This repository contains a python library to build Gridfinity boxes, baseplates, and other objects based on the CadQuery python library. The Gridfinity system was created by Zach Freedman as a versatile system of modular organization and storage modules. A vibrant community of user contributed modules and utilities has grown around the Gridfinity system. This repository contains python classes to create gridfinity compatible parameterized components such as baseplates and boxes.
Examples of how I am starting to use Gridfinity to organize my tools are shown below using components built with this python library:
cq-gridfinity has the following installation dependencies:
Assuming these dependencie are installed, you can install cq-gridfinity using a PyPI package as follows:
$ pip install cqgridfinityAlternatively, the cq-gridfinity package can be installed directly from the source code:
$ git clone https://github.com/michaelgale/cq-gridfinity.git
$ cd cq-gridfinity
$ pip install .After installation, the package can imported:
$ python
>>> import cqgridfinity
>>> cqgridfinity.__version__An example of the package can be seen below:
from cqgridfinity import *
# make a simple box
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, holes=True, no_lip=False, scoops=True, labels=True)
box.save_stl_file()
# Output a STL file of box:
# gf_box_3x2x5_holes_scoops_labels.stlThis package can be used to make your own python scripts to generate Gridfinity objects. This gives the flexibility to customize the object and combine with other code to add custom cutouts, add text labels, etc.
However, for simple generation of standard objects such as baseplates and boxes, console scripts can be used for quick command line usage. These console scripts are installed automatically into the path of your python environment and should be accessible from your terminal shell.
Make a customized/parameterized Gridfinity compatible box with many optional features.
usage: gridfinitybox [-h] [-m] [-u] [-n] [-s] [-l] [-e] [-d] [-r RATIO] [-ld LENGTHDIV] [-wd WIDTHDIV] [-wt WALL]
[-f FORMAT] [-o OUTPUT]
length width height
Make a customized/parameterized Gridfinity compatible box with many optional features.
positional arguments:
length Box length in U (1U = 42 mm)
width Box width in U (1U = 42 mm)
height Box height in U (1U = 7 mm)
options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-m, --magnetholes Add bottom magnet/mounting holes
-u, --unsupported Add bottom magnet holes with 3D printer friendly strips without support
-n, --nolip Do not add mating lip to the top perimeter
-s, --scoops Add finger scoops against each length-wise back wall
-l, --labels Add label strips against each length-wise front wall
-e, --ecolite Make economy / lite style box with no elevated floor
-d, --solid Make solid (filled) box for customized storage
-r RATIO, --ratio RATIO
Solid box fill ratio 0.0 = minimum, 1.0 = full height
-ld LENGTHDIV, --lengthdiv LENGTHDIV
Split box length-wise with specified number of divider walls
-wd WIDTHDIV, --widthdiv WIDTHDIV
Split box width-wise with specified number of divider walls
-wt WALL, --wall WALL
Wall thickness (default=1 mm)
-f FORMAT, --format FORMAT
Output file format (STEP, STL, SVG) default=STEP
-o OUTPUT, --output OUTPUT
Output filename (inferred output file format with extension)
Examples:
# 2x3x5 box with magnet holes saved to STL file with default filename:
$ gridfinitybox 2 3 5 -m -f stl
# gf_box_2x3x5_holes.stl
# 1x3x4 box with scoops, label strip, 3 internal partitions and specified name:
$ gridfinitybox 1 3 4 -s -l -ld 3 -o MyBox.step
# MyBox.step
# Solid 3x3x3 box with 50% fill, unsupported magnet holes and no top lip:
$ gridfinitybox 3 3 3 -d -r 0.5 -u -n
# gf_box_3x3x3_basic_holes_solid.step
# Lite style box 3x2x3 with label strip, partitions, output to default SVG file:
$ gridfinitybox 3 2 3 -e -l -ld 2 -f svg
# gf_box_lite_3x2x3_div2_labels.svg
Make a customized/parameterized Gridfinity compatible simple baseplate.
