Replicator 2/2X hinges and handle for the lid

thingiverse

For the price you might expect a Replicator 2X would come with a hinge for the vacuum formed (and very welcome) lid. (Wait, what am I thinking...) Here is a somewhat delux / overengineered version of hinges and handle for this model. It uses ball bearing for the hinge and will support the lid nicely when open. You could get away with printed hinge bearings but it would not be as "nice". (And we all know how important it is to be nice). But for those who wish to tweak, there are source design files in rhino3D and STEP formats. Works like a bought one. Enjoy. Instructions There are STL's for the lower machine clip (Hinge A) and the upper hinge (Hinge B) and handle. There is a separate STL for the hinge pivot as this needs to be quite strong. The Hinges A/B and handle can be printed in whatever you like, but the pivot will do best in PLA with 100% infill. Hinge B has some print support structured in the design to prevent sagging of the important hinge pivot area. These break away without difficulty like any support material. It MUST however be printed with slicer support as well. Other than the pivot STL, the STLs all have "stick down" flanges to minimise the potential for print curling. Works a treat. The handle has matching plates for the other side of the lid. When screwed together these distribute the screw pressure to provide a secure fit without the possibility of tearing / distortion of the hole. (Which may occur with a simple screw). Looks nicer too; and as noted above, nice is nice. The ball bearing are easily obtainable 22mm OD/ 8mm ID / 7mm depth - used in roller blades everywhere... Which is why I have a bunch lying around the house which therefore get preferentially designed into things. (Just nip out and nick one or two from your kid's blades; they'll never notice!) The upper hinge (B) will support the lid when open without problems and sits snug through the lid motion. I have however chosen to bond it to the lid with double sided tape. This ensures the hinges don't move from side to side as you "flip the lid". I had considered using magnets in the A hinge to secure them to the machine upper surface, but the tape approach has the benefit of being simple and eliminating upper hinge rattle. UPDATE 11 July 2013 While no problem has been reported with printing, it seems there are problems with loading some the STLs into other programmes. There is a new ZIP file with refreshed STL's which check out clean in Netfabb UPDATE 30 July 2013 Have slimmed down Hinga A in a tweaked version for those experiencing print head collisions. (I have not had this problem, but this will avoid it...)