3D printer mechanical kit

Why 3D printed toys?

This is probably the first question that comes to mind, and it is not surprising, because often 3D printing can cost you more than the cost of such a toy in the store. But there are also a number of advantages of 3D printing, as well as cases when it would be more profitable and appropriate to turn to creating models on a 3D printer.

• As already mentioned, a toy printed on a 3D printer can be absolutely unique due to the ability to give it exactly the shapes, sizes and colors that you and your child want.
• Some toys can be difficult to find in the store, and their cost may exceed the cost of their printed copy.
• Sometimes you only need to replace one or a few broken or missing parts of a toy, such as a building toy. In this case, it will be much more profitable and more expedient to use a 3d printer than to buy a whole set for a high price.
• An important factor is, of course, the impressions of the 3d printing process itself, which will captivate both a child and an adult. And the positive emotions of your child from the toy you created will be the best reward!
• And for those who are just getting acquainted with their printer and 3d printing in general, the process of creating toys will be an excellent, exciting simulator to improve their skills and gain experience.

Which toys can be 3D printed?

In the context of constant development and increase in the possibilities of 3D printing technology, you can create almost any toy on a 3D printer, but the result largely depends on the capabilities of your device, your abilities, as well as the time, resources and effort that you are willing to devote to this process. Therefore, more or less simple projects are most often created on a 3D printer. But the relative ease of manufacture does not mean boring finished products! Below we will give you a list of 20 interesting 3D printed toys that are not particularly difficult to create. Among these crafts you will find toys for children of all ages, including the smallest: mechanical products, motion figures, building blocks and even rattles! For each toy from the list, we leave a link to the finished model so that you can try them yourself. So let's get to know them better!

1. Mini monster truck

Two monster trucks. Source: Thingiverse

Not everyone can afford a monster truck, but if you have a 3D printer, you can print yourself a mini copy of it... which is almost as cool. Thanks to the all-printed suspension and removable discs that attach easily and without the aid of glue to the body, this truck is perfect straight from the printed surface.

You can even choose from a variety of body styles and wheels. And for a two-tone tire, stop printing the wheel at 19.8 mm and replace the filament.

Model files for download can be found here.

2. Surprise eggs

Surprise! Source: Twitter

Bigger is not always better. And often the most interesting thing is just a small size, and these 3D printed eggs with a surprise are an example of this.

These tiny cars with moving wheels and other accessories are amazing! Plus, you have plenty to choose from, as you can print surprise eggs with just about anything inside, be it a fire truck or even a fighter plane!

No support required for these models. We advise you to use at least 40% infill to make sure that small elements are both beautiful and durable. Given the number of such tiny parts these machines have, be prepared that printing them can be a real challenge for you, but with good calibration and fine tuning of your machine, everything will work out in the best way!

3. Elastic Gliders

Get ready to take off! Source: Thingiverse

With this model on Thingiverse, you and your friends can take to the skies a whole fleet of these rubber gliders!

100% infill and a layer height of 0.1 mm are recommended for greater aircraft strength and longer life for thin wings.

4. Folding sword

Telescopic pirate sword. Source: Thingiverse

This toy may not be best given to a child when there are breakable items nearby. But in the right environment, telescopic swords will bring tons of fun and enjoyment to kids! From the designer of this folding pirate sword, you can also find models of telescopic katana, daggers and even lightsabers!

This Telescopic Pirate Sword is designed for printing at low speed using a 0.4mm nozzle. Also, successful printing requires a printer with a good retract and precise settings for Coast (turning off extrusion at the end of the layer print) and Wipe (“wiping” the nozzle at the end of the layer).

5. Micro Catapult

Hit all your enemies (or at least your deskmates). Source: Thingiverse

This little catapult is a great toy for kids and bored office workers alike. She can throw small crumpled pieces of paper and any other small things that will fit in her. Selected ammunition can fly about 2 meters, which is enough to hit unsuspecting victims at another table!

This model is an all-printed prefabricated assembly that does not require any supports or special adjustments. A minimum filling and layer height of 0.25 mm is sufficient.

Despite the fact that many catapults are made from PLA plastic, the author of the design still insists that this model is not for PLA, but for ABS plastic. We can also recommend PETG filament for this printing, which has the best qualities of PLA and ABS.

6. Top

The oldest toy for the whole family. Source: Thingiverse

As far as we know, the spinning top is one of the oldest toys in the world. In ancient times, tops were made from almost any material: from stone and wood to fruits and nuts. And now additive technologies allow you to make your own spinning top using a 3D printer! All you have to do is print this model, glue the pieces together and have fun with this simple yet fun toy!

Offered 0.2 mm layer height and 20% infill.

