Improve magnets

README.md

@@ -32,8 +32,10 @@ For inserting magnets, check out [the jig](#jig).
     - [No Magnets](#no-magnets)
     - [Press-Fit magnets](#press-fit-magnets)
       - [Jig](#jig)
+    - [Release slot](#release-slot)
     - [Glued magnets](#glued-magnets)
     - [Rounded corner frame](#rounded-corner-frame)
+      - [Magnet border](#magnet-border)
     - [Solid frame](#solid-frame)
   - [Click Latch](#click-latch)
     - [ClickGroove](#clickgroove)
@@ -185,11 +187,6 @@ Press-fit magnets require no glue. The magnets are simply pressed into the pocke
 <!-- openscad -o docs/images/magnets-press-fit.png --camera=0,0,0,40,0,10,200 -D plate_size='[105, 63]' -D magnets=true -->
 <img src="docs/images/magnets-press-fit.png" alt="Press-fit magnets" />
 
-On the bottom side of the plate there is a slot so you can push out any inserted magnet with a screwdriver.
-
-<!-- openscad -o docs/images/magnets-press-fit-below.png --camera=0,0,0,140,0,10,200 -D plate_size='[105, 63]' -D magnets=true -->
-<img src="docs/images/magnets-press-fit-below.png" alt="Press-fit magnets from below" />
-
 The layers above and below the magnet can be configured using the `magnet_top` and `magnet_bottom` options. 
 
 Because the distance to the bin magnets is larger, press-fit magnets make for a weaker connection than glue-in magnets.
@@ -230,6 +227,17 @@ Pull the pusher back into its original position to release the baseplate. You ca
 <!-- openscad -o docs/images/jig-main-below.png --camera=0,0,0,140,0,10,200 -D part='"jig"' mag_insert_jig.scad -->
 <!-- openscad -o docs/images/jig-pusher-below.png --camera=0,0,0,140,0,10,200 -D part='"pusher"' mag_insert_jig.scad -->
 
+### Release slot
+
+On the bottom side of the plate there is a slot so you can push out any inserted magnet with a screwdriver.
+
+<!-- openscad -o docs/images/magnets-press-fit-below.png --camera=0,0,0,140,0,10,200 -D plate_size='[105, 63]' -D magnets=true -->
+<img src="docs/images/magnets-press-fit-below.png" alt="Press-fit magnets from below" />
+
+The width of this slot can be adjusted with the `magnet_release_width` setting. Setting this to 0 disables the release slot.
+
+For glue-in magnets, there is a hole instead of a slot. The diameter of the hole is also controlled by `magnet_release_width`.
+
 ### Glued magnets
 
 Magnets can also be glued in from the top:
@@ -252,6 +260,13 @@ By default, the vertical space for the magnet is not fully filled in to save fil
 
 <img src="docs/images/magnets-press-fit.png" alt="Press-fit magnets" />
 
+#### Magnet border
+
+To save filament, you can set a lower `magnet_border`:
+
+<!-- openscad -o docs/images/magnet-border-1.png --camera=0,0,0,40,0,10,200 -D plate_size='[105, 63]' -D magnets=true -D magnet_border=1 -D magnet_style=1 -->
+<img src="docs/images/magnet-border-1.png" alt="Magnet border" />
+
 ### Solid frame
 
 Using the `magnet_frame_style` option, you can change the magnet layer to be fully filled in.

editor.toml

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ description-extra-html = """
 <br>For detailed documentation, check the <a href='https://github.com/yawkat/GridFlock/blob/main/README.md'>README</a>.
 <br><b>Feb 16: I've turned off magnets by default because most people don't use them.</b> If you've saved a design with magnets, you will have to manually turn them on again below.
 <br>Feb 21: The do_half parameters have been superseded by the filler parameters.
+<br>Apr 8: Glue-in magnets now have a release slot, which can be disabled by setting magnet_release_width to 0.
 <span style="display: none" class="alert alert-warning" data-display-condition="click && click_style == 0">The click latch can deform over time, especially if made of PLA. Prefer other materials like PETG.</span>
 <span style="display: none" class="alert alert-warning" data-display-condition="click && click_style == 1">The click latch can deform over time if used with non-ClickGroove bins, especially if made of PLA. Prefer other materials like PETG if you plan to use such bins.</span>
 <span style="display: none" class="alert alert-warning" data-display-condition="connector_intersection_puzzle && connector_edge_puzzle">You have enabled both the edge and intersection puzzle connectors. While technically possible, it is better to focus on and tune one connector type.</span>
@@ -72,6 +73,12 @@ display-condition = {js = "magnets"}
 display-condition = {js = "magnets"}
 [model.param-metadata.magnet_bottom]
 display-condition = {js = "magnets"}
+[model.param-metadata.magnet_border]
+display-condition = {js = "magnets"}
+help-link = "https://github.com/yawkat/GridFlock/blob/main/README.md#rounded-corner-frame"
+[model.param-metadata.magnet_release_width]
+display-condition = {js = "magnets"}
+help-link = "https://github.com/yawkat/GridFlock/blob/main/README.md#release-slot"
 
