SnowFlake Mobile - Desktop or Free Hanging

thingiverse

This is a snowflake mobile created in BlocksCAD. This can be either a desktop mobile or a (simpler) free hanging mobile. It uses the "earring" snowflakes from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2728193 for the snowflakes. The xml files used to create the geometry in BlocksCAD are also provided. PRINT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DESKTOP MOBILE: suggestion: white snowflakes print 9 "earring" snowflakes from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2728193 suggestion: black mobile pieces print 3 small arms print 1 large arm print 1 base print 1 lower arm print 1 upper arm print 1 connector straight print 1 connector curved ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR DESKTOP MOBILE: I used heavy duty black thread to connect the snowflakes to the arms. Attach 3 snowflakes to outer ends of the arms of the small arm using black thread. The distance between the top of the snowflake and the small arm should be about 1 to 5 cm. Repeat for the other two small arms. Varying the thread lengths provides a more esthetic display. Attach the center of one of the small arms to one of the outer end of one of the arms on the large arm using black thread. This thread length should be about 2 cm. Repeat for the other two small arms Attach the center of the large arm to the hole in the top of the large arm using black thread. The length should be about 2 cm. Assemble the straight end of the lower arm to the base using the straight connector. Assemble the upper arm (& snowflakes) to the lower arm using the curved connecter. NOTE WELL: The small arms and large arms will not hang level with random snowflakes with different weights. The thread length has an insignificant impact on whether the arms hang level. ENGINEERING INSTRUCTORS: A student challenge would be to compute the equilibrium position of the small arm based on the weight of the individual snowflakes attached. It would be considered cruel and unusual punishment to ask students to compute the equilibrium position of the entire assembly. OPERATION: No batteries required. The slightest breeze will set the mobile in motion when thread is used. - put it near a heating register and the air currents will set it in motion - when all else fails: --- gently spin the top of the center large arm --- or blow on it --------------------------------------- PRINT INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREE HANGING MOBILE: suggestion: white snowflakes print 9 "earring" snowflakes from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2728193 suggestion: black mobile pieces print 3 small arms print 1 large arm ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREE HANGING MOBILE: Attach 3 snowflakes to outer ends of the arms of the small arm using black thread. The distance between the top of the snowflake and the small arm should be about 1 to 5 cm. Repeat for the other two small arms. Varying the thread lengths provides a more esthetic display. Attach the center of one of the small arms to one of the outer end of one of the arms on the large arm using black thread. This thread length should be about 2 cm. Repeat for the other two small arms Attach a long piece of black thread to the center of the large arm. Hang the assembly at a convenient location. ------- The stand is also used for the flying pig mobile: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2790832