Fidget Spinner

thingiverse

Building a basic fidget spinner from scratch using FreeCAD involves breaking down the design into manageable components and bringing them to life through precise engineering. The process begins by creating a new project in FreeCAD, selecting a suitable unit system, and setting up a 3D workspace for visualization. Next, users define the parameters of the fidget spinner's core, such as its radius, height, and material properties. This is done by creating a new sketch, adding geometric shapes, and applying constraints to achieve the desired dimensions. Once the core is defined, users can proceed with designing the outer ring, incorporating features like teeth or notches for added functionality. To bring the design to life, users apply manufacturing techniques such as extrusion, sweeping, or lofting, depending on their specific needs. They also have the flexibility to add textures, colors, and other visual effects using FreeCAD's built-in tools or by importing external assets. Throughout the process, users can simulate the behavior of their design under various conditions, including stress tests and collisions, ensuring that it meets performance requirements. Once satisfied with the design, users can export their fidget spinner as a 3D model file, ready for printing or further refinement.