Parametric strandbeest in OpenSCAD

thingiverse

This is a customizable strandbeest designed completely from scratch in OpenSCAD, using only the [strandbeest linkage lengths](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strandbeest_Leg_Proportions.svg) as a guide. There are a number of strandbeesten available here on Thingiverse, but I perceived problems in all of them, such as: requiring support structure to print, asymmetrical joints, designs that haven't proven to be printable, too flimsy, too blocky-looking, or providing just STL files without CAD files for customization. So I set out to design my own strandbeest without these deficiencies. My requirements were: * Designed completely in OpenSCAD * No asymmetrical joints * All extrusion profiles use graceful curves, no straight lines * The widest leg segment (which I call a "bone", specifically bone "c" in the diagram) connects the central frame to the foot, for better stability * All parts are printable without support * All parts snap together, no glue or fasteners needed That last requirement turned out to be problematic but surmountable; read my article linked next to understand why. Printing and assembly --------------------- For information about printing, parts preparation, and step-by-step assembly, see **[my detailed article](https://www.nablu.com/2020/05/building-strandbeest.html)** about this project. Note that there is one STL file that should be printed in PETG: strandbeest_PETGparts.stl. Everything else can be PLA. I printed my strandbeest with 100% PLA, but if I do it again I would use PETG for all parts that have snap fittings. PLA is just too brittle; that's why I split out all the parts with snap fittings into one file to be printed with PETG.