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Uno, Dos, Bots

Bring Your 3D Prints to Life: 30 Fun Arduino Projects That Move, Blink & Think

Picture ofLauren Fuentes
by Lauren Fuentes, David Henning
Updated Nov 6, 2026

Whether you’re after an easy first build or an AI-powered robot, these 30 Arduino projects all come to life with a 3D printer.

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Arduino is the beating heart of the maker community. It has turned electronics into a hobby anyone can pick up and learn: plug in a small open-source board, write a few lines of code, and make something in the real world blink, move, sense or respond.

Makers use Arduino to automate their homes, build robots, games and gadgets, power art installations, and test ideas that code alone could never bring to life. Pair that with 3D printing and the possibilities multiply. A printer gives your electronics a body: cases, gears, linkages, arms, lamp housings and mounts, all shaped around the parts you have on hand.

We’ve curated a list of of projects ranging from robots that can sense faces, learn to walk, and get back up after falling. And we’ve covered Arduino boards for every step, from the beginner-friendly Uno and Nano to newer boards like the UNO Q, which pairs a microcontroller with a small Linux computer.

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Robotics

Whether you’re a sci-fi fan or enjoy cool autonomous mechanisms, you can build your own robot with an Arduino as the brain and 3D-printed parts for the body.

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The Best Arduino 3D Print Projects

A Robot Arm That Sees You

Image of: A Robot Arm That Sees You
The Robot Arm That Sees You uses a camera and face detection running on an Arduino UNO Q to find a person, then hands over a small gadget such as a pen (Source: Arduino Project Hub)

This is not just any robot arm. A camera on its head detects people’s faces, and the arm responds by delivering a small gadget (a pen, in the demo) to the person it senses, with no buttons and no commands. That is possible because of the Arduino UNO Q, a board that pairs a microcontroller with a small Linux computer. It runs the face detection on the board itself, so the arm can “think for itself” about who is in front of it, and a Modulino LED Matrix gives the head a display.

Its a fairly demanding project. Most Arduino arms use cheap hobby servos, but this one uses four Feetech STS3215 serial bus servos for its joints. These servos are chained together on a single data line, and each has its own ID so the board can address it individually. A Waveshare driver board sits between the UNO Q and the chain, and only the gripper uses an ordinary PWM servo. That takes more wiring, setup and code than a typical arm, but in return the joints can report back where they are.

It comes with ready-to-print files, along with the Python and Arduino code. The structure is printed in PETG and the gripper parts in flexible TPU. The real draw is the UNO Q itself, which pairs a Linux processor with a microcontroller, so one board can run the camera and the detection and also take care of the servo movement. The same pattern, a board that sees and then moves, runs through most of the builds in this section.

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The Best Arduino 3D Print Projects

JBR-001 Desktop Companion

Image of: JBR-001 Desktop Companion
Adding a camera enables the robot to go beyond distance sensing and respond to what it sees (Source: Arduino Project Hub)

JBR-001 is a small desktop companion that greets you when you step close. Three servos move its head and arms, an LED matrix plays a heartbeat animation, and a buzzer plays a tune. A Modulino Distance sensor triggers the greeting once and only re-arms after you step away.

Released under an open source license, the designer describes it as a base for experimenting with robotics and computer vision. The Project Hub page offers a wiring schematic, an assembly PDF and the code, and the GitHub repository has a folder of printable files.

The camera adds another level of interaction, enabling the robot to go beyond simple distance sensing and respond to what it sees. The AI is for you to add, and it is what makes the camera worth having: a vision model running on the UNO Q could let the robot recognize a face or an object and react to it, so it responds to who or what is in front of it, not just how close it is.

The build involves three servo motors that move the head and arms. They run from an their own power supply rather than drawing power from the UNO Q, because motors need far more power than the board can safely supply. The supply is also wired to the board’s ground connection, so the two share the same electrical reference point and the board’s control signals can reliably drive the servos. The camera and the UNO Q connect through a USB-C hub.

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XGO Duck

Image of: XGO Duck
The XGO Duck performing a roll, one of the movements its onboard neural-network policies can run on the Arduino UNO Q (Source: LuwuDynamics via GitHub)

This printed robot duck walks, gets back up after a fall and picks up small objects, and none of it is hand-coded. Its movements come from neural-network policies trained with reinforcement learning in simulation. On the Arduino UNO Q, the Linux processor runs those trained movements while the microcontroller sends the commands to the servos, and a motion sensor tells the duck how it is tilting. If that sounds technical, keep in mind that this is an expert build. But if you are feeling ambitious, it basically means the UNO Q’s two halves share the work: the Linux side acts as the brain, deciding how each joint should move, and the microcontroller acts as the reflexes, carrying those commands out quickly and steadily so the duck stays balanced.