7. Moveable animals

Cute articulated octopus. Source: Thingiverse

Making flexible prints on a 3D printer has become completely affordable and common practice thanks to special filaments such as TPU. But what if we said that you don't have to use flexible plastics to create flex parts?

Using excellent hinges that are printed in one piece with the whole model, you can create movable flexing toys even from plastics such as PLA, ABS and PETG, without any additional settings and adjustments.

The standard specifies a layer height of 0.2 mm and an infill of at least 15%.

Most popular models:

• Octopus
• T-Rex
• Lizard

8. Spirograph

Convenient case for creativity at any time. Source: Thingiverse

Everyone knows the children's toy spirograph, which allows you to easily draw masterpieces with repeating geometric patterns. But this model went a little further and is a whole case containing a platform for drawing and a compartment for storing gears and paper. It fits easily into your pocket, backpack and bag, so you can take it with you and paint whenever you want!

The case has several levels. The lower level holds slips of paper for notes, drawing gears and, if desired, a small pencil or pen, if, of course, you can find one. The next level provides a secure, flat drawing surface so you can make art while walking! The top level has fixed gear teeth and holds the piece of paper in place.

A layer height of 0.2 mm and an infill of 20% or more is recommended. As a loop, a regular straightened 1.75 mm filament thread is used.

9. Transformers

Toys from the planet Cybertron. Source: Thingiverse

Transformers are a hugely popular children's toy to this day, so these Optimus Prime and Megatron are sure to please your kids.

This printed Optimus Prime transforms from a classic Optimus truck into a fully functional standing robot. And it's amazing, considering that you immediately get a ready-to-use all-printed model right from the printing platform, which does not even require supports!

But, of course, every Optimus needs an opponent to fight. Therefore, you can also print Megatron, but it should be noted that his model is more difficult to print and consists of two parts.

10. Set of toy tools

The first tools for little craftsmen. Source: Thingiverse

The Toy Tool Set is a great way to introduce kids to basic tools, their appearance, purpose, and how they work. Print your child's first hammer, screwdriver and pliers and he'll feel like a real craftsman!

The hammer is modeled to fit two pieces together with a screw, but some users simply glue them together, which is just as pretty. You can also use a hammer to assemble pliers: just lay the two pieces on a flat surface with the screw down and tap lightly a couple of times.

Model can be found here.

11. Castle

Build your own medieval world! Source: Thingiverse

This medieval castle playset is meticulously designed for 3D printing. Walls and towers are easily attached to each other with a simple connection. You can make as many details as you want to create a large or small original castle layout of your own! The set contains walls, towers, houses, characters, animals and a variety of props to add to the fun of this medieval set.

All parts are small enough to be printed comfortably even on 3D printers with a small printable area: 140x140x140mm. For such purposes, the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 3D printer is perfect, equipped with two independent extruders and has excellent printing accuracy. This printer will cope with the study of small details, and two extruders will help you print several parts at once or one part in two colors!

12. Lego bricks

Your favorite constructor is now more accessible! Source: Pinterest

LEGO is one of the most popular toys for children. At the same time, the cubes of this designer are made of ordinary ABS plastic. So, having your own 3D printer, you can print the missing/lost Lego bricks yourself or even some of your author's design of the details of this amazing designer! At the same time, you can use not only ABS, but also other 3D plastics: PLA and PETG are also great.

Thingiverse has a lot of Lego models, and we'll take a look at one of them. It's customizable model of several different LEGO and LEGO DUPLO pieces. These bricks are not completely identical to real Lego, but they are compatible in every way.

13. Ballista

Fire! Source: Thingiverse

Introducing a fully printed ballista model, ready to use right out of the box. One has only to set the string and load the projectile, and this ballista will impress you with its simplicity and good range of the arrow. As a bowstring, you can use several layers of thread or ordinary stationery gum.

Recommended to print in PLA or PETG with 90% coverage and 0.2mm layer height.

14. Edible toys

The Open Toys project turns ordinary vegetables into toys. Source: Thingiverse

The project was originally envisioned as a way to turn commonly discarded residual materials such as wood and cork into toys: helicopters, planes, cars and so on. But soon, wood and cork were replaced by more accessible and easily pierced materials: fruits and vegetables. With this project, you can turn ordinary food items into fun personalized toys.

15. Anti-stress keychain

Entertaining keychain. Source: Thingiverse

Add some flair to your keychain with this cool little toy. She will entertain you wherever you are!

