Snowflake, a hexagon chain mail
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Published on October 15, 2012
This thing was Featured on November 1, 2012
Description
It's a hexagon chain mail thing.
Each chain is connected to 3 other chain elements.
Most chain mails I have seen have a quadratic form and 4 connecting neighbors. I found one triangle version with 3 connecting neighbors, too. They are listed as ancestors, because the ideas are similar.
Each chain is connected to 3 other chain elements.
Most chain mails I have seen have a quadratic form and 4 connecting neighbors. I found one triangle version with 3 connecting neighbors, too. They are listed as ancestors, because the ideas are similar.
Instructions
Make changes to OpenScad-file's parameters, resize it, print it, separate each chain carefully.
You might want to resize the 20x20 mesh to fit it to your printer plate.
Or you can delete some elements using Meshlab to make a chain (sf_big_chain.stl).
Using Meshlab:
- Open file / import your mesh
- find + push the "select connected components in a region" button
- use your mouse to select an element to delete
- press delete on your keyboard
- repeat that with other element of the chainmail
- file/export mesh as ...
You might want to resize the 20x20 mesh to fit it to your printer plate.
Or you can delete some elements using Meshlab to make a chain (sf_big_chain.stl).
Using Meshlab:
- Open file / import your mesh
- find + push the "select connected components in a region" button
- use your mouse to select an element to delete
- press delete on your keyboard
- repeat that with other element of the chainmail
- file/export mesh as ...
License
Using the bridging technique to build chain mails is really genius.
It's so amazing how one idea leads to the next idea. A teamwork with others I never met before. :-)
I'm looking forward to trying to print this at some point. Great design!
I have a lot of fun trying to design parts that print without support, and the bridging technique is one of my favorites :).
I think we are just beginning to see the potential of even this basic form of 3D printing. Thanks for pushing the envelope!