usage: gridfinitybase [-h] [-f FORMAT] [-s] [-d DEPTH] [-hd HOLEDIAM] [-hc CSKDIAM] [-ca CSKANGLE] [-o OUTPUT]
length width
Make a customized/parameterized Gridfinity compatible simple baseplate.
positional arguments:
length Box length in U (1U = 42 mm)
width Box width in U (1U = 42 mm)
options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-f FORMAT, --format FORMAT
Output file format (STEP, STL, SVG) default=STEP
-s, --screws Add screw mounting tabs to the corners (adds +5 mm to depth)
-d DEPTH, --depth DEPTH
Extrude extended depth under baseplate by this amount
-hd HOLEDIAM, --holediam HOLEDIAM
Corner mounting screw hole diameter (default=5)
-hc CSKDIAM, --cskdiam CSKDIAM
Corner mounting screw countersink diameter (default=10)
-ca CSKANGLE, --cskangle CSKANGLE
Corner mounting screw countersink angle (deg) (default=82)
-o OUTPUT, --output OUTPUT
Output filename (inferred output file format with extension)
Examples:
# 7 x 4 baseplate with screw corners to default STL file:
$ gridfinitybase 7 4 -s -f stl
# gf_baseplate_7x4x5.0_screwtabs.stl
Make a parameterized rugged storage box compatible with gridfinity. This box is based on the superb design by Pred on Printables. This implementation makes a few improvements and additions to Pred's design in addition to making almost all of the box's features optional and tunable. Using either the ruggedbox console script or the GridfinityRuggedBox class, you can make vast variety of different boxes of various sizes and features. By default, almost all of the boxes features are enabled, but by using the desired command line options you can customize your desired feature set.
usage: ruggedbox [-h] [+l] [-l] [+p] [-p] [+w] [-w] [-wt WINDOWTHICKNESS] [+a] [-a] [+c] [-c] [+s] [-s] [+v] [-v]
[+e] [-e] [+b] [-b] [-r] [+r] [-f FORMAT] [-o OUTPUT] [-gb] [-gl] [-ga] [-gh] [-ge] [-gn] [-gt]
[-gw]
length width height
Make a customized/parameterized Gridfinity compatible rugged box enclosure.
The minimum box size is 3U x 3U x 4U.
positional arguments:
length Box length in U (1U = 42 mm)
width Box width in U (1U = 42 mm)
height Box height in U (1U = 7 mm)
options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
+l, --label Add label window across the front wall
-l, --nolabel Remove label window across the front wall
+p, --lidbaseplate Add baseplate to top of the lid
-p, --nolidbaseplate Smooth/plain lid
+w, --lidwindow Add window slot to the lid
-w, --nolidwindow Do not add window slot to the lid
-wt WINDOWTHICKNESS, --windowthickness WINDOWTHICKNESS
Thickness of lid windows (mm)
+a, --handle Add front handle
-a, --nohandle No front handle
+c, --clasps Add clasps to the left and right side walls
-c, --noclasps No clasps on the left and right side walls
+s, --stackable Add stackable mating features to top and bottom
-s, --notstackable Non-stackable box
+v, --veegroove Add v-cut grooves to side walls
-v, --noveegroove No v-cut grooves (plain) side walls
+e, --sidehandle Add handles to side walls
-e, --nosidehandle No handles on side walls
+b, --backfeet Add standing feet to back wall
-b, --nobackfeet No standing feet added to back wall
-r, --normalstyle Make normal style box
+r, --ribstyle Make rib style box with exposed vertical ribs
-f FORMAT, --format FORMAT
Output file format (STEP, STL, SVG) default=STEP
-o OUTPUT, --output OUTPUT
Output filename (inferred output file format with extension)
-gb, --box Generate box
-gl, --lid Generate lid
-ga, --acc Generate accessory components
-gh, --hinge Generate hinge element
-ge, --genlabel Generate label panel insert
-gn, --genhandle Generate front handle
-gt, --genlatch Generate latch component
-gw, --genwindow Generate lid window component
example usage:
5 x 4 x 6 rugged box shell and lid saved to STL files:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 --box --lid -f stl
Examples:
5 x 4 x 6 rugged box component saved to STL file:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 -gb -f stl
____ _ ____
| _ \ _ _ __ _ __ _ ___ __| | __ ) _____ __
| |_) | | | |/ _` |/ _` |/ _ \/ _` | _ \ / _ \ \/ /
| _ <| |_| | (_| | (_| | __/ (_| | |_) | (_) > <
|_| \_\\__,_|\__, |\__, |\___|\__,_|____/ \___/_/\_\
|___/ |___/
Version: 0.5.7
Gridfinity rugged box: 5U x 4U x 6U
Exterior dim: 230.0 mm x 188.0 mm x 55.0 mm
Interior dim: 210.0 mm x 168.0 mm x 45.8 mm
Internal volume: 1.616 L
Wall Vgrooves : Y
Front Handle : Y
Stackable : Y
Side Clasps : Y
Lid Baseplate : Y
Inside Baseplate : Y
Side Handles : Y
Front Label : Y
Back Feet : Y
Rib Style : N
Lid Window : N
Rendering box...
