IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

A method and calculator for building foamcore drawer organisers

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

Key Themes in the Discussion

Theme Supporting Quotes
Foamed plastic is an underrated, versatile material “Foamed plastic seems underappreciated in the age of 3D printing.” – RicoElectrico
“Foamcore is truly the world's best ‘around the house’ material for quick projects.” – lelandbatey
Custom or modular solutions beat generic organizers “I do a lot of free‑standing ‘holders’ from industrial (5 ply) cardboard and hot glue. Surprisingly sturdy!” – drbig
“I got myself a couple of sets of ‘modular’ boxes – they have little tabs on their sides so one can snap them together like lego.” – anonymous
Alternative techniques and materials broaden possibilities “Check out foaming TPU filament first. Best of both worlds!” – 1970‑01‑01
“Score the fold‑lines of a box and then fold the foamcore into the shape you desire, instead of cutting all the edges.” – lelandbatey

These three threads—material appreciation, customization preference, and innovative alternatives—capture the core of the conversation.

🚀 Project Ideas

Generating project ideas…

FoamBox Designer

Summary

  • A web‑based CAD tool that lets makers design custom foamcore or foamed PVC holders, generate cut lists, scoring guides, and export to PDF or CNC files.
  • Provides instant, 105 % customized organizers without the need to buy pre‑made boxes or hunt for sheets online.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Hobbyists, makers, DIY enthusiasts, small‑scale product designers
Core Feature Drag‑and‑drop 3‑D modeling of holders, auto‑generation of cut & score lines, material calculator
Tech Stack React + Three.js, Node.js backend, WebGL, PDFKit, optional CNC API
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue‑ready: Freemium with paid export packs and premium templates

Notes

  • “Seems the calculator is designed for a ‘collection of boxes’, which I guess is a start, but when I hear ‘organizer’ a collection of separate boxes ain’t what I want.” – HN user
  • “The most significant factor of making one's own is that it's 105% customized to the need, no more no less.” – HN user
  • Enables quick iteration: design → export → cut → assemble, reducing the need to buy foamed plastic online.

FoamHub

Summary

  • An online marketplace that aggregates suppliers of foamed PVC sheets, foamed TPU filament, and other foam‑based materials, with price comparison, bulk discounts, and fast shipping.
  • Solves the pain of “I’ll have to buy them online, though” by centralizing sourcing.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Makers, hobbyists, small businesses needing foam materials
Core Feature Product catalog, price comparison, bulk ordering, shipping tracker
Tech Stack Django/React, Stripe, AWS S3, Docker
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue‑ready: 5 % marketplace fee + optional premium listings

Notes

  • “Foamed plastic seems underappreciated in the age of 3D printing.” – HN user
  • “Check out foaming TPU filament first.” – HN user
  • Provides a one‑stop shop, reducing time spent hunting for foamed sheets and ensuring consistent quality.

SnapFoam

Summary

  • A modular foamcore kit with pre‑scored panels and snap‑tab connectors, plus a companion app that generates custom templates for any layout.
  • Turns “modular boxes” into a snap‑together system that can be quickly reconfigured.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience DIYers, interior designers, event planners, hobbyists
Core Feature Pre‑scored foam panels, snap‑tab hardware, template generator for custom shapes
Tech Stack Arduino for snap‑tab firmware, mobile app (Flutter), 3‑D printing for custom tabs
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue‑ready: Tiered subscription for premium templates + hardware sales

Notes

  • “For ‘organize a drawer, quickly!’ I got myself a couple of sets of ‘modular’ boxes – they have little tabs on their sides so one can snap them together like lego.” – HN user
  • “Foamcore is truly the world’s best ‘around the house’ material for quick projects.” – HN user
  • Enables rapid prototyping of drawers, shelves, or event displays without cutting or gluing each time.

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