http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbuser/4496327784/

I figured this deserved it's own blog post.  A few weeks ago I finally did something practical with my MakerBot.  I realized my screen door was loose when one of my cats excitedly got on his hind legs and pushed on the screen to smell the fresh spring air and the door promptly swung open.  This is not good because our cats have long since lost any natural survival instincts and would surely starve if they ran away with no human slaves to pamper them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbuser/4377247152/

The tip of the latch had kind of wore off so it no longer engaged securely.  I was going to run to Lowe's to buy a new one when I realized if only the plate were a little longer, it would be fine.  I could have just put a bit of scrap wood under it, but hey I have a replicator in the basement and it's a pretty simple shape.  I'd like to say it took me less time to design and print it than it would have taken me to drive to the hardware store, however I decided to use OpenSCAD which I'm still not so good with.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbuser/4496316676

The result is pretty damn perfect.  It's very solid, secure, and cat proof.  It's exactly the right size for the door and doesn't need any spacer plates like the old one needed.  Plus, my house is now partly made of replicated matter.  I like to think aliens might one day scan earth and find readings of replicator technology in my house and come say "Hi".  Except they'd probably greet my cats and ask about their crafty monkey servant.

You too can download and print my door latch.