Laser cutting walnut diabetic supply box (etui)

MadMark said:

Laser cutting insulin box (etui)

Am diabetic. Have to have insulin kit handy. Have box that neatly holds 8 syrnges, 2 vials and dozens of alc pads. Built it in 2016 and the poor thing has been dropped onto tile multiple times, cats, don'cha know! 😃 Time for a new one! I had some walnut offcuts (6" & 8") that I resawed to...

www.lumberjocks.com

View attachment 138
TinkerCAD 3D model. Each item is a separate file.

View attachment 139
All parts cut

View attachment 140
Parts need cleaning to remove laser schmutz on edges

Click to expand...

Couple of comments.

• Round bottles fit snugly in holes that are not round, so you wouldn’t need to make the holes with 60 sides other than for an aesthetic appearance.
• The block for holding bottles could be made just as easily with strategically placed layers, perhaps with spacers. If the inside “NEEDS” to be solid, perhaps the holes in the different layers could be the support for a thin sheet of laminate. The holes in the layers may have to increase to account for the thickness of the laminate.
• Another option might be to make the inside a 3D printed part from TPU which could all be one part that would be inserted into the beautiful wooden box. The TPU could provide a snug fit holding the bottles while providing some shock absorbency as well. Perhaps something like the designs from the contest for a design that would keep an egg from being broken when the egg “box“ was dropped many feet.

MadMark said:

Laser cutting insulin box (etui)

Am diabetic. Have to have insulin kit handy. Have box that neatly holds 8 syrnges, 2 vials and dozens of alc pads. Built it in 2016 and the poor thing has been dropped onto tile multiple times, cats, don'cha know! 😃 Time for a new one! I had some walnut offcuts (6" & 8") that I resawed to...

www.lumberjocks.com

View attachment 138
TinkerCAD 3D model. Each item is a separate file.

View attachment 139
All parts cut

View attachment 140
Parts need cleaning to remove laser schmutz on edges

Click to expand...

Thought I would at least take a stab at a model. Without actual dimensions, it would be just a picture. Didn't try wood inserts in sides, top, inside, etc., but would be fairly easy. With dimensions, I would expect to add some bottle retainers, etc. I didn't see the compartment for the Alcohol Swabs. Not being a diabetic puts me at a disadvantage. I would expect thick walls to be hollowed out in the slicer and webbing added which gives it rigidity, uses less material, and decreases print time! All pluses. Didn't try adding a live hinged lid, but can see where that could still be an option. Let me know what you think.

EDIT:
My thought would be to print it from TPU which would allow some flexibility while thick walls would make it very tough and ridged.

• Does the wall near the vial holder need to be there?
• Are the Alcohol Patches stored on top the vials?
• How close do the walls come to the lid?
• Would it be better for the lid
  • To slide on? This is certainly possible, but the TPU might make sliding less easy.
  • Snap lock on?
  • Hinge and snap lock?

Box:


Lid:

... I didn't see the compartment for the Alcohol Swabs.
The swab packets fit between the rows of needles and sides

• Does the wall near the vial holder need to be there?

Yes, it keeps the syringes from slopping back and forth. This was an upgrade to the original design.

• Are the Alcohol Patches stored on top the vials?

No, between the two rows of needles, and between the needles and side walls. The spacing between the two dividers is important.

• How close do the walls come to the lid?

The lid just clears the tops of the vials. The syringe slots are about 1/16" too shallow.

• Would it be better for the lid:

To slide on? This is certainly possible, but the TPU might make sliding less easy.
* Original was self locking (friction) slide top with bevel in underside of lid and lower lip of end with lid slot. Lid fully removable makes filling easier.

Snap lock on?
* Long term snaps seem to wear out. Original box laster 6 years before drop damage took its toll.

Hinge and snap lock?
* Hard to make from wood, easier with filament.

MadMark said:

I thought you could just open it without joining anything since I made it public. Did it not just let you in? I'll post the .stl files individually if need be. but the TinkerCAD has all 7 pcs in one file.
Can we upload .stl's here?
TinkerCAD is free for personal use. no limits I've found yet.

Click to expand...

I could see everything, but I couldn’t measure anything or at least I couldn’t figure out how. To join, I had to enter personal info that I would rather not have on the internet. Would have been nice if I could. Sorry for the trouble.

If it’s easier, just list:

1. Length outside
2. Width outside
3. Height outside
4. Wall thickness if it’s not 1/4”
5. Space from inside end to first slotted divider
6. Space between slotted dividers
7. Width of slots
8. Depth of slots
9. Width of vial shelf
10. Diameter of vial holes
11. Center-to-Center Spacing between vial holes

I’ve already made it shallower and added the sliding lid flush to the top with 1/8” depth and 15* taper on each side. Found some 1/8” Walnut for the lid on Amazon. My woodworking friend can cut to size and taper the edges. Trying to decide if there should be anything like a name to personalize it or medical symbol laser printed on the top, sides…?

Haven’t decided on a material yet and whether to inlay Walnut veneer on the sides, probably not for the first one. Thought of making it from clear plexiglass and bond together, but I’m thinking keeping it more private (not see through) would be more prudent, less inviting.