3D Printed Articulated Shark

So, I may have a thing for articulated 3D prints. We've tried out several on our 3D printer (Butterflies, Dragons, T-Rex, Octopus). I think they are a lot of fun because they are "print in place" designs that are often relatively quick prints and have movement as soon as you take it off the print bed. So when I came across this Articulated Shark design, I knew I had to give it a go.


I started out printing the shark in purple pla just because it's my favorite color. There are 4 print files to choose from, and I chose the one with the mouth that opens and that has a slightly happier expression for this print.


The suggested settings for the print are the slightly higher resolution (.16 Res) and 0% infil. Each of the sections of the shark print hollow and are completely enclosed. Supposedly, it floats (but I've yet to test).


This print took about 5 hours because of the higher resolution. It came out mostly clean except the teeth were bungled.


After picking out the sideways teeth, I was left with a pretty sad looking mouth. After reading the comments on Thingiverse, this seems to be a fairly common problem with this print. Some folks have managed to get around it with various settings, but I opted to just download one of the files with the closed mouth and try it again.


After I switched to gray filament, I knew it was the perfect time to try printing the shark again.


The settings for the print stayed the same (.16 Res, 0% infil), but it took a little less time to print with the closed mouth--about 4 hours this time.


This print came out clean with no issues. Yay!


Though his mouth doesn't open, his teeth are all perfectly intact.


Even with the slight dental issues, this print is a ton of fun, but if you're looking for something simple to print, go with the closed mouth design.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Plastic Wrap Alcohol Ink on Small Ceramic Bowl

Image
A while back I picked up some small white bowls from Big Lots ( these look similar ) with a nice satin finish. I already inked one bowl using the flame method , but I still have a few bowls left, so I decided to give one the plastic wrap treatment. I got out my craft mat and some alcohol inks . Then I cleaned my bowl with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and removed the sale sticker from the bottom. I tore a piece of plastic wrap off the roll that was large enough to cover my bowl, and I set it down on my craft mat, being sure not to smooth it out. Then I dripped ink on the plastic wrap until I liked the combination of colors and the plastic was mostly full of color. Then I placed my bowl in the center of the plastic wrap and carefully applied the plastic wrap to the sides without smoothing it out too much (so it keeps the wrinkled pattern). Then I flipped it over to dry. I ended up using 7 colors on the bowl. I wanted something bright and fun so I we
Read more

Splatter Resist Alcohol Ink Tile

Image
I still have some ceramic tiles left from my last run to the hardware store, so when I remembered I had saved the contact paper heart from my Valentine's Day Glass Etching project, I knew exactly what I wanted to try. I grabbed some bright alcohol inks , canned air , a 6 inch ceramic tile , and my contact paper heart. I originally cut it out free hand by folding the contact paper, so it doesn't have to be perfect, but I'm sure if you have a cutting machine you could use that to make whatever shape you'd like in contact paper or vinyl. I peeled back the paper backing and applied the heart to the middle of the tile (as best as I could eyeball it). Then I rubbed down the edges of the contact paper. I squeezed out a drop of alcohol ink near the edge of the heart and used canned air to blow the drop out from the center of the tile. I usually hold the can with my right hand and a plastic lid with my left (I use the lid from the small plastic box I keep
Read more

Alcohol Ink Washer Necklaces

Image
I received a package of alcohol inks for Christmas and then bought a second set with a 50% off coupon at Michael's.  I've used them now to make coasters and to decorate some candle holders .  I was just getting my sea legs with these inks to begin with.  I applied the ink directly onto the surfaces and played around with rubbing alcohol as a blending solution.  But I thought it was high time that I used an applicator to use them the way they were intended.  Of course, the applicator is just a stamp with some velcro on it and it costs 6+ dollars....not to mention buying the pre-cut pieces of felt. So I figured I'd make my own.  I was very much in a use what you've got mentality, so I grabbed a scrap piece of wood and a couple of strips of velcro (hook and loop tape).  I used the hook side and lined two pieces up next to each other.  Luckily they were just the right width. I had the sew-on kind of velcro, so I spread some tacky glue thinly onto the surface
Read more