[Kadah]’s solution for storing short tapes of SMT parts is as attractive as it is clever. The small 3D-printed “tape reels” can double as dispensers, and stack nicely onto each other thanks to the sockets for magnets. The units come in a few different sizes, but are designed to stack in a consistent way.

We love the little touches such as recessed areas for labels, and the fact that the parts can print without supports (there are a couple of unsupported bridges, but they should work out fine.) Also, the outer dimensions of the units are not an accident. They have been specifically chosen to nestle snugly into the kind of part drawers that are a nearly ubiquitous feature of every hardware hacker’s work bench.

STLs are provided for handy download but [Kadah] also provides the original Fusion 360 design file, with all sizes defined as easily-customized parameters. In addition, [Kadah] thoughtfully provided each model in STEP format as well, making it easy to import and modify in almost any 3D CAD program.

Providing 3D models in STEP format alongside STLs is nice to see, because it gives more options to people if things need some tweaking, because editing the STL file can be done if needed, but isn’t optimal. Thankfully the ability to export STEP files is still open to hobbyists using Fusion 360, since Autodesk decided to leave that feature available to personal use licenses.

Just needs the clips to mount it on a rail: https://hackaday.com/2019/11/07/3d-printed-magazines-tame-the-smd-tape-beast/

I KNEW I SAW THIS BEFORE.

Still a good effort by Kadah, his design does look more complete, and adding a STEP file was really good of them.

Mine predates [robin7331]’s. Due to laziness, and Thingiverse being down a lot, I didn’t get around to release it for a couple years. This was my take on combining https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2186862 and https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2414955

For my hand PnP, I built a stack of them from the BOM, then palm one on a time and pick parts right off the tape with a cheap vac pickup tool I made.

A rail isn’t a bad idea and could be added. Might be handy for extra security for stacks when kept in project bins or when moving around. You could also enlarge the magnet holes and use some type of rod stock.

I’ll make a variant that supports those rails if it’d be of use. Let me know.

It actually took longer to update Thingiverse than to make the variant, and it took a few hours to rework the design. We really need a replacement for Thingiverse.

Please make one that fits a DIN Rail (https://hackaday.com/2018/09/13/the-din-rail-and-how-it-got-that-way/) The other rail seems to be something non standard.

DIN rail version done. Leave a comment on the thing if it works out.

The small magnets look, like they come from the pack of “Marie” rolling papers. I always keep them, because I do not like to throw away nice Nd magnets.

They might. I buy mine by the 100 direct from China for a few dollars.

Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. (Comment Policy)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

By using our website and services, you expressly agree to the placement of our performance, functionality and advertising cookies. Learn more