dovetail()

Usage:

• joiner(l, w, base, [ang=], [screwsize=], [$slop=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Description:

Creates a joiner object that can be attached to another joiner object.

Arguments:

Example 1:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
joiner(screwsize=3);

Example 2:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
joiner(l=40, w=10, base=10);

Example 3:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff()
cuboid(50)
  attach([FWD,TOP,RIGHT])
    zrot_copies(n=2,r=15)
      joiner();

Synopsis: Creates a possibly tapered dovetail shape. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: joiner(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip()

Usage:

• dovetail(gender, w=|width, h=|height, slide|thickness=, [slope=|angle=], [taper=|back_width=], [chamfer=], [r=|radius=], [round=], [extra=], [$slop=])

Description:

Produces a possibly tapered dovetail joint shape to attach to or subtract from two parts you wish to join together. The tapered dovetail is particularly advantageous for long joints because the joint assembles without binding until it is fully closed, and then wedges tightly. You can chamfer or round the corners of the dovetail shape for better printing and assembly, or choose a fully rounded joint that looks more like a puzzle piece. The dovetail appears parallel to the Y axis and projecting upwards, so in its default orientation it will slide together with a translation in the positive Y direction. The gender determines whether the shape is meant to be added to your model or differenced, and it also changes the anchor and orientation. The default anchor for dovetails is BOTTOM; the default orientation depends on the gender, with male dovetails oriented UP and female ones DOWN. The dovetails by default have extra extension of 0.01 for unions and differences. You should ensure that attachment is done with overlap=0 to ensure that the sizing and positioning is correct. To adjust the fit, use the $slop variable, which increases the depth and width of the female part of the joint to allow a clearance gap of $slop on each of the three sides.

Arguments:

Example 1: Ordinary straight dovetail, male version (sticking up) and female version (below the xy plane)

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
dovetail("male", width=15, height=8, slide=30);
right(20) dovetail("female", width=15, height=8, slide=30);

Example 2: Adding a 6 degree taper (Such a big taper is usually not necessary, but easier to see for the example.)

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
dovetail("male", w=15, h=8, slide=30, taper=6);
right(20) dovetail("female", 15, 8, 30, taper=6);  // Same as above

Example 3: A block that can link to itself

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff()
  cuboid([50,30,10]){
    attach(BACK) dovetail("male", slide=10, width=15, height=8);
    tag("remove")attach(FRONT) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=15, height=8);
  }

Example 4: Setting the dovetail angle. This is too extreme to be useful.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff()
  cuboid([50,30,10]){
    attach(BACK) dovetail("male", slide=10, width=15, height=8, angle=30);
    tag("remove")attach(FRONT) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=15, height=8, angle=30);
  }

Example 5: Adding a chamfer helps printed parts fit together without problems at the corners

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff("remove")
  cuboid([50,30,10]){
    attach(BACK) dovetail("male", slide=10, width=15, height=8, chamfer=1);
    tag("remove")attach(FRONT) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=15, height=8,chamfer=1);
  }

Example 6: Rounding the outside corners is another option

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff("remove")
cuboid([50,30,10]) {
    attach(BACK)  dovetail("male", slide=10, width=15, height=8, radius=1, $fn=32);
    tag("remove") attach(FRONT) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=15, height=8, radius=1, $fn=32);
}

Example 7: Or you can make a fully rounded joint

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
$fn=32;
diff("remove")
cuboid([50,30,10]){
    attach(BACK) dovetail("male", slide=10, width=15, height=8, radius=1.5, round=true);
    tag("remove")attach(FRONT) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=15, height=8, radius=1.5, round=true);
}

Example 8: With a long joint like this, a taper makes the joint easy to assemble. It will go together easily and wedge tightly if you get the tolerances right. Specifying the taper with back_width may be easier than using a taper angle.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
cuboid([50,30,10])
  attach(TOP) dovetail("male", slide=50, width=18, height=4, back_width=15, spin=90);
fwd(35)
  diff("remove")
    cuboid([50,30,10])
      tag("remove") attach(TOP) dovetail("female", slide=50, width=18, height=4, back_width=15, spin=90);

Example 9: A series of dovetails forming a tail board, with the inside of the joint up. A standard wood joint would have a zero taper.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
cuboid([50,30,10])
  attach(BACK) xcopies(10,5) dovetail("male", slide=10, width=7, taper=4, height=4);

