NASA Fabric Mk 3 Optimized for FDM Printing

Name: NASA Fabric Mk 3 Optimized for FDM Printing (3D printed)
Brand: Hark Tech
Price: 6.90 GBP
Availability: InStock

by TurboDork · from Thingiverse

From £6.90 printed to order · UK postage from £2.95, free over £40 · usually dispatched within 2 working days
Arrives damaged? Free reprint, just film the box being opened. Returns policy

Free community design ♥ 5,386 likes ↓ 107,198 downloads

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Heads up: the biggest file here is over our 255 mm bed, so we can’t print the whole thing in one piece. Pick a part that fits from the preview on the left and we’ll quote it, or ask about printing it in sections.

PLA from £6.90 plus UK postage from £2.95. We prepare your model, print it across our calibrated production fleet and quality-check it before it is usually dispatched within 2 working days.

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Good to know before you order

TPU has a £11.50 print-order minimum. ABS, ASA, PC, Nylon and PETG-CF have a £46 minimum; PA-CF has a £69 minimum. Delivery is shown separately in your cart.

Need a few parts? Add them to one cart. One order minimum and one postage charge cover the cart: £6.90 for standard materials, £11.50 with TPU, £46 with ABS, ASA, PC, Nylon or PETG-CF, or £69 with PA-CF.

Please check the model files include everything you need before ordering. We print the files exactly as supplied, so you receive the parts in the model, not necessarily a finished assembly shown in any photos. These are community designs by their original creators; we manufacture and post them but cannot guarantee fitment for your specific appliance or use case - check the original design page for compatibility.

About this print

A chainmail-style flexible fabric tile inspired by NASA scale armour, redesigned with thicker links, simplified geometry and a reinforced base to improve reliability on FDM printers. It is used in cosplay armour, decorative panels and as a demonstration of interlocking print techniques. TPU is the recommended material for this type of print-in-place structure, as its inherent flexibility allows the links to articulate freely once removed from the build plate.

From the original design page

Original maker's notes

By TurboDork on Thingiverse · CC-BY

Redesign of Keeeal's hex fabric to optimize for FDM printing.
Main changes include thicker links, simpler geometry, beefed up base and continuous center section.

Note: the coned center section design saves print time (prior design required individual deposition points for 12 tiny dots that often failed, but that are eliminated here) and provides the strength needed to eliminate the vertical links

Printing at either 0.15mm or 0.20mm layer height works great

I've uploaded a few sizes to save time and allow you to find one that fits your printer.

10/29/2021 UPDATE - After some feedback on the initial sheet links (to join sheets together and form larger and more elaborate designs (e.g. actual suits of chainmail, fitted product shielding, etc.), I have redesigned them and posted them here (they should be much easier to print, assemble and use with the fabric)
CHECK IT OUT!! - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5049173

08/10/2020 Update - After dozens of requests, I have finally posted an initial version of a coupling link that will allow you connect sheets of the chainmail together.

Formatting may have been simplified. These are the independent maker's instructions and fitment claims; Hark Tech has not independently verified them.

Printing NASA Fabric Mk 3 Optimized for FDM Printing

For NASA Fabric Mk 3 Optimized for FDM Printing we would normally reach for PLA — it is the easy, economical default and suits the majority of models. 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	107,198
Likes at source	5,386
Original model	View on Thingiverse
Designer	TurboDork
Licence	CC-BY

Armor chainmail chain mail fabric nasa

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