BETA** Annoying Gift Box

WARNING:

This file is in beta. Not all the kinks are worked out yet, but I wanted to post prior to the holidays so that people could test out and give feedback.

Please do not expect a fully optimized model at this point. The model does work (at least my last iteration did), but is tricky. I have not tested this version yet with the updated gears, but I believe it to work better than the last iteration and my test print is currently underway.

I will update this post as I make design changes

Annoying Gift Box (Gear Addition)

This gift box plays the perfect prank on the recipient. Its going to take them a little while to open. 

Many similar designs have been developed to frustrate people trying to get their gifts, but this one has a key advantage: ease of assembly. 

Due to a unique keying system, the box can be closed with a single twist, but takes 100 twists to open.

Assembly is simple, place your gift in the box, add the worm gear “key”, then add the lid in the correct spot, and twist the worm gear once or twice to close. The worm gear does have a correct orientation, but I don't think you can get the lid on if it is backwards

Lid and Box are easily printable without support. “Key” (worm gear) needs supports of some kind. Probably best to be printed horizontally with supports on FDM printers. Still developing a suportless version of the worm gear

Updates:

v0.0 - Dec 17, 2024:

Gift box works successfully, but the rotating lid has overbearing friction when driven by the worm gear. You have to unjam it by twisting lid manually (just slightly). Lubrication or some sanding before assembly may prevent this issue. Updating lid to have lower contact surface when in place

Ratchet does not work on 50% scale model. Redesigning it to be more robust and lower profile.

Worm gear key seems breakable. Adding option for allen key and will make future versions sturdier

v0.1 - Dec 18, 2024:

Changes seem to have helped with usability of the box. Ratchet was redesigned and contact surfaces have been reduced between box and lid to get it to spin better. Worm gear and the lid gear also were changed to improve this

Key is still difficult to print and it is weak where the key is held in place. 

v0.2 - Dec 19, 2024:

Updated key to improve printability. Main worm gear has strictly 45° from build plate. There are still 3 structures that require support (more if you don't prefer bridging), but this should be much easier to print. Will test performance and update here again

Box has also been updated to improve strength where the key is held

NO CHANGES TO LID WERE MADE - DON'T REPRINT

Expiremental box v0.2 has 2 hinges parts in case one breaks

Changes to key (blue is where part has changed: