3D-printed zip hinge to connect flat shapes 3D model thumbnail

3D-printed zip hinge to connect flat shapes

by zenbonzo · via Thingiverse
FormatSTL
CategoryArt
LicenseCC BY-SA
UploadedMar 15, 2026
⬇ 32 downloads ❤ 2 likes 👁 58 views

Description

I invented, modeled, and 3D-printed this “zip” hinge to connect flat shapes. https://youtube.com/shorts/-DpRJxc_oa0 The idea is to build 3D objects (pseudo-origami, polyhedrons, foldable structures) quickly and easily by connecting the sides of flat geometric shapes with a purely mechanical, reversible ZIP-type hinge, allowing the shapes to be combined and recombined in infinite ways without the use of adhesives or additional connectors. The shapes are printed in PETG on a Snapmaker U1, 0.4mm nozzle, just 2 layers at 0.2mm. The print pattern is set to “Concentric” in ORCA 6 wall loops Top and Bottom shell layers: 1 and 1 Wall generator “Arachne” (I don’t think it changes anything in this case). You can obtain figures of different sizes and thicknesses simply by adjusting the scale independently for X, Y, and Z in your slicer. I recommend adjusting the X-Y contour compensation (in the ORCA slicer; similar settings in other slicers) to find the best balance between joint strength and ease of assembly. In my case, I set this parameter to -0.075.
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Originally published on Thingiverse