duck belt buckle (duckle)

thingiverse

A Superior Belt Buckle Design for Everyday Use The initial prototype printed in PLA proved to be a success. Although the refined version has yet to be printed, I anticipate no unexpected issues. March 14, 2017: The latest iteration (schnoin16.stl) features an inverted design to prevent unsightly surfaces from facing upwards while being worn. This updated model also boasts less edgy corners, a looser fit for the snappers, and a tighter fit for the main-buckle-lever. Additionally, it includes a button-hole and 20% more visual appeal (although I'm still unsure if faux-poly-art-stuff is superior to none at all). Pictures will be posted soon. March 15, 2017: It's time to face reality - ducks are awesome, and everyone loves them. Therefore, there's now a belt buckle featuring a duck design available for use. Enjoy! March 16, 2017: The latest iteration boasts a more robust wall, sharper teeth, a more elegant shape, a shorter lever, some minor enhancements, and a bent duck. April 23, 2017: A serious buckle for serious events (such as funerals, weddings, and other formal occasions) has been created - with a checkered pattern instead of the ducky design. This model was printed in polycarbonate and is more transparent than it appears in photos; it's also the sturdiest version yet. However, I haven't managed to break any other version yet. Even a wooden one still functions, although it's slightly loose. November 10, 2017: After approximately six months of use, the polycarbonate buckle broke unexpectedly - specifically at the bottom corner of the main-frame. Surprisingly, the lid with its thin cylindrical parts remained intact (I had always assumed this would be the weak point). Consequently, I redesigned the entire buckle for enhanced stability and reduced thickness. The top and bottom faces are now thicker, and the overall buckle is 2mm thinner. This makes it as slim and sturdy as possible, in my opinion. I've also eliminated the unnecessary hole in the wall and made the "teeth" more even. The current version is #49 and comes in both empty and duck-shaped designs. The picture shows a yellow PETG-printed model. Print Settings Printer Brand: Wanhao Printer: Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.1mm Infill: 100% Notes: Works well in PLA, looks great, and functions even better in green-tec. Almost any material should be suitable for this buckle; however, it's likely best to choose something with good layer bonding and reasonable flexibility. Print in the given position with about 20% zig-zag support everywhere for structures above 85°. These settings work fine for me using Cura. Nozzle size was 0.5mm for that one, but larger ones may work even better. Post-Printing Some sanding may be necessary.