CadQery script for for a file holder

FileHolder.py

import cadquery as cq

# === Configuration & Parameters ===

# Dimensions of a single file (converted to mm)
file_width = 20.0
file_thickness = 4.35
file_height = 130.0

# Grid layout
grid_cols = 3
grid_rows = 2

# Tolerances and wall sizes
tolerance = 0.5       # Variable tolerance to give the files enough play
wall_thickness = 6.0  # Thickness of the walls separating the slots
bottom_thickness = 0.6

# Holder dimensions
# The holder doesn't need to be 130mm high, 35mm is usually enough to keep them upright
holder_height = 35.0  

# Fillet radius 
# Note: Must be smaller than bottom_thickness to prevent topology errors during filleting
corner_radius = 0.9 

# Preview toggle for the files
show_files_preview = True

# === Calculations ===

# Calculate slot dimensions including the tolerance
slot_width = file_width + tolerance
slot_thickness = file_thickness + tolerance
slot_depth = holder_height - bottom_thickness

# Calculate center-to-center spacing for the grid
x_spacing = slot_width + wall_thickness
y_spacing = slot_thickness + wall_thickness

# Calculate total outer dimensions of the holder
holder_width = (grid_cols * slot_width) + ((grid_cols + 1) * wall_thickness)
holder_depth = (grid_rows * slot_thickness) + ((grid_rows + 1) * wall_thickness)

# === Modeling the Holder ===

# 1. Create the main base body
holder = cq.Workplane("XY").box(holder_width, holder_depth, holder_height)

# 2. Cut the 3x2 grid into the top face
holder = (
    holder.faces(">Z")
    .workplane()
    .rarray(x_spacing, y_spacing, grid_cols, grid_rows)
    .rect(slot_width, slot_thickness)
    .cutBlind(-slot_depth)
)

# 3. Apply fillets to all edges to round off the corners
holder = holder.edges().fillet(corner_radius)

# === Modeling the Files (Preview) ===

if show_files_preview:
    # Calculate the exact Z-height so the files rest on the 1mm bottom of the slots.
    # The main box is centered at Z=0. The bottom face is at -(holder_height / 2).
    # The slot floor is at -(holder_height / 2) + bottom_thickness.
    file_z_center = - (holder_height / 2.0) + bottom_thickness + (file_height / 2.0)
    
    files = (
        cq.Workplane("XY")
        .workplane(offset=file_z_center)
        .rarray(x_spacing, y_spacing, grid_cols, grid_rows)
        .box(file_width, file_thickness, file_height)
    )

# === Visualization (for CQ-Editor) ===

# Render the holder in a solid color (e.g., a nice blue/grey)
if 'show_object' in globals():
    show_object(holder, name="Holder", options={"color": (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.0)})
    
    # Render the files in a distinct, slightly transparent red if the preview is active
    if show_files_preview:
        show_object(files, name="Files_Preview", options={"color": (0.9, 0.2, 0.2, 0.6)})