Example 10: Mating pin board for a half-blind right angle joint, where the joint only shows on the side but not the front. Note that the anchor method and use of spin ensures that the joint works even with a taper.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
diff("remove")
  cuboid([50,30,10])
    tag("remove")position(TOP+BACK) xcopies(10,5) dovetail("female", slide=10, width=7, taper=4, height=4, anchor=BOTTOM+FRONT,spin=180);

Synopsis: Creates a snap-pin that can slot into a snap_pin_socket() to join two parts. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: snap_pin_socket(), joiner(), dovetail(), rabbit_clip()

Usage:

• snap_pin(size, [pointed=], [anchor=], [spin=], [orient]=) [ATTACHMENTS];
• snap_pin(r=|radius=|d=|diameter=, l=|length=, nub_depth=, snap=, thickness=, [clearance=], [preload=], [pointed=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Description:

Creates a snap pin that can be inserted into an appropriate socket to connect two objects together. You can choose from some standard pin dimensions by giving a size, or you can specify all the pin geometry parameters yourself. If you use a standard size you can override the standard parameters by specifying other ones. The pins have flat sides so they can be printed. When oriented UP the shaft of the pin runs in the Z direction and the flat sides are the front and back. The default orientation (FRONT) and anchor (FRONT) places the pin in a printable configuration, flat side down on the xy plane. The tightness of fit is determined by preload and clearance. To make pins tighter increase preload and/or decrease clearance.

The "large" or "standard" size pin has a length of 10.8 and diameter of 7. The "medium" pin has a length of 8 and diameter of 4.6. The "small" pin has a length of 6 and diameter of 3.2. The "tiny" pin has a length of 4 and a diameter of 2.5.

This pin is based on https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:213310 by Emmett Lalishe and a modified version at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3218332 by acwest and distributed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Share Alike License

Arguments:

Example 1: Pin in native orientation

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
snap_pin("standard", anchor=CENTER, orient=UP, thickness = 1, $fn=40);

Example 2: Pins oriented for printing

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
xcopies(spacing=10, n=4) snap_pin("standard", $fn=40);

Synopsis: Creates a snap-pin socket for a snap_pin() to slot into. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: snap_pin(), joiner(), dovetail(), snap_pin(), rabbit_clip()

Usage:

• snap_pin_socket(size, [fixed=], [fins=], [pointed=], [anchor=], [spin=], [orient=]) [ATTACHMENTS];
• snap_pin_socket(r=|radius=|d=|diameter=, l=|length=, nub_depth=, snap=, [fixed=], [pointed=], [fins=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Description:

Constructs a socket suitable for a snap_pin with the same parameters. If fixed is true then the socket has flat walls and the pin will not rotate in the socket. If fixed is false then the socket is round and the pin will rotate, particularly well if you add a lubricant. If pointed is true the socket is pointed to receive a pointed pin, otherwise it has a rounded and and will be shorter. If fins is set to true then two fins are included inside the socket to act as supports (which may help when printing tip up, especially when pointed=false). The default orientation is DOWN with anchor BOTTOM so that you can difference() the socket away from an object. The socket extends 0.02 extra below its bottom anchor point so that differences will work correctly. (You must have $overlap smaller than 0.02 in attach or the socket will be beneath the surface of the parent object.)

The "large" or "standard" size pin has a length of 10.8 and diameter of 7. The "medium" pin has a length of 8 and diameter of 4.6. The "small" pin has a length of 6 and diameter of 3.2. The "tiny" pin has a length of 4 and a diameter of 2.5.

Arguments:

Example 1: The socket shape itself in native orientation.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
snap_pin_socket("standard", anchor=CENTER, orient=UP, fins=true, $fn=40);

Example 2: A spinning socket with fins:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
snap_pin_socket("standard", anchor=CENTER, orient=UP, fins=true, fixed=false, $fn=40);

Example 3: A cube with a socket in the middle and one half-way off the front edge so you can see inside:

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
$fn=40;
diff("socket") cuboid([20,20,20])
  tag("socket"){
    attach(TOP) snap_pin_socket("standard");
    position(TOP+FRONT)snap_pin_socket("standard");
  }

Synopsis: Creates a rabbit-eared clip that can snap into a slot. ^[Geom]

Topics: Joiners, Parts

See Also: snap_pin(), joiner(), dovetail(), snap_pin()

Usage:

• rabbit_clip(type, length, width, snap, thickness, depth, [compression=], [clearance=], [lock=], [lock_clearance=], [splineteps=], [anchor=], [orient=], [spin=]) [ATTACHMENTS];

Description:

Creates a clip with two flexible ears to lock into a mating socket, or create a mask to produce the appropriate mating socket. The clip can be made to insert and release easily, or to hold much better, or it can be created with locking flanges that will make it very hard or impossible to remove. Unlike the snap pin, this clip is rectangular and can be made at any height, so a suitable clip could be very thin. It's also possible to get a solid connection with a short pin.

