Multi-material 3D Printing: Pop Fidget

[@KyleLoiselle]

Honestly always impressed by the ingenuity with which you solve problems I didn't know existed.

[@3DPrinty]

Thank you! Happy to share both the problems and solutions I run into :)

[@kellyjean4981]

Not only is the fidget a fantastic design, but I love that, as you mentioned at the end, it’s the perfect way to use up last bits of filament.

[@3DPrinty]

Thanks you! Yes, I'm building up quite a collection of buttons from various scraps now.

[@megamattplays4903]

Fantastic. I love your clicky button fidgets--I've printed about a dozen of those. With these guys, now I have an excuse to try printing in TPU!

[@3DPrinty]

Enjoy playing around with TPU - it's an amazing material once you can get it printing nicely :)

[@suburbansamurai3560]

My immediate thought was "what if you made the bubbles in the largest sheet into Mario or Zelda sprite art", but I guess and 8x8 grid isn't quite large enough to accommodate them.

[@3DPrinty]

You're in luck, then. I've just uploaded a 24x24 version!

[@radish6691]

Omg genius idea, I can see where my day off is headed!

[@navb0tactual]

As soon as my current projects are done these are so getting printed

[@3DPrinty]

And that's how the list of projects never ends :)

[@navb0tactual]

@@3DPrinty Yep haha

[@Kosaro1234]

This is wonderful! I hope you continue to use multi-marerial in your prints

[@3DPrinty]

It's in the cards :)

[@hedgehogmakes]

Perfect timing now that my toolchanger is printing!

[@3DPrinty]

That's what I hoped to hear! I've noticed that my own print-in-place copies have a slightly different feel than the ones where I insert the TPU gasket mid-print. If you're inclined to print a copy using both methods, it might be a good test of toolchanger accuracy - a printer test with a fun use :)

[@Ryzaki961]

The 20th was my birthday! Cant wait for your awesome releases! Whoooòoooooooo! LETS GO 3D PRINTY!!!!!!!!

[@3DPrinty]

Happy birthday!

[@jonmarler]

Such a clever idea! I would bet we see similar designs soon from other creators as well. Thank you for releasing this!

[@3DPrinty]

I hope so! With a little tweaking, I think this could be used as a practical connector in all sorts of models :)

[@JackPinesBlacksmithing]

I've printed a few of these and love them! While I have an A1, I don't think I can do multi-material with TPU. So, I printed the TPU from the external spool holder, then switched to the AMS for my holder, stopping at the spot you said to place the TPU inside, and finished the print.

[@3DPrinty]

I'm so glad it worked! Thanks for printing :)

[@ManiacalMaker]

Absolutely cool, great idea

[@Lordrocky24]

I literally got my ticket for RMRRF last night! Now I’m even more excited!

[@3DPrinty]

Awesome! See ya there :)

[@weisnowhere]

Thank you for being an early adopter of the prisa XL! I couldnt get it and really hope it doesn't flop enough that its not even an option when i can invest in a large format idex printer!

[@3DPrinty]

The XL was a big investment, but I'm enjoying it a lot! Now that it's shipping, I don't see any reason it wouldn't stick around :)

[@dave20874]

What an elegant design! See you at RMRRF!

[@3DPrinty]

Thanks so much! I'm really looking forward to RMRRF :)

[@syranth8912]

Another HIT!

[@BasedChais]

I like the intro song. Reminds me of Captain Disillusions intro song

[@3DPrinty]

Glad you like it :) I've heard it compared to "How It's Made" and "Look Around You". I'm happy to add CD to the list of sound-alikes!

[@AbbottJosh]

How do you like the Prusa XL so far? Have you experimented with an X1C yet? I've never done TPU before so this might be just enough to get me to pick up a spool. Thanks!

[@3DPrinty]

It's been great! I've spent years designing for manual filament swaps, so I love gaining the ability to juggle even more colors and materials automatically. I haven't tried any of the Bambu printers, but I'm happy to see the industry shaken up with new ideas and hardware :) Good luck with your TPU prints! It's a little rougher to print than PLA, but the functionality it provides is wonderful!

[@michaeltrull3365]

What do you mean by perimeter shells? I'm using Cura and is that more like top and bottom layer numbers?

[@3DPrinty]

Cura calls this "wall line count" - it refers to the number of lines of filament running around the perimeter of the shape. I hope that helps :)

[@radish6691]

Am I the only person who spells out PETG when he says it? That is, instead of saying “pet gee”? And I’ve been using PETG as support for PLA and vice versa for quite a while, it works a treat!

[@3DPrinty]

You are far from alone. In fact, I believe spelling it out is traditionally the correct way to say it - especially within a professional manufacturing context. But… I prefer to pronounce it “pet gee” because I like how it flows compared to the alternative. It’s one of those GIF or “jiff” things.

[@radish6691]

@@3DPrinty Thanks for the validation. 😁 My coworkers with 3D printers also say “pet gee” which is why I asked. This thread has made me realize I’m actually saying “Petey G” because I say the letters so quickly. 🤦‍♂️ Regardless, great models and videos, I’ve got the heart puzzle printing now and am busting out the TPU after that for pop fidgets. I love printing little gadgets and giving them to my fidgety coworkers.

[@redheadsg1]

Mid print stop that is never reliable on my printer.... yea thank you but no thank you.

[@3DPrinty]

That's unfortunate. Mid-print pauses are a very powerful technique for adding color or functionality to prints. I hope you'll be able to use the trick reliably in the future - either on a different printer or by improving the situation with your current one.