Simple Screw Counter

2 days ago

The author discusses their precision clock kits and the anxiety they feel about making mistakes.
They dreamt of automating the process of counting nuts and bolts, leading to the creation of a laser-cut acrylic dispenser.
The dispenser uses scrap PLA filament for pegs, with a press-fit design due to the conical kerf of the laser.
A hopper was designed to hold over a hundred nuts, with considerations for size and functionality.
The author experimented with a screw dispenser, addressing issues like jamming and incorrect bolt orientation.
A ramp was added to ensure bolts drop correctly into the slot, improving the dispenser's reliability.
The design includes a trigger mechanism to block additional screws from falling through when dispensing.
Tracks were designed to hold over 150 screws, with considerations for visibility and ease of use.
The author reflects on the design's limitations, such as underutilized track space and the need for a one-way valve.
Alternative designs, like an S-shaped track, were considered but deemed unnecessary for the current project.
The final design is lightweight, easy to hold, and functional, though the hopper could be larger.
The author mentions using OnShape for design but criticizes its cloud-based model and limited free tier.
They express hope for FreeCAD's future success despite its challenges.

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