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Your choice: a print file (STL) for your own 3D printer – instant download – or ready-printed with shipping.

The kaleido star of 8 modules in red and white with golden pegs
  • Image 1: The kaleido star of 8 modules in red and white with golden pegs
  • Image 2: Three stages of turning inside out side by side
  • Image 3: The same ring in turquoise and yellow
  • Image 4: One module and one peg, as they are printed

Images: 3D preview of the design

No. 71 · Ring of 8 hinged tetrahedra that turns endlessly through its own center – print files

Kaleido Star (Plug-Together Kaleidocycle)

  • Instant download (ZIP, 164 kB)
  • 4 files
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€2.90

Instant download · ZIP, 164 kB · No VAT charged pursuant to § 19 UStG

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Eight identical tetrahedron modules are joined with eight pegs into a ring. The ring can be turned through its own center again and again and shows changing star shapes.

In the download

  • Modul_8x.stl (print eight times)
  • Stift_8x.stl (print eight times)
  • Platte_8_Module_8_Stifte.stl
  • Passprobe_2_Module.stl (2 modules + 1 peg)
Ring
approx. 72 mm wide, up to 30 mm high (8 modules)
Module
tetrahedron with 28 mm edge, print size 26 × 23 × 26 mm
Hinge
eye Ø 7 mm, hole 3.7 mm, octagonal peg 3.1 mm
Clearance
0.4 mm axial, 0.5 mm around the hinge eyes
Parts
8 modules + 8 pegs
Format
STL, 4 files

The model

Each module is a tetrahedron with 28 mm edges. The hinge eyes sit on two opposite edges that are perpendicular to each other: two outer ones at the bottom, one middle one at the top. The middle eye of one module reaches between the outer eyes of the next, and a peg with a head and two latching lugs joins them. The hinge axes lie exactly on the tetrahedron edges, as the motion requires.

When turning inside out, each hinge swings by ±90° around the straight position. The symmetric motion is calculated in 24 positions over the whole cycle: modules and pegs do not collide anywhere, and the smallest distance between two modules is 0.4 mm.

The pictures show the ring with 8 modules, four red and four white alternating. Modules and pegs can be reprinted as often as you like; rings with 10 or 12 modules are also calculated in 24 positions each and run without collision. The fit test contains two modules and one peg to try the hinge and latching in advance. The plate contains all 16 parts for a single-color print.

View print notes (German)

Print notes included in German; part names are self-explanatory.

You will need

  • 3D printer with a print area of at least 160 × 65 mm for the plate, single parts from 30 × 30 mm
  • Filament in one to three colors

Printing

Orientation
modules standing on the two lower hinge eyes, pegs lying
Supports
none; one 7.8 mm bridge per module
Adhesion
brim recommended, the footprint per module is 2 × 9 × 4 mm
Print area
plate with all parts 155 × 62 mm
Material
PETG, 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layers
Colors
single color or four modules each in two colors

Notes

  • A ring of 8 tetrahedra has extra freedom of movement beyond the turning motion, so it is intentionally a little loose. Not suitable for children under 3 years (small parts that can be swallowed).
  • The files are for your private use – print them as often as you like. You may not pass on, upload or sell the files themselves.

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