Component generated and saved as gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_body_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.stl in STL format
$# same 5 x 4 x 6 rugged box with the lid saved to STL file:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 --lid -f stl
# gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_lid_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.stl
# 5 x 5 x 9 rugged box, smooth lid, non-stackable, and no handle; full assembly saved to STEP file
$ ruggedbox 5 5 9 --nohandle --nolidbaseplate --notstackable
# gf_ruggedbox_5x5x9_fr-l_sd-hc.step
# Render the box, lid, and hinge for a 5x4x6 rugged box all at once:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 --box --lid --hinge
# gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step
# gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_lid_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step
# gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_hinge_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step
# Then render the latches and handle components for the same box:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 --acc
# gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_acc_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step
# Or render individual components as STL files with your preferred name:
$ ruggedbox 5 4 6 --genhandle --genlatch -o orange.stl
# orange_handle.stl
# orange_latch.stlGridfinity baseplates can be made with the GridfinityBaseplate class. The baseplate style is the basic style initially proposed by Zach Freedman. Therefore, it does not have magnet or mounting holes. An example usage is as follows:
# Create 4 x 3 baseplate
baseplate = GridfinityBaseplate(4, 3)
baseplate.save_step_file()
# gf_baseplate_4x3.step
Baseplates can be rendered with extra depth to make a taller overall baseplate using the ext_depth attribute. Furthermore, mounting screws corner tabs can be added to the baseplate with the corner_screws attribute. A baseplate with this feature is shown below.
ext_depth = 0 # extended depth to extrude below baseplate
straight_bottom = False # add/remove 0.8 mm chamfer on bottom of baseplate
corner_screws = False # add corner mounting screw tabs
corner_tab_size = 21 # size of screw mounting tab (mm)
csk_hole = 5.0 # hole diameter of countersink mounting screw (mm)
csk_diam = 10.0 # countersink diameter (mm)
csk_angle = 82 # countersink angle (deg)Gridfinity boxes with many optional features can be created with the GridfinityBox class. As a minimum, this class is initialized with basic 3D unit dimensions for length, width, and height. The length and width are multiples of 42 mm Gridfinity intervals and height represents multiples of 7 mm.
# Create a simple 3 x 2 box, 5U high
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5)
box.save_step_file()
# Output a STEP file of box named:
# gf_box_3x2x5.step
"Lite" style boxes are simplified for faster 3D printing with less material. They remove the continuous floor at 7.2 mm and the box becomes a homogenous 1 mm thick walled shell. "lite" style boxes can include labels and dividers; however, the number of dividers must correspond to the same bottom partition ridges, i.e. length_div must be length_u - 1 and width_div must be width_u - 1. "lite" style cannot be combined with solid boxes, finger scoops, or magnet holes.
