Prime Link: 8_2_1

thingiverse

The prime link 8_2_1 model, displayed within a constant-radius tube and pulled taut, can be found in both thin and thick versions on this website. The thinner version's tube has been reduced to half its size for improved visibility of crossings. These knot models require less support material during printing. For more details about the prime link 8_2_1, refer to its Knot Atlas page at http://katlas.math.toronto.edu/L8a14. To learn more about tight knots, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ropelength. For ropelength data, check out http://www.jasoncantarella.com/wordpress/papers/. A movie of this prime link tightening is available at http://www.jasoncantarella.com/movs. This knot shape was created by RidgeRunner, a free software program that minimizes the length of a knot while maintaining a tube around it. RidgeRunner is accessible at http://www.jasoncantarella.com/wordpress/software/ridgerunner/. Different functions can be optimized to produce alternative shapes for the model.