How to store and organize chips
When handling a large number of dies, an easy way to keep them safe and dust-free is to use zip-lock bags.
You can write the reference on the bag, and then you can stack them in a small box or file them in a playing card album.
Just avoid placing more than one die per bag. They could collide and damage each other.
Long-term storage
If you have mounted your dies on a coverslip, as explained here, you want a safe way to store them.
Small dies are relatively shock-resistant, but coverslips are fragile.
After some trial and error, I developed shockproof boxes with a ‘rack’ system inside.
Coverslips are held sandwiched between two foams, which guarantees their safety.
Each box can contain 10x 22mm coverslips.
I use cheap 22x22mm coverslips from aliexpress.
Shock resistance
I dropped a full box from 2m high. All coverslip survived, so small shocks should not affect the contents.
3d print your own
To make your own box, you need 3mm thick foam and some double tape adhesive or glue to stick the foam to the lid.
STL Files
diebox_lid.stl
diebox_box.stl
diebox_tray.stl
Printing the trays
Make sure the lines of the generated gcode are aligned like this, otherwise it will be very difficult to slide the coverslips into the rack.
Assembly
The two trays should fit nicely into the box. If it’s not the case, use a box cutter to smooth the edges.
Cut two small pieces of foam measuring 28x25mm.
Before adding the trays, place a piece of foam in the bottom of the box.
Then you can add the trays. Don’t press too hard, you want them to be a little loose. Or at least make sure it’s possible to remove them.
Stick the other piece of foam to the lid. It’s best if it slightly exceed to seal the box. I use double tape, but you can probably glue it.
Tips
Use different colors for the trays to get cooler looking boxes.
You can use boxes of different colors for different kind of chips. You can also use a different color for the lid and thus increase the number of different boxes possible.
Don’t use metal tweezers to retrieve the coverslips. I use cardboard tweezers but plastic ones should be fine.