Kaleidocycle

grabcad

While doing research for the http://grabcad.com/challenges/dispensing-cap-mechanism, I came across www.protolabs.com This is a great resource for injunction molding information and they do rapid prototyping of injection molded and machined parts. They sent a bunch of free stuff and among the free stuff was their "Protogami"(tm) "A Proto Labs Kaleidocycle" that showes six different materials available each in four different finishes. My boys really like it and it is a fun thing to play with as it spins around. If you go to www.protomold.com you can get one of theirs for free. This is my rendition of it and I made to be 3D printed in a single print where it cannot come apart. I have not tried it yet but there should be enough clearance for it to work. The hinges could be modified to allow for the six individual parts (same part needed six times) to be printed separately and then assembled. The SW2012 zip files has the appropriate mates so you can see how it moves. I have not figured out how to animate it yet and would love any help in that matter. If someone print this pleas post pictures here.