 [model.tab-metadata."Intersection Puzzle Connector"]
 control-boolean = "connector_intersection_puzzle"

gridflock.scad

@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ magnet_height = 2.25; // 0.25
 magnet_top = 0.5; // 0.25
 // Floor below the magnet. Not structurally important, should be small to minimize filament use
 magnet_bottom = 0.75; // 0.25
+// Horizontal strength of the frame holding the magnet in place
+magnet_border = 2; // 0.5
+// Width of the magnet release slot
+magnet_release_width = 3; // 0.5
 
 /* [Click Latch (Experimental)] */
 
@@ -217,9 +221,9 @@ assert(!thumbscrews || solid_base > 0 || (magnets && magnet_frame_style == _MAGN
 $fn=40;
 
 // dimensions of the magnet extraction slot
-_magnet_extraction_dim = [magnet_diameter/2, magnet_diameter/2+2];
+_magnet_extraction_dim = [magnet_release_width, magnet_diameter/2+2];
 // dimensions of the magnet extraction slot in negative mode. This is used to cut out slots out of the edge puzzle connector. This is a bit smaller to make the edge puzzle connector less frail
-_magnet_extraction_dim_negative = [magnet_diameter/2, magnet_diameter/2];
+_magnet_extraction_dim_negative = [magnet_release_width, magnet_diameter/2];
 
 // actual height of a gridfinity profile with no extra clearance.
 // gridfinity rebuilt adds extra clearance at the bottom, we cut that out. This is the height for z>0
@@ -243,7 +247,6 @@ _WEST = 3;
 
 // distance of each magnet from the side of the base plate grid cell
 _magnet_location = 0.25 + 2.15 + 0.8 + 4.8;
-_magnet_border = 2;
 
 // Distance between edge connector pieces, if multiple configured
 _edge_puzzle_stagger = edge_puzzle_dim.x + 2;
@@ -371,10 +374,10 @@ module cell(unit_size=[1, 1], connector=[false, false, false, false], bottom_cha
                         // round corners
                         if (magnet_frame_style == _MAGNET_ROUND_CORNERS) {
                             each_cell_corner(unit_size) {
-                                total_bounds = _magnet_location + magnet_diameter/2 + _magnet_border;
+                                total_bounds = _magnet_location + magnet_diameter/2 + magnet_border;
                                 square([_magnet_location, total_bounds]);
                                 square([total_bounds, _magnet_location]);
-                                translate([_magnet_location, _magnet_location]) circle(r=magnet_diameter/2+_magnet_border);
+                                translate([_magnet_location, _magnet_location]) circle(r=magnet_diameter/2+magnet_border);
                             }
                         }
                         // if we have a female edge connector here, add a bar for stability (edge_puzzle_magnet_border)
@@ -405,16 +408,24 @@ module cell(unit_size=[1, 1], connector=[false, false, false, false], bottom_cha
                     } else {
                         translate([0, 0, -_magnet_level_height + magnet_bottom]) linear_extrude(magnet_height) {
                             circle(d=magnet_diameter);
-                            if (magnet_style == _MAGNET_PRESS_FIT) rotate([0, 0, rot_slot]) translate([-magnet_diameter/2, 0]) square([magnet_diameter, magnet_diameter/2 + _magnet_border]);
+                            if (magnet_style == _MAGNET_PRESS_FIT) rotate([0, 0, rot_slot]) translate([-magnet_diameter/2, 0]) square([magnet_diameter, magnet_diameter/2 + magnet_border]);
                         }
                     }
+                    // magnet extraction slot
                     if (magnet_style == _MAGNET_PRESS_FIT) {
-                        // magnet extraction slot
-                        rotate([0, 0, rot_slot]) translate([0, 0, -_extra_height]) linear_extrude(_extra_height - _magnet_level_height + magnet_bottom + magnet_height) {
-                            extraction_dim = positive ? _magnet_extraction_dim : _magnet_extraction_dim_negative;
-                            translate([-extraction_dim.x/2, -extraction_dim.y]) square(extraction_dim);
-                            translate([0, -extraction_dim.y]) circle(extraction_dim.x/2);
-                            circle(extraction_dim.x/2);
+                        // horizontal slot
+                        extraction_dim = positive ? _magnet_extraction_dim : _magnet_extraction_dim_negative;
+                        if (extraction_dim.x > 0 && extraction_dim.y > 0) {
+                            rotate([0, 0, rot_slot]) translate([0, 0, -_extra_height]) linear_extrude(_extra_height - _magnet_level_height + magnet_bottom + magnet_height) {
+                                translate([-extraction_dim.x/2, -extraction_dim.y]) square(extraction_dim);
+                                translate([0, -extraction_dim.y]) circle(extraction_dim.x/2);
+                                circle(extraction_dim.x/2);
+                            }
+                        }
+                    } else {
+                        // vertical slot
+                        if (magnet_release_width > 0) {
+                            translate([0, 0, -_extra_height]) cylinder(d=magnet_release_width, h=_extra_height);
                         }
                     }
                 }