by muzz64
The Year of the Pig design features a decorated pig for the Chinese year and includes a centre decorated section that spins for 'fidget' value. There are two versions provided, one just for fun and the second has a slightly different tail that has been reshaped so it more easily be slid onto a key ring and used as a FOB. In addition, undecorated versions have also been provided... in case you would prefer a plain pig.
The decorated pig is best printed in two colors by pausing your machine for filament color changes at approx. 2mm through the print then again at approx. 8mm. Refer to the images for more information and pay particular attention to the formation of the ears and tail to determine the appropriate times. Using red outer surfaces and a white centre provides the most traditional looking result.
The centre section is designed to spin for novelty / fidget value. This should break free post printing relatively easily provided the file is precisely sliced and it has been printed on a well set up / accurate machine.
This is an easy and fun little print... and doing the color changes is well worth the additional time and effort. It is also worth noting that using fast outline speeds is likely to affect the clarity of the fine parts in the decoration. The prints in the images were printed with 20 mm/s outline speed.
Please refer to the images and print settings for additional information.... and post images of your prints for other members to see.
Note: If you like this check out the rest of my fun and practical designs.
Remove the Raft and break away the small amount of designed in Support under the tail (depending on version)
With the Raft and Support removed the only other post print work required is to free the centre decoration part on the 'spin' versions. If well printed this should break away with relative ease by wriggling this part within the outer body of the pig. If it has fused slightly running a craft knife or finger nail around both sides of the groove between the parts should help free it.
A light spray of a silicone (or similar) lubricant into the groove will help the centre section spin easier / faster with less friction.
Note: If your centre section is fused this will be due to the precision of the slicing, the accuracy of the machines and/or filament used. Not all slicing apps, machines or filament deliver the same results. The simple solution is to uniformly scale the model up 3 - 5% before slicing and/or rotate it on the slicers platform prior to slicing. In this way internal clearances will be increased slightly and a different tool path will be developed.
