One of the parts of my job is labelling the storage shelves that different categories of laptops are put on. This helps, for example, to quickly identify an upgraded laptop that someone has come back to collect or to find a suitable device for the ‘Rapid Exchange’ service. We have magnetic holders and we fit in slips of recycled paper to write the necessary details. The challenge is producing paper slips of the correct dimensions. 1mm too wide and they won’t slide in but 1mm too narrow and they will fall out.

I’ve been pondering this for a while but, with a couple of colleagues who were particularly good at the “paperwork” having moved on, I decided it was time to turn my ideas of a jig to assist in the task to 3D printed reality. My first thought was more about a guide to quickly mark the paper with the correct dimensions but then it struck me that perhaps I could work out a simple way to cut the pieces directly.

My first attempt was a low rectangular block, with a section removed to give me the 80x17mm slip size. It worked okay but, with the paper in the way, it felt like a potential risk to fingers. Version two, designed and printed tonight, involves a second piece to fit into the one from yesterday. With the paper sandwiched between two pieces of plastic, it should be easier to hold the paper in place safely while making accurate cuts with scissors.

If it works, I might consider incorporating a hinge to keep the two parts together but there might also be scope for other useful refinements. The first test cut at home felt safer and looked accurate but it is hard to say for sure until I test it tomorrow and see if the resulting slips fit neatly in the holders.