This print-in-place “Happy Halloween” spine is fun to print and feels really weird to hold and move.
See here for video: https://youtu.be/1uJ-5xu7dJw
See here for stable download: https://thangs.com/mythangs/file/27750
The spine must be printed as oriented, with the spinous processes point up. Changing the orientation of the file will result in improper printing of the inner ball joint between adjacent vertebrae.
The transverse processes that stick out sideways do not need support. Therefore, you only need to support the base of the vertebral bodies and the top loop.
You’ll have to plan your support well in order to adequately support the curved bottom surface of the vertebral body. A suggested technique using Cura is to raise the object of the build plate by 3mm, and then add tree supports underneath. Switch “Support distance priority” to “xy overrides z” and tighten up the “xy support distance” to 0.1mm.
After printing there will be some small adhesions on the inside ball joint and in the facet joints. Just do some gentle spinal mobilization and they will release and move freely. Be sure to let your print fully cool first! If the plastic is still soft, the connector may break when you try to move it.
This spine was made using the “Custom Embossed Spine” pieces. Follow instructions to make your own! https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4916377
If you aren’t able to make your own, I will do my best make you a custom spine file in exchange for one (or more!) of the following:
- Drop me a few bucks via the “Tip Designer” link here on Thingiverse, or…
- Post a “Make” of your print here on Thingiverse, or…
- Post a picture of your print on Instagram and tag me at @davemakesstuffbc, or…
- Whatever other bartering arrangement you would like to suggest!
Message me with the following:
- Your spine name or message
- Size of your build plate
- Your preferred “payment” method
- An email to send Dropbox link to
Note that these are not anatomically correct! For design purposes, each vertebra is modelled off of the same vertebra, L3. The vertebral foramen has been filled in to provide strength and minimize overhangs, and the articular processes have been considerably reshaped to allow smooth movement.
