Eurobox/Gridfinity-Transportation-System for Gadgets

Introduction

I always wanted to have a flexible transporting system for my gear. Sometimes I take a lot of stuff, at other times only the essentials.

Now it is time to present my concept: it is based on “Euroboxes” which are widely available in different sizes and formats and the Gridfinity 42x42 mm grid. However, here I am using a modified version of Gridfinity:

1. As space is precious in the smaller Euroboxes, I am allowing my inserts a higher “resolution” by using a 21 mm grid instead of 42 mm. I designed it in a way that the inserts are compatible to the 42 mm grid, but can be offset by half a unit. For the custom boxes for the gear I am using also “odd” shaped boxes in the 21 mm grid (cut-outs from the rectangular shape)
2. As the inserts need to be pushed down by the lid of the Eurobox during transport, I am not using the height increments of 7 mm as defined by the Gridfinity “standard”, but make only full size inserts at 98 mm total height for the 12 cm boxes and 51 mm for the shallow 7.5 cm boxes. This allows for two shallow boxes to be stacked on top of each other in the higher Euroboxes. 

For the Euroboxes I am using different sizes with hinged lids made by Auer Packaging. So far, I am using (w x d x h):

1. 20 x 15 x 12 cm
2. 30 x 20 x 12 cm
3. 40 x 30 x 7.5 cm
4. 40 x 30 x 12 cm
5. 60 x 40 x 7.5 cm
6. 60 x 40 x 12 cm

If you want to save some small money, you can buy the boxes and the lids separately or you could even buy “B-grade” boxes which are still a few % cheaper. To mount the lids to the boxes, you need to drill holes. Here you can find my drilling jig.

To maximise the usable area and to improve rigidity, I am using a board of 9 mm plywood to fill in the pocket at the bottom of the box. The Gridfinity baseplate is stuck onto that wooden board with double sided sticky tape. For the baseplate I stayed with the 42 mm Gridfinity grid in order to ensure compatibility with other inserts.

As I got a request for more information on the plywood boards, I uploaded the STL-files (in the respective baseplate folders) and a PDF with the dimensions for reference.

To hold the containers in place and to push down on their contents, I stuck 10 mm thick foam to the lid. I used foam with 26 kg/m³ and a hardness of 3.5 kPa which gave me good results.

Under this model entry I will present the Gridfinity baseplates for the Euroboxes and a set of standard containers in various sizes. However, I am planning to do more customised inserts for different gadgets which I will present as separate uploads as they might need some explanation or contain multiple items.

So far, the following custom inserts are available:

For 7.5 cm boxes:

• AA and AAA Batteries
• GoPro Handlebar and Roll Bar Mounts

For 12 cm boxes:

• Panasonic FZ1000 (including spare battery and SD-card holder)

I am using the tag “egts” (Eurobox/Gridfinity-Transportation-System) to link all related models.

Known Issues:

(Ideas, solutions, feedback welcome!)

• The big boxes (60 x 40 x 12 cm) are not as rigid as they seem: when used as a case with handle on the long side, the box deforms enough to disengage the locks of the lid, once put down.
• I cannot find 20 x 30 x 7.5 cm boxes (Auer does not make them) with steep enough walls to fit my grid plate. “Surplus” (as found in my local hardware store) has too slanted walls so the area on the bottom is too small…

Work in progress:

• Lens filter cassettes
• Battery for FZ1000 (DMW-BLC12) with integrated charger

Disclaimer: of course the Euroboxes are not as rigid as professional flight cases - but for my needs it should be OK.