Linkable TPU 50mm Lamellar Armor Segments / Scales

thingiverse

***Have not printed myself yet, sharing because excited, at own risk until cover photo is a real photo*** I've been hoping "forever" that someone else would make a set of segments that could be used to make a fully 3d printable set of armor, but now I've done it. This thing uses 50mmx75mm armor tiles with a 25mm overlap to yield 50mm^2 of coverage per piece. When printed in TPU or any flexible Filament, the strips coming off each tile connect to create an interlocking mesh under the armor. Because of the sheer number of options, I have these grouped in each STL. You must know how to split objects and reflect objects with your slicer in order to use these designs. As usual (for me) 123dx and STEP also uploaded. I have uploaded four styles: Square, 12.5mm Rounded, 12.5mm Chamfered, and Pointed (25mm Chamfered). Each Style/thickness combination has a 25mm straight, 50mm straight, 75mm straight, 25>50mm taper and 50>25mm taper. Each style is available either in a flat 0.6mm version or a version that tapers from 0.6 up to 1.2mm at the edge for additional stability. Depending on your preferences/needs, these can also be vertically scaled to make them thicker, but too much would create excess cost and difficulty of knitting. Each Style/thickness combination has a 25mm straight, 50mm straight, 75mm straight, 25>50mm taper and 50>25mm taper. There are a set of pieces for each style that are intended to be sewn onto the top layer of rings, making a nice-looking and functional finish for the piece. I made 2mm holes but will probably use heavy polyester thread personally. There is a file with 25, 50, & &5mm wide base segments that are intended to be used as a starting point (bottom/hem/whatever) These tiles are only square, are much thicker to give the bottom a little weight, and will be mostly covered by the next layer. There is also a file with a 45 degree ramp. This would notionally be used to make a sleeve that had an angle. Finally, I've included two sizes of eyelet that can be woven into the edge to facilitate lacing with paracord or whatever. As a bonus, there is also a star/mountain pattern segment included. I haven't printed it and since those must flex, it's hard to say how well it will work, but I've lapped a bunch in CAD and think they will nest on a 29mm grid. I've been trying to design lamellar scale armor for costumes/ cosplay for over a year, but was having trouble with the mechanics. on May 10th 2021, I saw Adam Savages vlogging about of a product on kickstarter for a different type of scale mail. It was just the finishing touch I needed for my design. I considered whether or not this might infringe upon foamarmory.com's design, however I do not believe so since: 1) I've made substantial differences to the construction mechanism 2) The tiles have very different shape connecting pieces which I believe are a dimension that would not be structurally sound using EVA. 3) I have pieces in several structurally different shapes 4) Their mail is knit together and is functionally identical to actual knitting, for which there is plenty of prior art representing 5) Their site makes no assertions of patent or exclusivity to the design