Lasercut triceratops skeleton puzzle

thingiverse

This one is based on triceratops puzzles found in countless versions online and in toy stores, all virtually identical. The creator of this particular puzzle remains unknown to me. To cater to kids during a dinosaur-themed week at our science centre, I needed a small yet rugged triceratops model for them to excavate. Using web pictures and several different kits as references, I made several adjustments not just in size but also design. Since the thickness of my material sheets demands it, I carefully rebuilt parts to ensure seamless assembly. The drawing prints out as a framed kit, allowing you to fit 12 triceratops on an 18'' X 24'' sheet of 1/8'' MDF, plywood or acrylic for aspiring paleontologists to enjoy. Instructions I designed the whole thing using Drawsight's splines based on kits I used as guides. The two hip parts are slightly different, with one fitting into the back and the other into the front. Decide where they fit best according to your judgment. Two ribs have a thinner profile than the others, so insert them in the front between the shoulders of the front legs. Typically, I install the rest of the ribs in descending order from the front side, but due to frustration with my spline designs, I chose not to further refine it. Attach the bone neck shield first to the head, followed by the neck, and then the two sides of the head. This ensures the neck doesn't conflict with the sides. To minimize this issue, I thinned out the neck slightly; however, I'm unsure if I removed enough material. Have fun discovering your own dino!