# Create a "lite" style 3 x 2 box, 5U high
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, lite_style=True)
box.save_step_file()
# Output a STEP file of box named:
# gf_box_lite_3x2x5.step
# add magnet holes to the box
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, holes=True)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_3x2x5_holes.step
The unsupported_holes attribute can specify either regular holes or modified/unsupported holes which are more suitable for 3D-printing. These modified holes include thin filler strips which allow the slicer to avoid using supports to render the underside holes.
# add magnet holes to the box
box = GridfinityBox(1, 1, 5, holes=True, unsupported_holes=True)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_1x1x5_holes.step
# remove top mounting lip
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, no_lip=True)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_3x2x5_basic.step
# add finger scoops and label top flange
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, scoops=True, labels=True)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_3x2x5_scoops_labels.step
# add dividing walls
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, length_div=2, width_div=1, scoops=True, labels=True)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_3x2x5_div2x1_scoops_labels.step
# make a partially solid box
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, solid=True, solid_ratio=0.7)
box.save_step_file()
# gf_box_3x2x5_solid.step
length_div=0 # add dividing walls along length
width_div=0 # add dividing walls along width
holes=False # add magnet holes to bottom
unsupported_holes=False # 3D-printer friendly hole style requiring no supports
no_lip=False # remove top mating lip feature
scoops=False # add finger scoops
scoop_rad=11 # radius of optional interior scoops
labels=False # add a label flange to the top
label_width=12 # width of the label strip
label_height=10 # thickness height of label overhang
label_lip_height=0.8 # thickness of label vertical lip
lite_style=False # make a "lite" version of box without elevated floor
solid=False # make a solid box
solid_ratio=1.0 # ratio of solid height range 0.0 to 1.0 (max height)
wall_th=1.0 # wall thickness (0.5-2.5 mm)
fillet_interior=True # enable/disable internal fillet edgesThe GridfinityDrawerSpacer class can be used to make spacer components to fit a drawer with any arbitrary dimensions. Initialize with specified width and depth of the drawer (in mm) and the best fit of integer gridfinity baseplate units is computed. Rarely, integer multiples of 42 mm gridfinity baseplates fit perfectly inside a drawer; therefore, spacers are required to secure the baseplate snuggly inside the drawer. Spacers consist of 4x identical corner sections, 2x spacers for the left and right sides and 2x spacers for the front and back edges.
If the computed spacer width falls below a configurable threshold (default 4 mm), then no spacer component is made in that dimension. The spacer components are made by default with interlocking "jigsaw" type features to assist with assembly and to secure the spacers within the drawer. Also, alignment arrows (default but optional) are placed on the components to indicate the installation orientation in the direction of the drawer movement.
# make drawer spacers for Craftsman tool chest drawer 23" wide x 19" deep
spacer = GridfinityDrawerSpacer(582, 481, verbose=True)
# Best fit for 582.00 x 481.00 mm is 13U x 11U
# with 18.00 mm margin each side and 9.50 mm margin front and back
# Corner spacers : 4U wide x 3U deep
# Front/back spacers : 5U wide x 9.25 mm +0.25 mm tolerance
# Left/right spacers : 5U deep x 17.75 mm +0.25 mm tolerance
A full set of components (optionally including a full baseplate) can be rendered with the render_full_set() method. This method is mostly used to verify the fit and placement of the spacers.
Normally, the render_half_set() method used to render half of the components compactly arranged conveniently for 3D printing. This set can be printed twice to make a full set for a single drawer.
thickness=GR_BASE_HEIGHT # thickness of spacers, default=5 mm
chamf_rad=1.0 # chamfer radius of spacer top/bottom edges
show_arrows=True # show orientation arrows indicating drawer in/out direction
align_features=True # add "jigsaw" interlocking feautures
align_tol=0.15 # tolerance of the interlocking joint
align_min=8 # minimum spacer width for adding interlocking feature
min_margin=4 # minimum size to make a spacer, nothing is made for smaller gaps
tolerance=GR_TOL # overall tolerance for spacer components, default=0.5 mmAn example use case to make a set of spacer components for a typical IKEA narrow ALEX drawer is as follows:
spacers = GridfinityDrawerSpacer(INCHES(11.5), INCHES(20.5), verbose=True)
spacers.render_full_set(include_baseplate=True)
spacers.save_step_file("ikea_alex_full_set.step")
# make a half set for 3D printing
spacers.render_half_set()
spacers.save_stl_file("ikea_alex_half_set.stl")
The GridfinityRuggedBox class can be used to make gridfinity compatible rugged storage boxes. This box is based on the superb design by Pred on Printables.
