Enigma Puzzle Box

Enigma Puzzle Box

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Print Profile(1)

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P1S
P1P
X1
X1 Carbon
X1E
A1

0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
7.4 h
2 plates
4.7(26)

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334
Released

Description

This original design puzzle box, with hidden latches, sliding panels, a mystery dial, and covered with runic symbology, is the perfect place to keep your most valuable keepsakes safe (from anyone without a hammer). It requires just the right sequence of dial and panel motions to open it. Or to fully close it. It's actually not that diabolical, making it great for kids.

Printing
I printed this in Pearl Mouse PLA with Black for the accent colors. No supports are required for any of the parts. Use exactly 0.2mm layers to make the build-in removable supports print correctly. I would also recommend using a 0.4mm or smaller nozzle. Print 2 of each latch piece and on of everything else.

To get the accent colors, print the first layer of both sides and the dial in your accent color, and then change the filament to print the rest in the main color. For the lid, print the first 38 layers (up to 7.6mm) in the main color and then print the rest of the layers in your accent color.

Assembly
First note that the main box part has 2 built-in break-away supports on either side in the upper slots. One is highlighted in blue on the photo below. Theses should just pull out cleanly.

The Latch pieces each need a small length of filament to act as a pins that fit into the dial. The holes in the ends of the latches are a tight fit on 1.75mm filament, so start off cutting about a 15mm length and cut a taper on one end. Jam the tapered end into the hole first and then tap in partway through. cut the tapered end off flush with the one side of the latch and the other end should protrude by 2.5mm as shown in the photo below:

Insert the 4 latches into the hole in the cover with the pins facing up as shown:

Flip the whole thing over and place the dial in the center hole. Slide the latches in or out so that all 4 fit into the groove in the bottom side of the dial:

Now press the dial bottom onto the underside of the dial and press click it onto place.

One of the two side pieces had just one hole on this inside. Slide it onto the grooves on the end that allows it to drop down about ½" from flush with the top:

The other side piece has 2 holes in the end, and it should slide into the grooves on the end that only allows it to drop down about ¼":

Getting the Lid On or Off
Now comes the tricky part. First note that as you turn the dial, the latches on all 4 sides will move in and out – from retracting flush to sticking out 2.5mm to sticking out 5mm. Moving these latches in and out in the right sequence will allow you to get the top in place.

Start with all 4 latches sticking out an equal amount on all sides. Now, If you lift body of the box up, one side will.. drop down just a little, but the other will drop down enough to state sliding the lid on. As you start sliding the lid on, it'll go almost all the way. Next, fiddle with the dial until the lid can slide all the way on. (You're doing this blind, but that's what makes it fun!)

Next, turn the dial until the final exposed latch, is flush with the end of the lid. Slide that end up flush with the top. Then rotate the dial some more until you can fully lift the second side of the box. Give the dial another 1/8th turn and everything is locked up!

Just reverse this process to get the box back open.

Comment & Rating (34)

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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
a fun box. unfortunately there’s a lot of friction trying to spin the dial so it’s not as smooth to operate as I’d hoped.
The designer has replied
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Thanks! It needs some reworking. I have written a few words about this in the description. After that, everything moves smoothly.
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What filament/color is this? Looks awesome.
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
Sieht toll aus. Etwas schleifen notwendig, aber ging schnell.
The designer has replied
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Das Schleifen ist aufgrund der spaltbaren Filamenteigenschaften unvermeidlich. Es ist schön.
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
Nice! Printed on A1 mini,
(Edited)
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
Tolerances were a little tight. Be sure to print the snap-in dial cover with a durable filament. The dial desperately needs something for grip. Way too low and flat; was frustrating to try to turn. Had to use a jar opener to get enough purchase. Move sequence that I was able to use to get it assembled: 1. Point the arrow on the dial at one of the "crosses" such that all the tabs all protrude evenly. This is 12 o'clock. 2. Set the dial to 3 o'clock. All the tabs should protrude evenly again. If not, try the other cross as 12 o'clock in step 1. Insert the lid as far as it will go. 3. Set the dial to 4 o'clock, lift the back panel into its first position, then slide the lid the rest of the way in. 4. Set the dial to 7 o'clock, lift the front panel all the way up. 5. Set the dial to 1 o'clock, lift the back the rest of the way up, then set the dial to 12 o'clock to lock everything in.
The designer has replied
2
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Thank you! I have experienced similar things. The model can be remixed freely if you have the time or energy to try to implement your idea.
(Edited)
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Replying to @ptesza :
We'll see. Not very experienced editing STLs. What did you model this in? If you have an .f3d file I'm probably more likely to have success. Nice model otherwise! Looks really nice in gold silk PLA. Turned on ironing for a smooth finish on the lid also.
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Replying to @mixnmatch :
Unfortunately, the model files are not available. I only made the print profile for this upload. The appearance of the upper surface is because I set concentric filling.
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
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Thank you for the design.
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
Worked pretty good. So far I’ve only printed a couple parts. The design looks very well thought out. The only thing I would say is that the instructions aren’t super clear. Thanks for sharing your work!
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Overall good print. I waxed the friction points which seemed to help considerably. Also scraped some areas with a knife to even out some of the top layer bumpyness on some of the parts. The bottom the dial snags on the door, lightly scraping the sharp edge of the door helped, if the door could drop just another .5mm it would probably not snag.
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
fantastic print. easy design. all the pieces fit with minimal issue. I put a little grease in the grooves of the wheel to help it move a bit smoother and printed the underside of the wheel in PETG cause the teeth kept snapping. but with those changes for me, it’s super fun!
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Print Profile
0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 25% infill
Little touch up with sand paper and the fit was perfect! Thanks!
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