Simple reusable design to connect any tile-based creation.
The magnet hole is my own creation, however it is inspired by different magnetic bases demonstrated in this video. The magnet remover is a remix of this original design. The design is not very complex, but has proven to be very useful to me, which is why I'm sharing it here.
This solution works with 5mm magnetic spheres. I wanted a scalable and reusable solution to connect tiles together, but didn't want the hassle of repeatedly using glue or pausing mid-print to insert magnets. I also didn't want to be able to place/orient the magnet incorrectly.
I've added these holes to the bottom of my tiles in the center of the sides I want to connect. The magnet spheres can be freely inserted into the rectangular slot, and pressed over the 5mm diameter threshold into the 5.5m diameter cylinders, in which the magnets can move freely and orient themselves corresponding to the neighboring magnet from the next tile. Should be pretty fool-proof.
Magnets can be pressed over the threshold using the magnet inserter, and removed with the magnet remover (need to glue a thin metal pin into the remover; I've used a cut paperclip.).
Works decent enough with tiles up to 200 grams in weight. If you're going above that or if you place the tiles on a rough surface, you're probably going to lose the ‘click’ effect this has. I'd suggest getting bigger magnets and upscaling my design accordingly if you work with larger/heavier tiles.
The author marked this model as their own original creation.