Print-In-Place, No Supports, Articulating Fidget Toy
A twist on the Snap Flex Design
Snap-Flex Twist is a new experiment with an old prototype
Instead of Pushing to Lock and Pulling to Flex like the original Snap-Flex joint (ie. Slick - Articulated Snake), the Snap-Flex Twist swaps those two around: Pull to Lock Push to Flex
This allows for a greater range of motion, and posability while locked in place so you can have more twists and turns in your posed models.
Sly is the 21st creation in a series of Snap-Flex models by Mimetics 3D, and is available for free for a limited time.
I'm still iterating on this Snap-Flex Twist variant, so please let me know how well the SNAP mechanism works for you and what changes you would like to see.
Thanks!
Check out Sly's St. Patricks Day friend, Little Lucky Rubber Ducky
Snap-Flex Collection: This articulated fidget toy integrates the Mimetics 3D "Snap-Flex" joint. This allows the model to both move smoothly, mimicking the fluid motion of living creatures, AND stabilize in a firm pose, providing a premium fidgeting experience.
Each SNAP will resonate as a symphony of satisfaction to your ears, confirming your masterful manipulations.
Snap-Flex TWIST Instructions: To Lock: Pull Body Segments Apart To Unlock: Push Body Segments together
Print Settings: 0.2mm Layer Height 3 Wall Loops 3 Top Shell Layers Good Bed Adhesion Required - Consider using glue stick or a brim
Suggested Material: PLA or PLA+ Note: Silk PLA is too weak to hold up to repeated use of the Snap-Flex joint. Use silks at your own risk
No Supports, Print-In-Place at 100% scale Printing any smaller may disable the Snap-Flex joint.
Printing larger than 100% will make the snap louder AND harder to pop, so be sure to do a shorter test print to make sure it's not TOO hard to snap into place.
These tolerances are TIGHT and you'll likely have to snap each segment a few times before it's loose enough to snap/unsnap easily. I recommend you use regular PLA or PLA+. ABS might be even better, but I haven't tried it yet.
If you print this in resin, please let me know how it turns out. I imagine you would need a more flexible/less stiff resin for it to work appropriately.