Press-to-Lift Cotton Swab Storage Box / 按压升降棉签盒

Press-to-Lift Cotton Swab Storage Box

Initially, I hoped to create a structure that would dispense one swab at a time and allow it to stand upright for easy access.

Later, I realized that the shape of the swabs made it improbable that they would obediently separate from a short stroke, dispensing a single swab.

So, I had to design them to be dispensed together, but of course, we should still provide a good storage space for them to keep them as dry as possible.

PLA was used for the shell and other parts, PETG for the spring and linkage.

I strived to ensure that all parts could be directly assembled without relying on adhesives, metal screws, or other external elements.

This model has been in use for about a week, and most of the time it has performed flawlessly.

Here are some issues that need to be specifically noted:

1. The height of the demonstration box is not flush with the lid due to a calculation error during the prototyping phase. The height of the shell has been adjusted in the provided model.
2. The connecting rod component is available in two variations - one utilizing threads for convenient connection, and the other without threads. The potential issues associated with these two connection methods are detailed in the installation documentation.
   The default 15% infill should be sufficient for practical use. If you are uncertain, you can utilize the files containing modifiers to print, which will inevitably increase the printing time.
3. The long-term durability of the spring in printed plastic is not entirely reassuring. Consider using metal springs as an alternative to printed ones. A designated space has been allocated on the base plate for this purpose, and a spring support plate might be incorporated into the model in the future for enhanced durability. Of course, even if you choose not to use a metal spring, a new one can be printed and installed once the elasticity of the printed spring diminishes. After all, printing a spring only takes approximately 15 minutes.
4. Considering the potential need to replace the spring, the base plate is not secured with glue or snaps. I believe the connection between the base plate and the box is sufficiently secure. Furthermore, as this box is intended for tabletop use, there is no reason to worry about the base plate detaching. (If it does detach, simply press it back into place. Using glue is an option, of course.)

In the future, I will upload the demonstration model of the locking mechanism used in this box. In truth, it is a rather common mechanism, and perhaps creating a demonstration model for it is not strictly necessary. However, I did it, so I will share it.