Ball & Socket Gear Chain

thingiverse

To create an orthocopter mechanism for my butterfly project, I used Blender to design a setup where linear movement on the "Ball" string generates mirrored rotational motion in connected arms. To print the necessary components, you'll need 2 cogs, 2 arms, 2 pins, and 1 support bracket. Use a layer height of 0.1mm or better for precision. Be cautious while printing the Ball chain as it requires support to the baseplate; ensure a good first layer is laid down to avoid issues. The pieces are designed for an interference fit – press them together, moving back and forth until they glide smoothly, reducing backlash in the gear system.