Hexpansion Sample tube holders

Adaptors from cheap plastic 5ml sample tubes to hexpansion connectors for the EMF tildagon. Perfect for displaying random small items of interest! Search for "5ml plastic tube" on your favourite chep online marketplace, you want the ones with the transluscent white tops.

Printed in PLA with supports. You can tune the retention force by leaving a little bit of support material in the bottom of the hole as shown. If you're transporting anything heavy, liquid or that would casue problems if lost it may be worth glueing the tube in place for extra security. Make sure to set your Z offset correctly or be prepared to trim sllightly to make the connector fit.

Good things to transport:

• Coffe beans

• Seeds

• Small electrical parts

• Tiny plants

• Glow in the dark things

• Nuts and bolts (bonus points if you use M2 bolts that can be used to attach other hexpansions)

Things to be careful about transporting:

• Edible items, especially wet ones. 3D prints aren't usually food safe

• Liquids, the seal made with the print is not water tight. If you want to try adding liquid I'd suggest sealing with glue

• Radioactive material, best not to repeat the 2024 orphan source incident

Known shortcomings

• Two double holders next to each other can make reaching the button between them a little tricky

• Some of the edges could be filleted for a nicer finish

• The current retention option of using support material works well but feels a little janky

• USB ports and power buttons can be somewhat obstructed

• This design does not reuse the orignal tube lids. This results in a smaller package and let me use some lidless tubes I had lying around (I orderd tubes for storing ink samples and some lids came damaged). However, a design that holds the original lid in a lrager hole either with glue or a friction fit could give better waterproofing and more reliable retention.

FreeCAD files are included for your tweaking pleasure but they're a little rough.

Tildagon hexpansion specification here: https://tildagon.badge.emfcamp.org/hexpansions/creating-hexpansions/

Have fun!