The cq-gridfinity derivative version of Pred's box is completely parameterized and generated completely with code in the GridfinityRuggedBox class. This lets you render the most minimalist box configuration with no added features up to a full-featured box as shown below:
The desired box size and features are specified with keyword arguments/attributes such as the ones illustrated below:
A alternative "rib style" rugged box is also available. This adds vertical rib stiffeners around the perimeter of the box and it is recommended to disable the side handles to allow for ribs to be generated on all sides.
Lastly, the lid baseplate can be substituted with a lid window which makes the contents of the box visible. The window consists of a seperately prepared 1 mm thick transparent acrylic sheet cut to the required dimensions. These dimensions can be queried with the lid_window_size() method or will be printed to the console when using the ruggedbox shell script.
After the lid has been printed the process to install the lid window is as follows:
- Cut the lid window to the required dimensions. It is recommended to chamfer or round off the leading edge corners with a file prior to insertion.
- Slide the window into the lid starting from the back and along the tapered window groove slot around the inside perimeter of the lid.
- The window should be inserted just past the retention slots for the hinges.
- Secure the lid with 3x M2 screws along the back of the lid. Carefully drill 2.5 mm clearance holes into the window in situ prior to installation of the screws. Alternatively, the lid can be secured with a few drops of super glue along the rear edge.
- Install the lid hinges. The hinges must be installed last since they act as a physical retainer along the back edge of the window.
The lid window should nominally be 1 mm thick; however if it necessary to use a different thickness material, the window_th attribute can be set. It recommended to keep the window thickness in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 mm.
The rugged box can be rendered either as a complete assembly or as individual components. This is useful for making individual asset files for 3D printing. The render methods include the render_assembly() method as shown above for the complete assembly, as well as individual render methods summarized below:
render() - renders just the main box body shell:
render_lid() - renders the lid:
render_accessories() - renders the accessory component elements as a group in the quantities required for the desired box:
Lastly, each individual component has an individual render method.
render_hinge()render_latch()render_label()render_handle()
lid_height = 10 # lid height (should be multiple of 10 mm for stacking)
wall_vgrooves = True # enable horizontal v-grooves to body shell
front_handle = True # enable front handle
stackable = True # add mating stackable features
side_clasps = True # add extra side latching clasps
lid_baseplate = True # enable top/lid baseplate
inside_baseplate = True # enable interior baseplate
side_handles = True # enable side handles to box
front_label = True # enable front label panel
label_length = None # length of front label panel, None=auto size
label_height = None # height of front label panel, None=auto size
label_th = GR_LABEL_TH # thickness of label panel, default=0.5 mm
back_feet = True # add rear back feet matching hinges to allow the stand box vertically
hinge_width = GR_HINGE_SZ # Size of hinge, default=32 mm
hinge_bolted = False # printed or bolted hinge construction
box_color = cq.Color(0.25, 0.25, 0.25) # colors for the assembly STEP file
lid_color = cq.Color(0.25, 0.5, 0.75)
handle_color = cq.Color(0.75, 0.5, 0.25)
latch_color = cq.Color(0.75, 0.5, 0.25)
hinge_color = cq.Color(0.75, 0.5, 0.25)
label_color = cq.Color(0.7, 0.7, 0.7)The GridfinityObject is the base class for GridfinityBox, GridfinityBaseplate, etc. It has several useful methods and attributes including:
obj.filename(self, prefix=None, path=None) returns a filename string with descriptive attributes such as the object size and enabled features.
