Impossible 3D-printed bolt and nut

myminifactory

The "Impossible Bolt and Nut" is a fun, printable two-part assembly with working threads where a nut gets stuck on a bolt. One STL file contains the nut placed at a slight distance from the bolt's head. The space between them is designed to create a fracture plane so that the nut can be removed from the bolt's head easily. We have provided several STL files scaled to fit commonly available 3D-printer heights, so you can choose the one closest to your desired print height. You can also scale up or down and get successful results. For more information on how to 3D-print this bolt and nut, please see our instructions. Also note that some slicing software might interpret the air gap as an STL defect and remove it during printing. To avoid this, you will need to disable the STL heal function. Download the STL files and print your own! VIDEO: http://youtu.be/GbDMlNjrUM4 The Gap Between Bolt and Nut There is a gap between the nut and the bolt's head. The size of this gap allows the slicing software to "skip" a layer. This air gap should be small enough for the nut's first layer to stick to the bolt's head but still large enough for them to separate easily. We adjusted this gap so that it fits 3D-prints made from PLA and ABS. Removing the Nut from the Bolt Be careful not to cut yourself! Use a thin knife blade and insert it between the bolt's head and the nut. Wiggle it around until you can feel most of the gap is broken free. Then, remove the knife and carefully unscrew the nut. Choosing the Correct STL File We provided several STL files in this thing for different 3D printer Z-heights. Choose the STL that fits your 3D printer and scale it slightly if needed. The main thing is not to affect the gap too much when scaling the bolt.