This model is not the easiest, but try it and you will definitely succeed! Important print quality settings are "Outer Walls Before Inner Walls" and being extra careful with temperature. It is printed with supports and requires a certain, sometimes lengthy, post-processing. Remove not only supports, but also make sure that the surface of the part is smooth, otherwise it will cling and stutter. A scalpel or a 1 mm drill will do. Periodically rotate the gears to see where it still sticks, which is especially true when using PLA.

16. Chunky Trucks set

Two models from the fun and cute Chunky Trucks set. Source: Thingiverse

The adorable Chunky Trucks collection includes various unique models of small trucks, fun builders and even a movable barrier. The cars are specially designed so that even the smallest children can play with them. Unlike builders, who are not recommended to be printed for toddlers so that they do not try to put them in their mouths, but which will greatly amuse older children.

All models can be printed without supports. And for long truck life, at least 25% infill and three-wall use are recommended.

17. Rattleswords

Arm your warrior! Source: Thingiverse

Rattles are an integral part of all babies. But what if we move away from banal and boring designs and build a rattle in the form of a sword for your little warrior? This fun design will not only amuse your little one, but you too, as this rattle will be a lot of fun to print!

All corners of the model are rounded for safety. There are also two versions of the tip. Initially, a gem was attached to the tip, but after some concern that the stone could slip off the tip and be swallowed by a child, a second version was created that did not include a gem.

Print two sets of peas first. Then, while printing the sword, throw them inside the blade. This will ensure that the peas stay inside the rattle forever. After printing all the elements, simply fasten them with superglue.

As with any printed toy, parental guidance is required. Be sure to throw away the toy if it breaks.

18. Viking Squigglepeeps

Three Viking Squigglepeeps set sail. Source: Thingiverse

Squigglepeeps is another kid-safe toy, this time with absolutely no glue required. These fun chubby Vikings and their boat are too big to choke on, making them suitable for kids of all ages. They look funny even in one color, but they will be even more beautiful if you paint them with child-safe paints! The model also absolutely does not require supports.

19. Math Spinner

A great way to have fun learning math! Source: 3Dtoday

This math spinner is the perfect companion for learning math. Moreover, it is suitable for all ages, because it is never too late to brush up on your arithmetic knowledge! You can print this finished model or modify it for yourself by removing or adding rings. This advanced design contains all the signs of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equality and inequality, as well as a pointer to the string to be solved! On the central insert there are special grooves for fixing. For this version, you will need to print 2 caps and 8 rings of numbers, the rest of the details are printed in a single copy.

Recommended coverage 25% and layer height 0.2 mm.

20. Jumping turtles

The variety of these turtles is amazing! Source: Thingiverse

Last but not least, jumping turtles! Agree, even the name sounds fun! And a variety of shell designs will give each turtle its own uniqueness. This model uses the same flex concept as the Mini Monster Truck above, making the Turtles bounce when you tap on the body. Also in this turtle, the head can be drawn into the shell.

The model is assembled with printed H-clamps and does not require glue. All parts are printed without supports. Also note that using the raft (rafts) and brim (margins) options can have a negative effect on the results if you don't then take the time to sand and clean the edges at the base.

If you have problems with head slip, you can try to print 1 of the 3 narrower shaft head files that the author has specially uploaded for this case.

Results

We hope you enjoyed this selection of toys for 3D printing, and you will definitely choose some option for yourself, because 3D printing of toys is not only fun and interesting, it is also a new experience and knowledge for both you and and for the child. But we have considered only some entertaining options from the many existing ones. And, of course, you can create your own unique designs and implement them on your 3D printer or contact our 3D printing studio for this. And toys printed by you can serve as a great unique gift, which is also one of the reasons to buy a 3D printer for your home.

3D Printing in the Machine Shop: Lessons from A&M Tool

In manufacturing, success is always about speed. The ever-changing technology landscape offers manufacturers and machine shops the opportunity to increase their productivity by introducing new tools, but they also face the challenge of choosing technologies that can reliably and cost-effectively scale upgrades.

A&M Tool and Design has witnessed the evolution of precision and efficiency standards for over 65 years. At 19In 1948, the company began its activities as a small family mechanical workshop. This description is still true today, but, of course, in a modified version: next to highly skilled operators working on classic Bridgeport CNC machines, there are racks with eight support surfaces of the Mazak PALLETECH system, which can work without an operator 24/7.

Over the years, the workshop has been modernized, supplementing reliable traditional technologies and modernized machines for the production of parts with new equipment and specialized machines for the production of aerospace, optical and robotic components. Clients include Boston Dynamics, LinkNYC, NASA, Goodrich and Corning.

In addition to mass production automation equipment such as PALLETECH, last year the workshop purchased an industrial grade desktop stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer to speed up projects and attract more engineers. Since then, they have scaled the scope of 3D printing from prototyping and demonstration models to manufacturing auxiliaries and final parts for specialized equipment.

