microfinity 2.3.0

A python library to make Gridfinity compatible objects with CadQuery.

Microfinity

Parametric Gridfinity generator with fractional sizing support.

Create bins in 0.25U increments that fit perfectly on standard Gridfinity baseplates.

Standard Gridfinity (42mm grid)     Microfinity (10.5mm micro-grid)
┌──────────────────────────────┐    ┌──────────────────────────────┐
│                              │    │  ┌──┐┌──┐┌──┐┌──┐           │
│         1U x 1U bin          │    │  │  ││  ││  ││  │  0.25U    │
│         (42 x 42mm)          │    │  └──┘└──┘└──┘└──┘  bins     │
│                              │    │  ┌──┐┌──┐┌─────────┐        │
│                              │    │  │  ││  ││         │  Mixed │
│                              │    │  └──┘└──┘│  0.5U   │  sizes │
│                              │    │  ┌──────┐│   bin   │        │
│                              │    │  │      │└─────────┘        │
│                              │    │  │ 0.5U │                   │
└──────────────────────────────┘    └──┴──────┴───────────────────┘

Features

• 100% Gridfinity Compatible - Works on any standard baseplate
• Fractional Sizing - 0.25U (10.5mm) and 0.5U (21mm) increments
• Automatic Drawer Layouts - Tile baseplates for any drawer size
• Multi-Piece Support - Connection clips for pieces larger than your build plate
• Parametric - Magnets, scoops, labels, dividers, and more
• Multiple Formats - Export to STL, STEP, or SVG

Quick Start

Install:

pip install microfinity

Create your first box:

from microfinity import GridfinityBox

box = GridfinityBox(2, 3, 4, holes=True, scoops=True)
box.save_stl_file()  # -> gf_box_2x3x4_holes_scoops.stl

Or use the CLI:

microfinity box 2 3 4 --magnets --scoops -f stl

Why Fractional Sizes?

Standard Gridfinity bins come in whole-unit sizes (1U = 42mm). But what if your screwdriver is 35mm wide? You'd need a 1U bin with wasted space, or it won't fit at all.

With Microfinity, create a 0.75U bin (31.5mm) or 1.25U bin (52.5mm) - whatever fits your items best:

from microfinity import GridfinityBox

# Perfect fit for narrow items
narrow_bin = GridfinityBox(0.5, 2, 3, micro_divisions=4)

# Slightly wider than 1U
wide_bin = GridfinityBox(1.25, 1, 3, micro_divisions=4)

Fractional bins use smaller "micro-feet" that still index correctly on standard baseplates.

Examples

Boxes

from microfinity import GridfinityBox

# Standard box with all features
box = GridfinityBox(2, 3, 4, holes=True, scoops=True, labels=True)

# Fractional box (quarter-grid)
small_box = GridfinityBox(1.25, 0.5, 3, micro_divisions=4)

# Box with dividers
divided_box = GridfinityBox(4, 2, 3, length_div=3, width_div=1)

Baseplates

from microfinity import GridfinityBaseplate

# Simple baseplate
plate = GridfinityBaseplate(4, 4)

# With corner screws for mounting
mounted = GridfinityBaseplate(6, 4, corner_screws=True)

Drawer Layouts

from microfinity import GridfinityBaseplateLayout

# Automatically tile a drawer larger than your build plate
layout = GridfinityBaseplateLayout(
    drawer_x_mm=450,      # Drawer width
    drawer_y_mm=380,      # Drawer depth
    build_plate_x_mm=220, # Printer bed X
    build_plate_y_mm=220, # Printer bed Y
)

layout.print_summary()    # See the breakdown
layout.export_all("./drawer", file_format="stl")

CLI Commands

# Generate boxes
microfinity box 2 3 4 -f stl                    # Basic 2x3x4 box
microfinity box 2 3 4 --magnets --scoops -f stl # With features
microfinity box 1.25 2 3 -m 4 -f stl            # Fractional (quarter-grid)

# Generate baseplates
microfinity baseplate 4 4 -f stl                # 4x4 baseplate
microfinity baseplate 6 4 --corner-screws -f stl

# Generate drawer layouts
microfinity layout 450 380 --build-plate 220 220 -o ./drawer -f stl

# Convert existing STL to micro-feet
microfinity meshcut input.stl -o output.stl -m 4

# Show help
microfinity --help
microfinity box --help

The Micro-Grid System

Divisions	Pitch	Increment	Example Sizes
1	42.0mm	1U	1, 2, 3, 4...
2	21.0mm	0.5U	0.5, 1, 1.5, 2...
4	10.5mm	0.25U	0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25...

See The Microgrid System for technical details.

Documentation

• Getting Started
• The Microgrid System
• Components:
  • Boxes
  • Baseplates
  • Layouts
  • Spacers
• CLI Reference
• Calibration
• Export Options
• Python API

Example Scripts

See the examples/ directory:

Script	Description
basic_box.py	Simple box with common features
fractional_bins.py	Various fractional sizes
drawer_layout.py	Complete drawer layout workflow
custom_baseplate.py	Baseplates with edge configurations
batch_export.py	Generate families of parts

Requirements

• Python 3.9+
• CadQuery >= 2.0
• cq-kit >= 0.5.6

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

Acknowledgments

• Zack Freedman - Creator of the Gridfinity system
• Michael Gale - Original cq-gridfinity author
• CadQuery Team - The amazing parametric CAD library

License

MIT License - See LICENSE for details.