#Gift | #7Days - #Day6 | #PDO | Print-In-Place Articulated Nutcracker Toy | NoahMillerDesign

This model was designed in Autodesk Fusion 360 for the Product Design Online #Gift 3D modeling challenge. In addition to the main design challenge, Kevin Kennedy of Product Design Online issued a challenge to anyone wanting to develop their 3D modeling abilities even more; create a unique 3D model each day for the last seven days of the main challenge’s timeframe. This is the model that I designed for Day 6 of this mini challenge. This model is a continuation in the development of the Day 4 nutcracker toy.

The Nutcracker is an iconic part of christmas tradition. This easy to print toy is fun for young children to play with and perfect to add to your holiday decorations. The model is designed so that it can be printed pre-assembled. None of the internal geometry exceeds a 45 degree overhang, allowing it to be easily printed without the need for any support material. It also incorporates the appropriate edge geometry to ensure that it will print cleanly and prevent “elephant’s foot” first-layer expansion that could otherwise fuse the articulated parts together. The only semi-challenging portion of the model to print is the lever pivot, as it requires a 14mm bridge. Even this will print easily on most FDM printers because it has the lever under it to support it some if needed. Even if the pivot sags some and contacts the lever during printing, articulating the lever once or twice will easily break it free.