"3D printing has become an invaluable tool in our toolbox," says Guido Jacques, vice president of operations at A&M.

A&M Tool and Design machine shop uses a wide range of technologies, from Bridgeport CNC machines to the SLA desktop 3D printer.

A&M Tool added the Formlabs Form 2 desktop 3D printer to its toolbox less than a year ago to speed up prototyping workflows and increase in-house production of low-cost parts.

To effectively replace prototyping, which would otherwise be done through more labor-intensive workflows, 3D printing needed to be both cost-effective and accurate. Ryan Little, Mechanical Engineer at A&M Tool, after researching which 3D printer would best suit their needs, chose the Form 2.

“Among other things, we were looking for a 3D printer that could work autonomously and didn't require a lot of training to use,” says Little. We can use some of the CNC machines downstairs, but these are rarely free, and programming a CNC machine to do a complex job in Mastercam or on the controller itself can take hours. It takes 10 minutes to run a job in the Formlabs PreForm software and it really isn't that hard."

Changing tools and setting up CNC machines can take hours, while preparing a 3D print job takes less than 10 minutes.

Little and his colleagues regularly discover new opportunities to use cost-effective 3D printed plastic parts to improve workflows and projects. The printer serves as a workshop for fixing errors and speeding up deadlines, from prototyping to making production tools and printing final parts for temporary replacements.

In many cases, the decision comes down to the material: does it have to be metal? Can it be easily replaced with a polymer-based part?

“A lot can be done with a lathe. We can machine a shaft of a very specific diameter in 20 minutes and it will be a very precise job. But if it takes a machine operator five hours to program and 10 hours to fabricate, 3D printing will be preferable to machining,” says Little. — Compared to the world of machining, why choose titanium when this part can be made from aluminum. There is no need for titanium."

A&M Tool engineers regularly use the Form 2 3D printer to make prototypes, tooling and more

In the area of ​​prototyping, the workshop began using 3D printed parts to test fit and functionality. 3D printing allows Little and his engineers to produce parts much faster and use all the hours available in the day, starting printing at night and getting parts ready for use the next day. 3D printing comes into play especially when it comes to shaped parts that are expensive and time consuming to manufacture on a CNC machine.

“The printer is almost like an auxiliary tool in addition to CAD,” says Little. — We produce a huge number of prototypes for different types of tools. If we didn't have the Form 2, many prototypes would remain digitally in CAD until the machining queue was cleared, and some parts would never be made or designed because it would be impractical."

Many of the parts manufactured by A&M are designed to resist fatigue and/or carry loads. To prototype strong, functional parts and assemblies that will be subjected to transient loads or tension, Little often uses Tough Resin, a Formlabs polymer. Learn more about Formlabs Engineering Resins or request a free sample to experience the quality yourself.

CNC programming requires skill and time. When a part does not need to be metal, 3D printing can be a practical tool for prototyping or manufacturing tooling to produce the desired part much faster and at a lower cost.

A&M engineers also use 3D models to facilitate interaction with machine operators and welders by turning complex drawings into physical models. Machine operators are increasingly making requests for models themselves.

“Sometimes a hole in a finished part is knocked out in the wrong direction, or a feature is on the wrong side, and it can't be fixed. This happens when the part is already pretty much complete and has to be started all over again,” explains Little.

- We have highly skilled machinists who can read drawings with so many callouts that you can hardly see the drawing itself behind them, but even they sometimes need more clarity, especially when there are complex geometric elements, such as undercuts. Now, if we have an assembly file or a SolidWorks file, we make a model of the part to scale and give it to them, and they love it. Everyone in the workshop is even starting to get used to it.”

In addition to prototyping, A&M has expanded its use of 3D printing to produce functional parts such as fixtures, and even some end pieces, from an ergonomic handle for a custom machine to a temporary sprocket clutch for one of their polishers.

In particular, when a delivered sprocket coupler for one of their large polishers turned out to be the wrong size two days before a major trade show, Little quickly designed and 3D printed a replacement in the correct size in Durable Resin. The printed clutch was used to run a 2 hp grinder motor.

When a sprocket clutch for a polisher ordered before a big show turned out to be the wrong size, Little 3D printed a temporary replacement in Durable Resin.

Clamps, fasteners and other special production tools are essential for efficient and effective production. Check out our 3D Printing Jig and Fixture Design Guide for helpful tips and practical ideas.

A&M Tool purchased one 3D printer less than a year ago and continues to find new applications and experiment with new materials.

“3D printing allows us to do things that would not be easy to do in the shop, such as creating geometric conditions that would be a nightmare to implement on a machine, etc.

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