10 letter Cryptex

Introduction

This is a re-programmable 10 character cryptex tube that I originally put on Thingiverse. There are already a few here, but thought I'd bring this one across..

I made it for a puzzle challenge that I was running. I couldn't find a 10 character one, so I made this. It is re-programmable so that I can use it again another day with a different password.
The plastic springs give positive feedback to assist with lining the letters up - I'd imagine that printing them with a different filament would change their 'clickiness' - the PLA made for quite a robust click! :)
It does not hold a lot, but I think it looks cool!

All parts are printable without supports as long as your printer supports 45 degree overhangs or the occasional bridge.

Disclaimers

It is made using inspiration from all over the Internet.. Hopefully no toes were trampled in the making thereof.
It makes a good chunky paperweight! 300grams or so!

Remixes

Since I originally designed this I see that a few versions of this have popped up with different things like the grip on the letter dial and the pattern on the outer core are removed and the letters are replaced or made inset instead of outset.

In the spirit of open source I've uploaded variants without the grip and pattern. I've also added a letter dial with no letters or grip in case you want to use wingdings or egyptian hieroglyphs or whatever!

Just a note: If you do make a remix - please link to this original? Seeing makes and remixes makes the design effort worthwhile! :)

Happy remixing!

You will need

As discussed above there are lots of different options available with this print, so don't just download the lot and print them all out.. you'll have extras and will probably be even more confused! 

Choose carefully which parts you want.

Required parts:

10x Letter rings (with or without grip)
10x Letter encoder rings
30x spring
1x Outer Core (with or without pattern)
1x Outer Core Retainer (with or without pattern)
1x Inner Core
1x Outer Core decorative top (optional)
1x Inner Core decorative top (optional)

Putting together

Most of it should be self explanatory. The inner core and the inner core decorative top need to be glued together with some decent glue (I used 2 part epoxy). The outer core decorative top also gets glued on to the outer core for decoration purposes.

To put the sprint clips in place, put one side into one of the side holes, then compress it and push the other side of the spring into the other side hole. It should pop in with no major effort.

When putting the letter rings and encoding rings together they should only fit one way, then when sliding them on to the outer core with the spring clips in place you might find it useful to rotate the ring so that it rides over the springs.

The outer core retainer is there to keep all the letters in place and should be screwed in making sure that the slot lines up with the key slot. When the inner core is in place the retainer won't be able to unscrew.

Happy printing!

Print Settings

Printer brand: Prusa

Printer: i3 MK2S

Supports: No

Resolution: 0.2mm

Infill: 20%

Notes:

I printed the letter rings using a blue-grey eSun filament and the rest with black, then dry-brushed them with silver and gold paint respectively.

The height of the letters leave 0.1mm between each ring by design so they can move freely. If your first layer is too squashed when printing the letters you could have a little too much play or space between the the end and the last letter if they are all compressed together. If there's too much play perhaps a thin sheet of acetate between the rings would work?

Difficult to design for all of the different printers out there! :)

Another note: Again each printer is a little different, so you might find that the cap (Outer core retainer) doesn't line up with the slot when you try to close it you either have under or over extrusion vs my tests.. If it turns past the slot that's an OK problem, just means it's a little loose when you turn it back. If it doesn't turn far enough, then you'll need to spend some time on the threads with sandpaper.