I made this specifically for Novox Carprofen 100mg caplets (see photos) for a pet. The caplets need to be split in half. The caplets measure approximately 19mm long by 8mm diameter. The splitter was designed to fit the pill vial the caplets came in, but I have also included a print for a suitable container as an alternative.

Additional materials required :

• No. 11 X-Acto blade

• M3 X 6 Phillips head self-tapping screw*

• M3 x 12 Phillips head machine screw and hex nut

* Possibly the screws could be eliminated by simply gluing the parts as needed, but of course it would no longer be possible to dis-assemble the splitter.

NOTE : I realize this design is limited to a specific caplet size, but I thought it would be worthwhile to make the idea available to others who might find it useful. I have included STEP files to facilitate modifying the original design.

Assembly and Use

 First, prepare the Bottom piece by inserting the hex nut into the hexagonal provided. You can use the machine screw to push the nut fully into the hole. Place the prepared Bottom piece into the Socket piece as shown in the photos. Next insert the X-Acto blade into the slot provided, and fasten it in place with the self-tapping screw. Finally, add the Top piece (be careful to make sure the through-holes line up) and fasten it with the machine screw.

To use the splitter, insert it into the pill vial or container. Note there are finger stops on both the rotating Top piece and on the Socket piece - make sure these line up. Looking from the top down, insert a caplet into the hole immediately to the right of the hole with the blade.  Use the finger stop next to the hole with the caplet to rotate the Top piece clockwise so that the caplet is cut by the blade. Repeat with another caplet. As the split caplet rotates past the blade, it will fall through the hole into the container. Continue the process by inserting as many caplets as desired; be sure to rotate the final split caplet over the hole into the container.

Print Instructions

Print in PLA using the 3mf files provided, otherwise :

• 0.2mm layer height

• 2 perimeters

• 15% rectilinear infill

• supports required for the Socket piece (I used organic/tree supports)

CAD

The OnShape 3D CAD files for this are here :

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/5d7f6d0212e22e4be2b6b19b/w/e83b2d396d6b50bd9f9a77df/e/368c2ddcfd6aa8f5e1de8d5c?renderMode=0&uiState=69c27821adbc13909efdaf1b