Pill Splitter (Fusion 360 customizable)

I've seen a few pill splitters, but they all have the same problem – they are only effective for one size of pill or caplet. I designed this one to handle all common sizes.

Design

I designed this in Fusion 360 (included, as always). These are the features:

• You can easily change the pill/caplet size in the parameters (several included).

• Catch your split pills in 2 common size bottles, or a custom one (included), or a tray.

• Uses commonly available hardware.

• Easy print in any material.

• No support needed.

Hardware

• 1 single edge razor blade (40x20mm)

• 2 M3x30 screws

• 2 M3 lock nuts

Assembly

• Slide the razor blade into the upper part.

• Secure it in place with a screw and nut.

• Line up upper and lower halves and secure together with a screw and nut.

• Insert the slider.

• Attach a pill bottle adapter and pill bottle.

• Drop in a pill shape for your size pill(s).

• Note: Do not over tighten the nuts. The rear one at the hinge will bind making it to
  hard to open and close. The front one holding the blade will pinch the upper
  part making it difficult to close all the way. It is for this reason I chose
  lock nuts – you can tighten the right amount without the nut remaining loose
  and backing off.

Usage

Using this is easy and straightforward. But you have some choices/options to suit your needs.

• Where and how to catch the split pill parts:

  • You may use a standard Rx bottle (75cc). I have included an adapter to screw it directly to the splitter.

  • You may use a standard safety cap bottle (PM-20). I have included an adapter to screw it directly to the splitter.

  • If you have neither of these bottles, I have included a simple bottle you can print and attach directly.

  • You may also simply use it over a tray and bottle the pieces later.

• What size pill you have to split:

  • The system uses drop-in shapes to hold the pills centered. {Included mm sizes shown}

  • There is a two caplet shape {21x9 & 19x8}

  • There is a two tablet shape {10 & 8}

  • There is a combo caplet & tablet shape {21x19 & 10}

  • There is a single oversize tablet shape {20}

  • Note: maximum caplet length is 22; maximum pill diameter is 22

  • You may create your own sizes easily in the parameters:

• Choose a pill shape and drop it in (the direction does not matter).

• Push the slider all the way in. In this position, split pill parts will remain in the shaper.

• Firmly push the upper and lower together to split the pill. Be careful to ensure the blade enters the
  center of the shaper – if the hinge is too loose, the upper part may drift sideways a little and hit the shaper instead of the slot in the center.

• Once the upper and lower are fully together, the pill should be split.

• With the upper still closed (it works better this way), pull the slider out about half way. This will expose the adapter hole and allow the pill parts to fall through. You may open the upper and look.

• After the pill parts have fallen through, push the slider back in and repeat as desired.

Printing

There are no special requirements. Any material will work (I used PLA). All parts
will print OK as they load, except the upper needs to be upside down.

With a bigger nozzle (.6), I would have liked to use a bigger layer (like .40) for speed, but it actually works better with a .20 layer to maintain the clearances.

Update May 3, 2026

The shape would sometimes stick to the upper part. Fixed by added a little stop to hold down the front end of the shape. The shape will now need the front end to be slide under the stop and rotate the back down (instead of dropping straight down).

The slider could easily slide out all the way. Fixed by increasing the stop to help it go only as far as it needs to.

Both changes affect only the lower part. Use the newer v33.