Articulated Butterfly
Arrives damaged? Free reprint, just film the box being opened. Returns policy
About this print
A jointed butterfly figure with flexible, print-in-place segments that allow the wings and body to move. Commonly used as a fidget toy or a decorative novelty, it is particularly popular with children and collectors of articulated animal prints. The individual sections flex freely once printed, requiring no assembly. PLA works well here, producing crisp detail across the wing segments, though TPU can be used if a softer, more pliable result is preferred.
From the original design page
Original maker's notes
By 8ran on Thingiverse · CC-BY-SA
I can't get enough of these articulated animals and wanted to try making one. I don't have much experience 3D modeling, but managed to hack this out in Tinkercad. My daughter is floored by the idea that we can contribute something back to Thingiverse and that people all over the world can now print this. If you make one, please post a make!
Inspired by muzz64's Fish Fossilz
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1276095
And most recently by FernandoCordova89's Articulated Dinosaur
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2808550
Enjoy!
**UPDATE #1:** Featured! This is crazy! I told my daughter and she's as blown away as I am. I told her we won all the Internet points and she asked (bouncing up and down, clapping her hands), "Where can we spend them?!" XD
**UPDATE #2** I've uploaded a version with slightly stronger joints. It doesn't look as dainty to me, but maybe folks who were having trouble with the original breaking will have better luck. Also, I've added a version with a hole going all the way through it for use as a necklace. Or you can put a piece of copper hobby wire through it and make it pose-able!
Formatting may have been simplified. These are the independent maker's instructions and fitment claims; Hark Tech has not independently verified them.
Printing Articulated Butterfly
For Articulated Butterfly we would normally reach for PLA — it is easy to print, low-odour and plenty strong for everyday use. We set the layer height, wall count, infill and supports to suit the model and how you will use it, and those choices are already priced into your instant quote. Want a specific colour or material? Tell us and we will match it where we can.
Model details
| Downloads at source | 183,905 |
|---|---|
| Likes at source | 20,136 |
| Original model | View on Thingiverse |
| Designer | 8ran |
| Licence | CC-BY-SA |
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- Printed in-house in Hampshire
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