Rocketbook Tabbed Dividers (executive size only!)

UPDATE: Now Free

No need to the 'free sample'; the full version is now free. Exactly zero people paid for it, so exactly zero people will wish for a refund now ;)

All models now ed

• rb_tab_XXX.stl: tabbed dividers compatible with spiral binding
• rb_mark_XXX.stl: tabbed bookmarks; these fit without connecting to the spiral binding

Free sample version now provided here:

https://cults3d.sitegames.net/en/3d-model/home/rocketbook-tabbed-divider-sample-executive-size

I love my new Rocketbook, but feel it desperately needs tabs to provide quick access to specific sections.

I searched high and low for commercial offerings and came up short. I did find an Etsy listing selling tabbed dividers for about the same cost as the whole notebook, but they were offline when I found them. And so I designed my own tabbed dividers.

Please see the image in this listing for details on which tab locations have been generated. I have printed and tested tabs A, B, C, and D. I am currently using just tabs C and D in my notebook.

WARNING: you must be able to print wafer thin AND be able to remove the print from your bed without destroying it. Printing onto painters tape is NOT recommended.

As shown in the photos:

1. The bound edge halts 4 holes shy of the top and bottom edges of the rocketbook. This mitigates issues observed in early versions of the design where the corners of the rocketbook pages would sometimes catch on the tabbed dividers, causing the page corners to bend.

2. The print is thin and has no air gaps within, therefore the dividers are transparent when laying flat on top of a rocketbook page.

3. When using the official Rocketbook Capsule 2 folio, the tabs remain safely within the folio. Both top-edge and side-edge tabs should be protected well by the folio.

4. It is recommended to use a MAXIMUM of 4 tabbed dividers in your Rocketbook. More than 4 dividers will likely result in page edges binding up inside the spiral binder.

I suggest scaling the Z height of these designs to match a single layer thickness for your printer, ideally 0.2mm as originally ed.

I printed mine using a 0.8mm nozzle and an initial layer height of 0.2mm resulting in a single layer object.

I also enabled IRONING in CURA settings which adds a fractional layer on top of the print but also improved surface quality which DRASTICALLY reduce the post processing effort to get a nice smooth finish.

EDIT: I've experimented with print settings further and have found that printing the base layer using "concentric" pattern results in a far smoother surface quality than the prior zig-zag settings. This appears sufficiently good such that ironing may not be needed after all.

Total print time per tabbed divider is about 2 hours on my odd, old printer. If I disable ironing this drops to about 40 minutes.

I print onto a heated glass bed using Magigoo to improve first layer bonding, which also results in the print detaching itself from the bed as it cools. This setup is wonderful for thin prints like this as it completely eliminates the need to apply any force to remove the print which would otherwise degrade the results.

Post processing includes sanding down any blobs or rough spots. I used a little mineral oil while sanding with 220 grit paper and achieved exceptional results. Note, however, that the plastic absorbs some oil and I'm not sure whether the oil might damage the Rocketbook pages over time.

Post processing time when using ironing to make a nice smooth surface is about 10 minutes of sanding and cleaning up per tabbed divider. If you use mineral oil while sanding I suggest using shampoo to help wash away the oil before inserting the dividers in your Rocketbook.

There are two options for installation; personally I use option 1:
1. Non-invasive: Use wire-cutters to cut the tabbed divider binding edge once at each hole, then flex the tabbed divider binding edge to hook each hole onto the spiral binding
2. Invasive: Unbind your rocketbook by bending the end of the spiral binding, then unscrewing it from the notebook. Place the tabbed dividers in the desired locations before screwing the binding back into place and bending the ends back to the original shape.

Non-invasive

• using wire cutters, cut the edge of the printed divider once at each hole (27 holes in total). This creates a small hook-like tab of plastic at each hole with a near-zero gap to the hook-like tab of the neighboring hole.
• Place the in the Rocketbook where you would like it. Use tweezers to gently lift the hook-like tab for each hole, one at a time, to hook the divider into the spiral binding.

Invasive

• NOTE: this is untested and might damage the spiral binding on your Rocketbook
• The ends of the spiral binding are bent to prevent the spiral from twisting off the Rocketbook. Gently unbend them.
• Rotate the spiral binding about 31 times. This will remove the binding from all but the the last 4 holes of your Rocketbook covers/pages.
• Place the tabbed dividers where you would like them in the Rocketbook
• Twist the spiral binding back onto the Rocketbook covers/pages, this time including the tabbed dividers.
• Finally, you should gently bend the ends of the spiral binding to the original shape, to prevent the spiral from accidentally rotating off of the Rocketbook.