box = GridfinityBox(3, 2, 5, holes=True)
box.filename()
# gf_box_3x2x5_holes
box.filename(prefix="MyBox")
# MyBox_3x2x5_holes
box.filename(path="./outputfiles")
# ./outputfiles/gf_box_3x2x5_holes
box2 = GridfinityBox(4, 3, 3, holes=True, length_div=2, width_div=1)
box2.filename()
# gf_box_4x3x3_holes_div2x1# Export object to STEP, STL, or SVG file
obj.save_step_file(filename=None, path=None, prefix=None)
obj.save_stl_file(filename=None, path=None, prefix=None)
obj.save_svg_file(filename=None, path=None, prefix=None)The automatic filename assignment is aware of the last object generated with a particular class's render method. Therefore, you can call any render method and then call any of the save_step_file, save_stl_file, save_svg_file methods and the filename will adapt to the last object rendered. For example:
b1 = GridfinityRuggedBox(5, 4, 6)
b1.render_accessories()
b1.save_step_file()
# saved as "gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_acc_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step"
b1.render_handle()
b1.save_stl_file()
# saved as "gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_handle_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.stl"
b1.render_hinge()
b1.save_svg_file(path="./mystuff")
# saved as "./mystuff/gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_hinge_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.svg"
b1.render_assembly()
b1.save_step_file()
# saved as "gf_ruggedbox_5x4x6_assembly_fr-hl_sd-hc_stack_lidbp.step"obj.cq_obj returns a rendered CadQuery Workplane object
obj.length returns length in mm
obj.width returns width in mm
obj.height returns height in mm
obj.top_ref_height returns the height of the top surface of a solid box or the floor height of an empty box. This can be useful for making custom boxes with cutouts since the reference height can be used to orient the cutting solid to the correct height.
- add more example scripts
- improve documentation
- v.0.1.0 - First release on PyPI
- v.0.1.1 - Fixed release
- v.0.2.0 - Added new "lite" style box
- v.0.2.1 - Added new unsupported magnet hole types
- v.0.2.2 - Added SVG export and integrated STL exporter
- v.0.2.3 - Updated to python build tools to make distribution
- v.0.3.0 - Added console generator scripts:
gridfinityboxandgridfinitybase - v.0.4.0 - Added
GridfinityRuggedBoxclass andruggedboxconsole script. Various other improvements. - v.0.4.1 - Fixed docstring in
__init__.py - v.0.4.2 - Improved script automatic renaming
- v.0.4.3 - Fixed regression bug with using multilevel extrusion functions from cq-kit
- v.0.4.4 - IMPORTANT FIX: generated geometry breaks using CadQuery v.2.4+ due to changes in CadQuery's
extrudemethod. This version should work with any CQ version since it detects which CQ extrusion implementation is used at runtime. - v.0.4.5 - IMPORTANT FIX: fixes error in v.0.4.4 for extrusion angle
- v.0.5.0 - Improved rugged box to make viable boxes down to 3U x 3U x 4U
- v.0.5.1 - Increased the resolution of the gridfinity extruded base profile
- v.0.5.2 - Adjusted geometry of box/bin floor/lip heights to exactly 7.00 mm intervals
- v.0.5.3 - Removed a potential namespace collision for computing the height of boxes
- v.0.5.4 - Optimized the geometry of the baseplate top height
- v.0.5.5 - Added underside bin clearance and variable wall thickness interior radiusing
- v.0.5.6 - Added adjustable magnet hole diameter to box. Prevent drawer spacers being rendered which fall below minimum size
- v.0.5.7 - Added scoops to lite-style boxes. Added new "rib style" rugged box. Added a lid window feature to the rugged box.
- Zach Freedman's YouTube Channel
- The video that started it all!
- Gridfinity Documentation repo
- Gridfinity Unofficial wiki
- Catalogs
- Software/Tools
- Videos
cq-gridfinity was written by Michael Gale