[Vicebox - lockbox]

Joint project with computer engineering students at ucsd. A locking box designed to unlock on its own after certain conditions are met, to help people with instant gratifications and addictions.

very much work in progress. Have very limited experience with mechanisms and motor controls, so this projects is outside of my comfort zone. Trying to make something with the goal of resin printing or aluminum cnc, so the product has that real quality feel, while keeping a minimalistic design language.

First real update 4/1/26
came up with a internal slot rail system that allows the lid to open without being able to be dissasembled from the outside, putting security first. Pursuing the fully 3d printed approach in order to make the product open source and acessible to the widest range of people. The code first draft was completed by my partner and runs on an esp 32, which will turn a basic micro servo controlling a "bank vault" mechanism.

Version 1

Proof of concept at 1:1 scale 0.5 height. Painful lessons on print orieintation. Now stores espresso accessories.

Version 2

Proof of concept at 1:2 scale. Previous weak components now snap in.

Learning from the first iteration, many components needed to be seperated from the main body of the lid. The design was also changed so that the lid would encase the ESP32, battery, and servo locking mechanism. A snap in cover hides all the components (I also have not yet figured out the exact packaging at this point). The tab that the locking bolt has sufficient clearance, and the side rails allow for smooth opening and closing. A notch was added on the front for opening and 2 raised blocks on the front and back give a satisfying snap.

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