Collapsing Ring Box With Magnetic Closure

When I was looking for ring box model, the design by KodyPhelps stood out from the others.  It is both simple and elegant, with a clever collapsing mechanism.  Clearly, a lot of thought and effort went into the design; the tolerances are perfect, and the fact that the moving parts can be printed in-place with no supports is impressive.

The ring we had did not quite fit in the original design; while the model was being modified for the ring, it ended up with quite a few additional changes, so I decided to post a remix…that said, credit for the original concept goes completely to KodyPhelps.

Design Features:

• Additional space for taller and thicker ring settings
• Magnets to keep the box closed
• Rounded corners and edges
• Finger indentation on the end to make the box easier to open
• No supports required

The ring slot required multiple iterations to achieve the correct fit and retention (due to an irregular shape).  Rather the printing the entire box each time, the ring holder was isolated from the box to allow quick, 4-minute prints of only the ring holder.  Once satisfied, I simply exported the box and ring holder as a single STL for the final print.  To make the ring slot easier to customize, the exported STEP file also has the ring holder as an isolated object.  There is also a separate STEP file for a blank holder (no ring slot) in case you want to design your own slot from the beginning or use the holder for something else (like earrings).

Assembly Instructions:

Step 1:  After removing the box from the print sheet, move the ring holder back and forth a few times until it moves smoothly.

Step 2:  Rotate the ring holder all the way down into the base, then move the box hinge back and forth a few times until it moves smoothly from fully open to fully closed.

Step 3:  Insert the 4 magnets; it is easier to add them now, before adding the lever (while the box can still be opened fully).  The magnets press into the slots easily, but it can be hard get them started (due to their small size and slippery surface); small pliers may be helpful.  

• IMPORTANT:  I did not include a facility for easily removing the magnets, so verify correct polarity of the 4 magnets before inserting them into their slots.  The magnets on the box lid need to be attracted to the magnets on the box bottom.

Step 4:  Attach the lever.  Insert the outward-facing nubs into the holes on the lid first, then insert the inward-facing nubs into the holes on the ring holder.

Parts Required:

• 4 x 6x2mm Round Magnets.  I used these magnets from Amazon: 6x2mm Refrigerator Magnets

Printing Notes:

• Print with 0.15mm layer height (or smaller), structural, 15% infill.
• Supports are not required for any of the parts.
• I have printed this model in both PETG and PLA without problems.
• Please DO NOT use the .bgcode file that has been provided (always slice your own files for your specific printer, filament, environment, etc.).  The files were only included to provide a reference for approximate print time.

Miscellaneous Notes/Comments:

• The box shown in the photos was printed Using Prusament Woodfill.
• Due to the increased box length, this ring box will not fit in the carrying case that was included with the original model from KodyPhelps.

• Accommodation for larger settings:
  • Box length has been increased.
  • Cavity added to the bottom surface.
• Magnets added to the corners to hold the box closed.
• Rounded the box edges, and added a finger indentation on the end to make the box easier to open.
• Redesigned lever linkage:
  • Narrower than original (the linkage was not included in the original STEP file, and the STL version was too wide to fit in the box)
  • Made the cross-linkage thinner so that it is more flexible (to ease assembly).