Quick Start

Introduction

Kudos for kicking things off by diving into this documentation! This quick start guide is your condensed intro to the LR2052 storage boxes system. For each subject, you’ll find corresponding in-depth material available in other chapters.

What Exactly Is the LR2052 Storage Boxes System?

The LR2052 system offers an expansive collection of 3D-printable storage boxes, rail grids, and various supplementary components. Designed for perfect compatibility, each element slots into a standardized grid layout of 60x60mm in width and depth and 40mm in height.

Thanks to their precision-engineered geometry, the components align seamlessly at the edges and stack efficiently. This allows you to maximize storage utilization, whether in drawers or on shelves, in all three dimensions.

Your Feedback is Highly Valued

As we delve into the intricacies of the storage box system, I’d like to take a moment to emphasize how much I value your feedback. I’m driven by engineering excellence and am genuinely interested in understanding how these models are performing in your unique setups—be it a workshop, an industrial application, or any other use-case.

Positive feedback, constructive criticism, and new ideas are all equally important to me. While I strive to respond to your messages as promptly as I can, if for some reason you feel your message has not reached me, I urge you not to hesitate in using an alternative communication channel. Messages can sometimes get lost in the digital ether.

Read more in chapter Your Feedback is Highly Valued.

Decoding the Part Numbers

Every component in the LR2052 system comes with a unique identifier, for instance:

LR2052-123D-G3

All part numbers in this system kick off with LR2052. Here, LR stands for Lucky Resistor, followed by 20 for the year of inception and 52 denoting the project number for that year.

The subsequent segment, separated by a -, is 123D. In this case, 1 represents the series, which encapsulates the core features of a set of models. The numbers 2 and 3 refer to the width and depth respectively, expressed in grid units. So, 2 equates to 120mm, and 3 to 180mm.

The letter that follows, ranging from A-Z, indicates the revision version of the model. When I make enhancements to existing models, this revision letter bumps up, signaling potential geometric changes.

Optional suffixes like G3 add further details. For instance, the G stands for “grid,” implying the box contains internal dividers. The accompanying number 3 specifies the layout of these compartments.

For a comprehensive breakdown, you can check out the chapter on Part Numbers Explained.

What Are Series in the Context of Storage Boxes?

The term “series” is used to group together storage box models that share common characteristics, most often varying just by size. Think of a series as a family of products designed to meet different needs but built around a core concept. When referring to a series, I commonly use a template part number like LR2052-100D, where the size-specific digits are replaced by 00.

For a pictorial overview of the series and their distinctive features, check out the Visual Overview chapter.

How Is the File Repository Structured?

When you navigate to the download area, you’ll find four principal folders, each serving a specific purpose:

• Models: This folder is your main hub for all current storage box models. Files are systematically organized by series, making it easy to browse and find what you need. This is likely the folder you’ll visit most often to explore the full range of models available.

• Packages: This folder hosts ZIP packages that consolidate individual series, types, or sizes of files for convenient bulk download. If you know exactly what you’re looking for and wish to download a series in one go, this is where you’ll find it.

• Archive: This is the go-to folder for historical versions of storage box models. If you’re looking for earlier revisions, you’ll find them neatly archived here.

The structure is designed to streamline your navigation and make it as straightforward as possible to find the resources you’re looking for. Whether you’re a newcomer exploring the various offerings or a returning user looking for updates, the file repository is crafted to serve your needs efficiently.

Read more in chapter File Organization in the Download Area.

What Should Be Your First Model to Print?

The best starting point depends on the types of items you intend to store. If you’re aiming for some initial test prints to familiarize yourself with the system, I recommend starting with a few boxes from the “100D” series:

• LR2052-112D
• LR2052-122D
• LR2052-123D
• LR2052-111D

After you’ve got the hang of it, consider branching out to print some double-height boxes from the “300D” series:

• LR2052-322D
• LR2052-323D

And don’t forget to also try your hand at a few flat boxes from the “200C” series:

• LR2052-223D
• LR2052-212D

Doing so will give you a well-rounded sense of the system’s versatility and help you decide which models best meet your specific needs.

