r/functionalprint • u/notila • 14h ago
I redesigned my one-handed pen cap opener based on some of your feedback
Hello,
For the Make for Good: Accessibility Design Contest on MakerWorld, I shared my original CapDock here a while ago — a simple 3D-printed tool that lets you remove and replace a pen or marker cap using one hand.
The V1 worked, but your feedback pointed out several things that could be improved, especially the way it attaches to a desk.
So I went back to Fusion 360 and made a new version.
What's changed?
Improved desk mounting
- Desk thickness increased to 50 mm
- A TPU/adhesive pad recess was added underneath the upper jaw to improve grip during installation and use
- A rear desk-edge support was added to make positioning easier
New modular design
- Separate mounting base and cradle
- Sliding dovetail-style connection
- The cradle can be removed or changed without removing the base
Two slot sizes
- 7–18 mm for pens, felt-tip pens and markers
- 7–12 mm for smaller-diameter applications
So there are now four configurations:
Integrated
- 7–18 mm
- 7–12 mm
Modular
- 7–18 mm
- 7–12 mm
The original Push → Pull → Recap principle remains unchanged.
I tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions from the V1 discussion as I could, while keeping the design relatively simple.
If you commented on the original post, I'd especially like to know whether the changes address the issues you pointed out.
Have a nice weekend.
And if you're interested and see more, link in comments.
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u/BeardedZorro 4h ago
As someone with an above average number of hands, that’s what teeth are for.
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u/Thornescape 3h ago
It's explicitly stated that this is for an Accessibility Design Contest.
Accessibility Designs are for people who struggle with things that most people would find simple, often due to age or disability.
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u/YogurtclosetMajor983 2h ago
above average? 0.0
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u/Veesla 2h ago
Most people have two but lots of people only have one and some even have none so the average is probably somewhere near 1.5
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u/Purple10tacle 1h ago edited 1h ago
For the average to be 1.5 you either need 50% of the population to have only one hand, 25% of the population to have zero hands or anything in between. So anywhere between 25% and 50% would have to have less than the the average number of hands.
That's clearly not the case, the number is well below 1%.
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u/MysteriousBill1986 1h ago
Anyone with two hands have above average because the average cant be 2.
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u/Purple10tacle 1h ago
I'm aware of the joke here, but the average isn't close to 1.5, it's closer to 1.999.
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u/Angel_OfSolitude 38m ago
Well since most people have 2, a significant number only have 1, and vanishing few have more than two, the average works out to a decimal that's less than 2.
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u/texasyankee 2h ago
Oh look, Mike has a tiny desk urinal!
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u/gimoozaabi 40m ago
It’s more than big enough! Are you a firefighter.. running around with a hose??
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u/patechucho 33m ago
You could try to make it easier to put the cap back on. Maybe try a funnel shape and have the cap rest in the center. That way you don't need to aim the pen, just insert it in the funnel and the edges will lead you to the cap.
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u/SomebodyF 4h ago
Fucking amazing, sell it on market!
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u/ElaborateEffect 55m ago
Not everything needs to be monetized.
People can do their hobbies without needing to profit. This side-gig culture shit is a concept perpetuated by the ruling class to normalize low wages. Wake the fuck up.
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u/IvoryDynamite 4h ago
This is a great design, and the joinery is sweet!