Custom Snake Letter Segments

Create articulating snakes with custom words or messages!

See here for video of the full alphabet “Alphabet Asp”: https://youtu.be/HiXW619a290

See here for stable download: https://social.thangs.com/m/170953

Do not print these files directly! These files are intended to be assembled digitally and then printed all at once as a “print-in-place” model.

This snake uses a unique print-in-place ovoid joint designed to be stronger than the interlocking double ring joints used in many articulated designs, so this design is more suitable for use as a fidget or children’s toy.

You will need some experience with stl editing software to digitally assemble and prepare this snake to print. Meshmixer is a free and suitable program, but there are many others.

Here is a suggested workflow:

1. You will need to reference the origin point in your software in order to manipulate these files. Ensure that you know how to move and rotate objects relative to the origin point.
2. Import the “Head” and either the “Tail Pieces Curved” or “Tail Pieces Straight”. “Tail Pieces Curved” will save you a bit of space, especially if you are planning on coiling the snake to print.
3. Import the letter segments that you will need to write your word or message.
4. The snake is assembled by progressively adding letters to either the head or tail and applying rotation and translation along the x axis.
5. Move the assembled pieces exactly 25mm to position them properly relative to the next piece.
6. You may add rotation between pieces as you assemble them, but no more than 18 degrees or you will begin to get adhesions when printing.
7. Once you have your snake digitally assembled, run it through your preferred slicer and print! You may get some small adhesions between segments. Simply apply a bit of force to move the joint the first time, and it will be fine after that.