Aluminum Can Cutter/Trimmer

Print instructions:

Supports may be necessary for the body only, to hold up the overhangs above the blade-holder insertion points. You must add a pause to the blade-holder print just before the large overhang (that's a pause at the start of layer 8, if using 0.20mm layer height) and drop a segment from a 9mm snap-off craft knife into the recess: the print will seal it in place. A drop of superglue may help the blade stay put during printing if it sticks to your nozzle. (No particular thought was given to the cutting angle of the blade. If you know a better way to orient the blade for cutting sheet aluminum, please publish a remix with it!)

SAFETY WARNINGS:

• Snap-off craft knives are razor-sharp. To prevent injury during the snap-off process, carefully use two pairs of pliers instead of touching the blades with your bare fingers.
• The can trimming process may produce fine aluminum dust and sharp little chips. When finished, be sure to wash your hands, clean up your workspace with a damp rag, and take care not to let any debris get in your eyes!
• Trimmed metal edges will be SHARP, take care not to injure yourself on them!

Instructions for use:

Rinse cans and remove tabs before trimming. To use the tool, just place the can in the body and insert the blade in one of the slots. Rotate the can a few times to score the aluminum, squeezing the blade into the can with moderate pressure, and then gently flex the can walls to cleanly break along the score line. The “lid” is a ring that you can place over the cut edge of a can to protect yourself from any sharp edges or burrs. Once top and bottom are removed, you can cut the ring open with a pair of scissors and flatten out the resulting sheet.

The process was loosely inspired by the following video, which also has suggestions on ways that the resulting sheets can be cut and formed with a simple desktop press: