Connectors for Platonic and Archimedean solids or polyhedra

thingiverse

Build your very own Platonic and Archimedean solids using these models and some standard drinking straws! Enjoy! **Overhang and S-models** For connectors with more than a 45° overhang, there's a version with small supports strips to prevent drooping of filament. (The supports Cura generated were virtually impossible to remove.) There are also models without the supports for when you want to use your own support structure or you have an awesome printer that doesn't droop. The file names that contain "-s-" have the little support strips. **The A- and B-models** The truncated cuboctahedron and truncated icosidodecahedron have an A- and a B-version of their connectors. They are mirrored versions of each other. You'll need to print half of the connectors with the A-model half with the B-model to complete the models. **Printing tips** These models have a small contact area with the build plate, so I recommend using PETG filament. It has very good build plate adhesion. I've tried using PLA, but the prints tend to get loose. Don't use a brim to fix adhesion problems. I found the brim very difficult to remove and the connectors wouldn't go into the straws. Your mileage may vary. Scale the models correctly! My 'standard straw' has a 4.5 mm diameter. You may have different straws, so check its size and scale the models accordingly. So: print a single connector, check the fit and re-scale as necessary. **Numbers** Here are the numbers of connectors (vertices) and straws (edges) you need for each model: - Tetrahedron: 4 connectors, 6 straws - Cube: 6 connectors, 12 straws - Octahedron: 8 connectors, 12 straws - Dodecahedron: 20 connectors, 30 straws - Isocahedron: 12 connectors, 30 straws - Truncated tetrahedron: 12 connectors, 18 straws - Cubocatahedron: 12 connectors, 24 straws - Truncated cube: 24 connectors, 36 straws - Truncated octahedron: 24 connectors, 36 straws - Rhombicuboctahedron: 24 connectors, 48 straws - Truncated cubocatahedron: 24 A-connectors, 24 B-connectors, 72 straws - Snub cube: 24 connectors, 60 straws - Icosidodecahedron: 30 connectors, 60 straws - Truncated dodecahedron: 60 connectors, 90 straws - Truncated isocahedron: 60 connectors, 90 straws - Rhombic icosidodecahedron: 60 connectors, 120 straws - Truncated icosidodecahedron: 60 A-connectors, 60 B-connectors, 180 straws - Snub dodecahedron: 60 connectors, 150 straws **Finally** The 'all connectors' file is just for an overview. Feel free to print the file, but it has little practical use.