Fully Customizable Dial (parametric)

Customizable, Parametric Dial

Fix your fridge knob in style:

1. choose any knob design or make your own
2. generate the base with your exact diameters

Say no more… Here comes the parametric dial - inspired by my other [fridge knob](https://www.printables.com/model/84457-fridge-knob)].

Whether you have a standard potentiometer style…

Whether you have a weird very large plastic base…

Whether you just want to have a speck of color in a white fridge…

Features

• Perfectly match your own shaft
• Add ANY knob YOU like
• support user: provide sanity checks for printed walls & parameter mismatch
• support D-Shaft: notch variability - width & length & full length
• support Smooth shaft
• support Knurled shaft
• option: tapered base: diameter & length
• option: dowel
• option: strain relief - straight to 2x screwed
• option: auto model scaling for better fit
• No additional software needed

Generate your own

Measure twice → Print once

Go to https://ochafik.com/openscad2 and paste the content of shaft.scad. If you are brave, click this link.

Steps

1 - Measure

h=height (↑), d=diameter(→)

1. h=Host Material (required if host=🗹 )
2. d=Host Material (required if host=🗹 )
3. h=Shaft (required)
4. d=Shaft (required)
5. h=Notch
6. d=Notch
7. h=Taper
8. d=Taper
9. h=dowel
10. d=Spring

Consult this decision chart, if you like

2 - Generate

Select the style you need:

• Knob (shaft inside the handle): Deactivate the host material
• Handle (shaft below the handle): Activate the host material 
• Render the model with the highest resolution ($fn = 180). Download the .stl file.

Parameter List:

=== Generator Behaviour ===

• [on|off] Sanity Checks for Printed Parts
• [mm] Ensure Wall Thickness
• [#] Face Number, Resolution

=== Host Material ===

• [on|off] Host Material | Render Shaft Instead
• [mm] Length
• [mm] Width

=== Shaft ===

• [mm] Length
• [mm] Width
• [#] Define Shaft Style
• [mm] Notch Length Along Shaft
• [mm] Notch Width, Smallest Shaft Diameter
• [on|off] Taper | Flat
• [mm] Taper Length
• [mm] Taper Diameter

=== Dowel === [option]

• [on|off] Dowel, Plug, Anchor, Inlet:
• [mm] Anchoring Hole Depth, adds a ∅3mm×↕mm Inlet

=== Spring === [option]

• [on|off] Strain Relief | Solid Wall
• [mm] Width (increase for higher angles)
• [°] Screwing Angle

3 - Tweaking Tips

• Deactivate all checkboxes first, then incrementally add your measurements
• Use a taper for easier insertion
• Use a strain relief (~spring) to avoid layer cracks for tight fits
• Deactivate the Host Material to see what the shaft cutout would look like
• The model works in [mm], but you can also use fractions,  e.g. 3.25

4.1 - Select Knob Style

Add ANY knob YOU like ([have a look](https://www.printables.com/search/models?q=knob))

1. Select knob model 
2. Lay it flat on the slicer bed
3. Right-click and add part “cylinder” to Mind the Gap
4. Scale to desired size
5. optional: dowel
   1. add negative volume “cylinder” 3x3mm in the center
   2. add shape “cylinder” 2.75x2.75mm

4.2 - Very Simple: Create Your Own in the Slicer

• Add a cylinder (or a 3DBenchy!?) in the desired dimensions. 
• Add Text as Desired.
• For better grip, activate fuzzy skin

5 - Installation

If you chose to make a handle, insert dowel and glue both parts together 

Mind the indicator orientation. Set the fridge knob to off, then rotate the indicator to the correct position.

Contribute

I want to know how I can improve this model.

Please leave a comment, so we can improve this generator, together!

Update 3.5.25

• Update Script and add several documentation material