rotating rings - freeCAD exercise

TL;DR

Print in place rotating ring toy with freeCAD source to make your own.

Collection

rotating rings

Motivation

The oldest model i know from February 16, 2014 done by  RarelyEvil @ thingiverse goes around with many clones. Fascinated by articulated print in place models, i needed to figure out how to do that in freecad.

My first version last year was a terrible work but the redo last night, done in minutes, is worth to be shared. I add the freeCAD file for your pleasure.

Let's get started

You may use 3mf files with premade configs for prusaslicer and bambustudio.

The STL folder contains the pure STL files. The one with Toleranced in the name have a slightly higher print tolerance for “not so good” filaments. Each ring is an STL object so you can print with lesser rings if you like to make the toy smaller for childrens.

If you like to have more fun you can use the freeCAD file and make your very own version. The model is fully parametric so you can change the height or width or printing tolerance or even the size of the bullseye, by just typing in a number into the parameter spreadsheet. 

The included sketch allows you to add more rings or change the shape of the rings.

FreeCAD 

Change anything

One simple sketch

Weight / Haptics

It's your choice, print it fast in minutes with less infill or without any infill or print it 100% infill to feel the weight of the model. My wife likes the filled ones more. Many users told me they like the heavy ones too. 

Slicing

If you have a look at the 3mf files i made for prusa amd bambu you will see that i use different settings for the bullseye, the rings and the outer ring. The seam for the inner objects is random while the seam for the outermost ring is set to align. That looks much better and give the outer ring a haptic touch. Setting all seams to align can cause melting issues and the rings may not rotate freely. The could be printed without infill but i like the 100% filled versions more. Other people like the lite versions more. Do what you like to do.

Color / Multi Filament

If you like to print the toy with different colors each ring you can do that with prusaslicer or bambustudio.

Or paint stripes on the surface.

Or print crystal clear PETG and use a colored infill, you can do whatever you like to do.

Scaling

You can upscale the STL files in any way you like to do, scaling down will also reduce the freedom between the rings and that may cause printing problems.

Attribution

© yahbluez

Can I sell copies of this?

Yes! Yahbluez shared this project under the GNU GPL v3.0 license. This license allows selling copies, but you must provide proper attribution and use the GPL 3.0 license, as detailed in the GPL v3.0 license itself. You have not the right to use any other licence than GNU GPL 3.0.

Donation

If you like to donate you can buy me a coffee

Filament used

• extrudr PLA black RAL 9017
• Prusament PLA Oh My Gold Blend