Steampunk cube gears
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About this print
A decorative cube featuring interlocking gears in a steampunk style, designed with snap-fit assembly so the internal motion mechanism is captured within the structure. Turning the cube causes the gears to move, making it a tactile desk ornament or display piece. PLA prints it cleanly and holds the snap-fit tolerances well enough for the gears to turn freely without extra finishing.
From the original design page
Original maker's notes
By joefe on Thingiverse · CC-BY-SA
Update - In the _v2 large corner pieces that I just uploaded, I removed the overhang that was causing the captured pieces to stick together in some prints. I have test printed another cube and the new _v2 pieces work great. I did have to tap the bottom of two of the large corners lightly with a pair of pliers to pop the middle loose. It took much less effort than before and I think they would have stayed separate if I had turned the temp down a little more during the print. The gold pictures are of the new one. I also realized that the one corner makes a nice little stand!
I was getting ready to print another copy of my Amazing Gyroscopic Cube Gears and got to thinking that while it is very cool that it is able to incorporate all of the motions it has, it is actually pretty plain. I incorporated a ton of hearts in many different ways when I created the Fantastical Gyroscopic Heart gears, but I wanted to something more artistic. 3D printing is after all a great platform for art work. So, I started thinking about what kind of styling really fit with it and immediately thought that a steampunk style would be perfect!
Given that the cube gears is the center piece of the Amazing Gyroscopic Cube Gears (I really need to think of shorter names) I decided to start there and got to work.
All eight of the corners and even the center piece have been steampunked. For the large gears, I wanted to add another level, so I modified them to print as two captured parts where the middle is tied to the cube center while the outside moves. This allowed me to add some interesting aspects. I felt that it wouldn't have the full effect without being painted to fit the style, so I went to the store and got an assortment of metallic acrylic paints and a fine point paint brush. I think that it turned out great!
Here's a video of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYsdtDzSaB4&feature=youtu.be
Update - I added a couple of pictures of the progress I have made on the Steampunk gyroscopic cube gears I designed this cube for. The small and large rings and gears are complete and turning well. They are unpainted in the picture though. I am working on the uprights now.
Formatting may have been simplified. These are the independent maker's instructions and fitment claims; Hark Tech has not independently verified them.
Printing Steampunk cube gears
For Steampunk cube gears we would normally reach for PETG — it is tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, ideal for parts that take load or live somewhere warm. 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 | 37,805 |
|---|---|
| Likes at source | 7,939 |
| Original model | View on Thingiverse |
| Designer | joefe |
| Licence | CC-BY-SA |
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