The type parameters specifies whether to make a clip, a socket mask, or a double clip. The length is the total nominal length of the clip. (The actual length will be very close, but not equal to this.) The width gives the nominal width of the clip, which is the actual width of the clip at its base. The snap parameter gives the depth of the clip sides, which controls how easy the clip is to insert and remove. The clip "ears" are made over-wide by the compression value. A nonzero compression helps make the clip secure in its socket. The socket's width and length are increased by the clearance value which creates some space and can compensate for printing inaccuracy. The socket will be slightly longer than the nominal width. The thickness is the thickness curved line that forms the clip. The clip depth is the amount the basic clip shape is extruded. Be sure that you make the socket with a larger depth than the clip (try 0.4 mm) to allow ease of insertion of the clip. The clearance value does not apply to the depth. The splinesteps parameter increases the sampling of the clip curves.

By default clips appear with orient=UP and sockets with orient=DOWN. The clips and sockets extend 0.02 units below their base so that unions and differences will work without trouble, but be sure that the attach overlap is smaller than 0.02.

The first figure shows the dimensions of the rabbit clip. The second figure shows the clip in red overlayed on its socket in yellow. The left clip has a nonzero clearance, so its socket is bigger than the clip all around. The right hand locking clip has no clearance, but it has a lock clearance, which provides some space behind the lock to allow the clip to fit. (Note that depending on your printer, this can be set to zero.)

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Arguments:

Example 1: Here are several sizes that work printed in PLA on a Prusa MK3, with default clearance of 0.1 and a depth of 5

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
module test_pair(length, width, snap, thickness, compression, lock=false)
{
  depth = 5;
  extra_depth = 10;// Change this to 0.4 for closed sockets
  cuboid([max(width+5,12),12, depth], chamfer=.5, edges=[FRONT,"Y"], anchor=BOTTOM)
      attach(BACK)
        rabbit_clip(type="pin",length=length, width=width,snap=snap,thickness=thickness,depth=depth,
                    compression=compression,lock=lock);
  right(width+13)
  diff("remove")
      cuboid([width+8,max(12,length+2),depth+3], chamfer=.5, edges=[FRONT,"Y"], anchor=BOTTOM)
        tag("remove")
          attach(BACK)
            rabbit_clip(type="socket",length=length, width=width,snap=snap,thickness=thickness,
                        depth=depth+extra_depth, lock=lock,compression=0);
}
left(37)ydistribute(spacing=28){
  test_pair(length=6, width=7, snap=0.25, thickness=0.8, compression=0.1);
  test_pair(length=3.5, width=7, snap=0.1, thickness=0.8, compression=0.1);  // snap = 0.2 gives a firmer connection
  test_pair(length=3.5, width=5, snap=0.1, thickness=0.8, compression=0.1);  // hard to take apart
}
right(17)ydistribute(spacing=28){
  test_pair(length=12, width=10, snap=1, thickness=1.2, compression=0.2);
  test_pair(length=8, width=7, snap=0.75, thickness=0.8, compression=0.2, lock=true); // With lock, very firm and irreversible
  test_pair(length=8, width=7, snap=0.75, thickness=0.8, compression=0.2, lock=true); // With lock, very firm and irreversible
}

Example 2: Double clip to connect two sockets

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
rabbit_clip("double",length=8, width=7, snap=0.75, thickness=0.8, compression=0.2,depth=5);

Example 3: A modified version of the clip that acts like a backpack strap clip, where it locks tightly but you can squeeze to release.

include <BOSL2/std.scad>
include <BOSL2/joiners.scad>
cuboid([25,15,5],anchor=BOTTOM)
    attach(BACK)rabbit_clip("pin", length=25, width=25, thickness=1.5, snap=2, compression=0, lock=true, depth=5, lock_clearance=3);
left(32)
diff("remove")
cuboid([30,30,11],orient=BACK,anchor=BACK){
    tag("remove")attach(BACK)rabbit_clip("socket", length=25, width=25, thickness=1.5, snap=2, compression=0, lock=true, depth=5.5, lock_clearance=3);
    xflip_copy()
      position(FRONT+LEFT)
      xscale(0.8)
      tag("remove")zcyl(l=20,r=13.5, $fn=64);
}