Parametrized RAKO Box

This repository contains a fully parametric, printable model that mathematically replicates the complex draft-tapered geometry, structural rims, and stacking feet of a real RAKO box, allowing you to print custom storage solutions that perfectly interlock with industry standards.

We see this as a tribute to 60 years of standarized packing and logistics solutions by the great Utz companiy who made the Rako box system, which is super popular espscially in Switzerland. It is meant as a tribute to make miniatures to celebrate the quality of it's inventors, not as a rip-off.

How to get the customizer presets

The project lives on its github:
https://github.com/sgmk/Parametrized-RAKO-Box
Best to go there for the most up-to-date versions, and the .json file presets for openSCAD customizer (seems i cannot upload it to printables)
The githup contains additional bash scripts for automated export of .stl in different dimensions.

History

This project started as an experiment in human-AI collaboration during the ddoS (das dreitägige odenwilusenz Sommerfest) event late at night. The goal was to collaborate with an AI assistant to reverse-engineer and parametrically design a highly complex, 3D-printable replica of the classic Utz RAKO Eurobox.

Using a combination of reference photos, official Utz technical catalogs, and even audio messages to describe the intricate physical details (like the continuous draft taper, horizontal rims, and corner gussets), we iteratively refined the model. The entire geometry was coded from scratch in OpenSCAD, guided by continuous back-and-forth feedback with Gemini AI. Over the course of the night, we went from struggling with basic proportions to mathematically deriving a robust, parametric, support-free printing framework that accurately replicates the authentic industrial design.

Technical Drawings

The structural complexity of the RAKO system is derived from its continuous draft taper and nested inset tiers. The outer shell, inner ribs, and bottom stacking foot each reside on precise inward-leaning planes to ensure immense rigidity while allowing identical boxes to interlock seamlessly with a perfect 1mm tolerance. Note that while this model replicates the authentic stacking geometry, the exact wall thicknesses and rib dimensions have been optimized for FDM 3D printing and structural stability, rather than being a 1:1 identical copy of the original injection-molded box.

OpenSCAD Customizer Renders

(Large size presets shown with Snap-on Lids) 

✨ Features

• Standard & Custom Sizes: Use the built-in dropdowns to instantly select all standard Utz RAKO footprint sizes (200x150, 300x200, 400x300, 600x400, 800x600) and standard heights, or disable it to enter fully custom L x W x H bounds.

• Mathematical Stacking: The model automatically calculates wall thicknesses and dynamic inset steps to guarantee a perfect 1.0mm clearance stacking fit. The boxes will interlock tightly with each other and with real commercial Euroboxes.

• Support-Free Printing: The top rims feature parametric diagonal support triangles and massive corner gussets tuned to a standard 50° overhang, allowing you to print the complex upper structural flanges entirely without slicer supports.

• Snap-Fit Lid & Hinges: Optional snap-fit interlocking lids, including deep hinge slots on the back edge to attach C-hinges without losing the beautifully rounded corners.

• Custom Embossing: Easily emboss your own text labels onto the front and back long sides of the box using any font installed on your system.

3D Printing Tips

• Support Triangles: Real Utz RAKO boxes don't have small triangular supports under the top rim. However, because FDM 3D printers struggle with aggressive 90-degree overhangs, this parametric model introduces optional support triangles. Leave these enabled in the Customizer to allow the box to print cleanly without needing any slicer-generated support material!

• Bottom Rim Supports: While the top rims print support-free, it is highly recommended to enable standard slicer supports for the absolute bottom stacking foot/rim. These supports are very easy to remove and ensure the underside prints with perfect dimensional accuracy, guaranteeing the foot clicks cleanly inside the box below it when stacked.

• Support Blockers: To ensure your slicer only generates supports for the bottom rim and doesn't accidentally try to support the embossed text or the upper support-free rims, add a large support blocker volume (cube) covering the entire upper half of the box.

• Scaling the Model: The OpenSCAD design is scaled 1:1 to the exact size and proportions of commercial RAKO boxes. However, we strongly advise against printing them at full scale! Printing a full-size RAKO box is an immense waste of time, energy, and PLA—if you need a full-size box, it makes much more sense for the environment (and your wallet) to just buy a real injection-molded one! Instead, this model is meant to be scaled down in your slicer to create perfect miniature organizers. Scaling the generated STLs down to 33% in your slicer is the sweet spot. At 33%, the snap-fit hinges still function perfectly. You can scale them down to 25% because they look incredibly cute, but be warned that the hinges will be at the absolute limit of their mechanical stability and may become too fragile!

🚀 Usage

1. Place both rako_box_V4.scad and the accompanying rako_box_V4.json presets file in the same folder.

2. Open the .scad file in OpenSCAD.

3. Ensure the Customizer is visible (View -> Customizer).

4. Use the dropdowns to configure your box, or select one of the pre-configured presets from the top dropdown (smallSize, midSize, largeSize).

5. Render (F6) and Export to STL!