This is the second design of Fab365’s exclusive designer, Greedy Fox, Flexy shrimp. It is a very interesting design that moves by connecting it with a rubber band.
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Here is a description of the designer’s product. :
My second design is the Flexy Shrimp. This shrimp was a good item to design for 3D printing.
Because it was good to apply the flexible structure, I expected the result to be good.
Connecting with a rubber band was also an interesting idea.
However, I wanted to model the shrimp smaller, but if it is too small, it is difficult to put a rubber band, so it was modeled a little bigger.
The design of the head and body joints of the shrimp was done without much difficulty.
The organic shape of the shrimp head has many thin and pointed parts, so I simplified it.
And it was designed according to the angle that does not need support.
The shrimp’s body had a lot of coordination between the overlapping spacing of the connected parts and the position of the legs.
Above all, the legs of the shrimp were difficult.
Two methods were applied to bring out the feeling of the small legs of the fluttering stomach.
The first method is the folding method using living-hinge.
The front legs of the head were wide and folded well, but the legs of the belly part were too small to be modeled in any direction, so they broke easily when folded.
So, the second method, using a mechanical hinge, is now completed modeling.
This method looked well organized once the legs were fixed.
It’s a pity that it’s mechanical, but it’s better because there’s no reason to break it.
When printing, it is good to place it diagonally on the bed and print.
Before inserting the rubber band, the tail support must be cut off. It is best to cut it smooth with a knife if possible.
When inserting a rubber band, it is easier to insert the rubber band by hooking it from the tail. This is because the tail part has a small hole and it is difficult to insert it last.
A rubber band does not require any special tools, so you can use what is convenient for you, such as pens, pliers, or an awl.
After putting a rubber band on the shrimp leg, bend the middle joint of the leg outward and then turn the hinge part of the body side of the leg inward until it clicks.
If the legs do not fit well, you can use glue.
Please refer to the video for the detailed process.
Recommended rubber band size: thick, 50mm diameter