Spiral Container with Lid (vasemode; fully customizable)

General:

The main component of this “model” is a Fusion360-Archive with wich you will be able to generate your own customizable spiral lidded containers. The included .3mf-files can be used as an example if you just need a travel container for a couple of Q-Tips, which was my inspiration for creating this. If you need help using Fusion360, there is a tutorial at the bottom.

The included files are intended to be used with a line width of 0.8mm in your slicer. If you don't adjust your settings for this, the lid and the container won't fit together properly. If you want to use a wider or slimmer line width you will have to use the Fusion360-archive to modify this. The tolerances for a proper fit are quite tight, but the default spacing should work if your printer is dialed in properly.

Printing Instructions:

As designed, the models have to be printed using vase mode. I have tested both PLA and PETG, most other filaments should work too

A higher line width is very beneficial for the strenght of the container. You can print line widths way wider than you nozzle width if you have no/slight overhangs (like this model). You should use 0.8mm if you have a 0.4mm nozzle. The provided models have to use 0.8mm line width, otherwise it wont fit.

Print slower than you would think when printing slimmer containers, otherwise the layers don't have enough time to cool and you will have terrible print quality and fitment issues. For PLA i have used 50 mm/s with full cooling. The setting “Slow down printing for better cooling” in Bambu Studio/Orca Slicer (under Filament>Cooling) works well too, but is about 50% slower than it needs to be, but it is a safe option. PETG should be printed slower than PLA, the automatic setting worked spot on for me. Make sure your filament is dry so you get a clear print.

Tutorial:

If you have never used Fusion360 and need help modifying the container to your liking i have included a short tutorial for you to follow. It should allow you to configure the model and get an stl/3mf-file for your slicer out of it without much hassle. I will only cover the opening, modifying and saving steps. If you need help installing Fusion360 or creating an account, there are other tutorials out there.

Step 1 - Loading in the file

Open Fusion360 and you will see this mostly empty screen. Navigate to the top left and open the highlighted menu.

Select “Open”.

Choose “Open from my computer…” to be able to browse your locally saved files. Navigate to the provided .f3d-file and select it.

It should load the project now.

Step 2 - Modifying the model

Once the model is open, select the “MODIFY”-drop down menu in the top ribbon and then click on “Change Parameters”.

Another window will open where you can change the values for the model by clicking on the values in the “Expression”-column.

If you move the parameters-window to the side you will see the results of the modification right away.

The comments will tell you what each variable does. You might have to drag the window wider to be able to read them fully.

Important!:

You must modify the “Line_width” variable to match what you are using in your slicer settings or vice versa. If you don't do this the lid will either be too loose or it won't fit. It is completely feasible to increase the line width above the width of your nozzle, in fact i recommend it for vase mode prints because it improves the models strenght. I am using a 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.8mm line width.

Once you are done changing the model to your liking, expant the “Bodies”-folder on the left if it isn't expanded already.

Right click on one of the models, either Top or Bottom. Don't choose Outside/Inside Twist, they are invisible and only used for the model generation.

Select “Save As Mesh”.

You can choose which file format you want to export as, .3mf is supported by all commonly used slicers and should be the preferred choice. There is also the possibility to directly send the file to a slicer, but i don't use this and therefore wont cover it here.

Choose “Save to my computer” and use the dots-menu to choose the proper save location and hit save.

Repeat this for the other model, Top or Bottom, respectively.