If you’re planning to use these boxes in a drawer, printing some rail grids could be beneficial for added organization.

How to Choose the Right Rail Grid?

While the storage boxes function perfectly well without rail grids, adding them can enhance the boxes’ stability in a drawer setup, particularly if you don’t want them to move in the drawer.

• No Preference: If you don’t have a particular preference, the 700D series is a good all-around choice.

• Direct Surface Contact: If you prefer your boxes to sit flush with the drawer surface, consider rail grids from series 1800A or 1900A.

• Elevated Positioning: For those who’d like a bit of clearance beneath the boxes, go for 700E, 1600A, or 1700A.

• Snug Fit: If you want to minimize lateral movement, you’ll find 1700A or 1900A to be the best fit.

• Easy Handling: If you’d like a bit of wiggle room to make handling the boxes easier, 700E, 1600A, or 1800A are your go-to options.

• Material Efficiency: If conserving print material is a priority for you, it’s best to avoid the 700E series as it tends to use more material.

By considering these aspects, you can make an informed choice tailored to your storage needs and operational preferences.

Read more about this topic in the chapter Visual Overview.

Supported Nozzle Sizes

The storage boxes are optimized for printing with nozzle sizes of 0.4mm, 0.6mm, or 0.8mm. While you can experiment with other sizes, non-standard nozzle dimensions like 0.5mm might result in less-than-ideal print quality.

• For aesthetically superior prints, stick with a 0.4mm nozzle.
• If speed is your main concern, opt for a 0.8mm nozzle.

Recommended Printer Settings

While I’m not claiming to be a 3D printing guru, and given that printer technology is ever-evolving, the following settings have yielded solid results in my experience.

Key Print Parameters

Suggested Layer Heights

Feel free to experiment with these settings as a baseline and adjust according to your printer’s specific capabilities and the materials you’re using. Keep in mind that newer generations of 3D printers may have features that could enable you to further optimize these parameters.

Explore the chapter How to Print the Storage Boxes for an in-depth look at the printing process.

About the Free and Paid Licenses

I offer the storage boxes under two types of licenses: a free Creative Commons license and a paid “Limited License.”

The models available for download from the Printables website are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. In layman’s terms, this means you are free to use, share, and adapt these models as long as it’s for non-commercial purposes and you give appropriate credit. Any derivatives must also be shared under the same license.

For many, this generous selection of free storage box models is more than sufficient. However, for those who need a little extra, I offer the Limited License for a nominal fee.

With this low-cost lifetime license, you unlock two key advantages:

• You can use and sell prints of the storage boxes commercially.
• You gain access to an extensive library of over 5000 models, beyond the smaller free set.

The complete terms of the Limited License can be found here, and you can purchase this license in my shop.

Why Two Types of Licenses?

If you’ve browsed my shop, you’ll notice it carries a single item—the license for the storage box system. What’s more, the fee for accessing over 5000 models is modest, to say the least.

I offer an array of free resources on my website, including useful information, ad-free content, free models, and open-source code and hardware. I’m a firm believer in the sharing of knowledge and information for the greater good.

However, hosting these resources and developing the models is not without cost. That’s where the Limited License comes into play. It’s geared toward commercial users and power users who can afford the modest fee, without financially burdening those on a tighter budget.

By purchasing a license here or making a small donation here, you’re directly contributing to the sustainability of this project. Additionally, I make it a point to donate a portion of these funds to organizations and projects that resonate with my values. A list of such organizations can be found on the about page of my website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sell Printed Boxes?

• For the Free Set: No, selling boxes from the free set constitutes commercial use, which is not permitted under the Creative Commons license.

• With a Paid License: Yes, purchasing a license not only grants you access to over 5000+ model files but also allows you to generate income by selling prints.

Are Fusion360 Sources for the Boxes Available?

No, I don’t provide Fusion360 source files for the storage boxes. These aren’t simple parameterized designs; they’re more complex and depend on a variety of scripts to build the models from it. As such, the source files wouldn’t be particularly useful for the average user.

If you have additional questions, consult the Frequently Asked Questions chapter. Should your inquiry remain unresolved, please feel free to contact me. For more details, refer to Your Feedback is Highly Valued.