Cryptex, parametric, cheat protected

Highly parametric cryptex/piggy bank/donation box. with cheat protection, generated from OpenSCAD script.
8h 45m
4× print file
0.20 mm
0.40 mm
174.00 g
6
19
0
174
updated October 19, 2024

Description

PDF

Yet another attempt to make a flexible and easy-to-print cryptex. This one allows 3 - 10 dials, each having 6 - 26 faces with digits and letters of 10 - 20mm width and height. Prints well with 0.2mm layers of PLA.

If you're willing to use OpenSCAD you can modify most dimensions of the cryptex, such as count of dials, letter set on each dial, count of letters, size of dial faces (and thus the total size).  Coin and bill slot, and the mounting hole(s) in base plate can be suppressed.

The included project files each contain all parts with similar print settings. For more than 4 dials or larger dimensions you may need to hide/unhide or move appropriately before slicing.

Parameters

Parameters are documented in the OpenSCAD script.
There is a group of lines (e.g. part="core";) to render each single part in printing orientation for export.

Code definition

The code word and the letter set for each dial is defined in a two dimensional array. The starting digit of each letter string is the correct digit for this dial. The other digits should follow in an unsuspicious sequence, meaning do NOT use “412356789”, but “4567890123” instead!
For instance, if you want a 4-digit cryptex opening with “4321” you should use a code array like “4567890123”, “3456789012”, “2345678901”, “1234567890”. Alphabetic letters are supported too, of course, but a 26 digit ring may become pretty "fat", depending on field size (readability!)

Printing hints

All infills are 10% adaptive cubic (my favorite). The only part needing supports is “core”. I got best results with auto-generated organic supports - your  mileage may vary.

Parts “compartment” and "lid" look nicer if you select the Archimedian chord pattern for top and bottom infill layers.

Finally “lid” and “core” should be put together using a bit of glue (this connection can be made weak enough for "emergency" opening).
Each of the bottom n-1 dials should get one spacer glued to it, ideally printed in a contrast color. The little dent fits into the unlock channel.
The spacers could be eliminated if you reduce the amount of tolerance for the code rings … likewise core and lid could be combined into one part.

Go back to OpenSCAD and render parts “explode” and “assembly” to see how the parts combine (spacers are not shown here).

Comments?

As this is my first model upload comments are highly appreciated!

Model origin

The author remixed this model.

Differences of the remix compared to the original

The original is not easy to print, as the “springs” tend to break and/or aren't strong enough, and are highly dependent of your filament.
Redesigned the entire locking mechanism.

License