Insulated Can Cozy, With Crush Ribs

I designed a 3D printable insulated can cozy (can holder) to help keep drinks cold, it uses a trick to hold cans snug.
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updated June 9, 2023

Description

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I like insulated can holders to help keep a drink cool, and made a 3D-printable version!

The main tricky part in designing this was figuring out a way to make the can fit snugly without making it too tight. The problem with making something exactly fit a cylindrical object is that there is a ridiculously fine line between “too tight” and “too loose”.

My solution: crush ribs. (This is a well-known solution that allows for some tolerance variation in a manufactured object.)

Crush ribs are borrowed from the world of injection molding, but here I modify/misuse the concept a little. The three ribs on the inside of my can holder provide friction on the can to hold the can snug, but not TOO snug. Without them, the can would be too loose in the holder. But with them, it is just snug enough.

Print Setting Suggestions

  • 1 perimeter wall (I used a 0.6 mm nozzle)
  • 6% Gyroid infill (which makes the inside mostly hollow, good for insulation)
  • Fuzzy skin (outer surfaces only) optional but I think it looks fantastic
  • Concentric fill pattern on top and bottom surfaces (optional but works much better with the cylindrical shape of this object)

Notes

  • This model was made to fit 355mL (12oz) beverage cans, of 6.62cm (2.6in) diameter. https://www.dimensions.com/element/beverage-can-12-oz

Troubleshooting

  1. If your can fits too snug or too tight, just scaling the entire model a wee bit should do the trick (but you're on your own to figure that out.)

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

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