The XGO Duck is based on Microduck, the robot duck from Pollen Robotics and Hugging Face.  Whereas Microduck’s mechanical and electronic design files are not open, Luwu Dynamics published the STL files, bill of materials, a 25-page assembly guide, firmware and training code, so you can print and build your own. And where Microduck runs on a Rockchip computer, this version is built around the Arduino UNO Q, with a custom expansion board carrying the IMU and power distribution. The bundled walk, get-up and pick policies work without any training of your own, and a fourth policy performs a roll. Fifteen serial servos move the legs, neck, head and mouth, and the foot soles and mouth are printed in TPU. It is a demanding, but rewarding build.

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Theo Jansen-Style Octopod

Image of: Theo Jansen-Style Octopod
An IR remote connected to an Arduino Uno steers the Octopod (Source: Maker 101 via Hackster)

Styled on the large wind-powered walking Strandbeest sculptures of Dutch Artist, Theo Jansen, this build gives his walking lineage idea a desktop-sized, remote controlled makeover. Two DC gear motors drive the eight legs through printed linkages, and an IR remote connected to an Arduino Uno steers the walker forward, backward, left and right, or stops it.

Even though the design is made up of 79 printed parts (55 main parts and 24 clip washers), its a relatively simple print of approximately six hours. The designer lists page lists the STL files, sketches and a custom board design, all open source and free to use and modify (GPL3+ license), and the build takes around three hours.

The designer used his own control board rather than a stock Uno, but it is compatible: it uses the same chip, and you select Arduino Uno as the board in the Arduino software (IDE), so a standard Uno with a motor driver will do the same job.

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Designer: Maker 101
  • Project pages: Hackster
  • Core components: Arduino Uno R3, L293D motor driver, two DC gear motors, IR receiver and remote

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SMARS

The SMARS are modular robots that can be fitted with a number of add-ons
The SMARS are modular robots that can be fitted with a number of add-ons (Source: tristomietitoredeituit via Thingiverse)

SMARS stands for Screwless/Screwed Modular Assembleable Robotic System, and these robots require fewer components that are easily assembled. They also perform a set task, such as following a drawn line or avoiding obstacles, with different sensor add-ons.

The SMARS modular robot was first published on Thingiverse in 2017 and soon earned a legion of fans. The simplicity of the SMARS has led many users to design and share their own models and add-on modules.

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Super Bot Gears

Which level can you pass?
Which level can you pass? (Source: bzqp via Printables)

Starting with Arduino can be daunting for a beginner, particularly if you’ve never seen a line of code. Here comes this cute and funny bot set that will help you start your journey in the Arduino world. It includes five projects of increasing difficulty, so you’ll be able to approach electronics with fun and grow your skill set as you move forward.

All the code and wiring diagrams were published by the creator, together with a video that shows some examples of how to use the various bots; for instance, you can’t miss the blinking project and the following potentiometer experiment.

Not all design options are robot arms, but as a starting point for learning and moving toward one or two, this is a great project.

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Robotic Arm

(Source: Emre Kalem via MakerWorld)
Your own industrial robot, desktop-sized (Source: Emre Kalem via MakerWorld)

Robotic arms are a staple of advanced manufacturing, but they usually cost a fortune. This project by Emre Kalem brings that industrial-cool factor to your desk at a fraction of the price. It’s a 4-axis robotic arm that uses powerful standard servos for the heavy lifting and smaller micro servos for the gripper, giving it enough dexterity to pick up and place objects with surprising precision.

The design is chunky and robust, using 608 bearings (the kind found in fidget spinners and skateboards) to ensure smooth rotation at the base and joints. It’s controlled by an Arduino Uno or Mega, and the creator has provided code that allows for manual control via potentiometers or pre-programmed sequences. The community feedback highlights its sturdy build, though you might need to tweak the servo mounts slightly depending on the exact brand of motors you use.

It’s an excellent bridge between 3D printing and mechatronics, offering a tangible way to learn about kinematics and servo control.

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Designer: Emre Kalem
  • Project page: MakerWorld
  • Core components: Arduino Uno, servos, bearings

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Face-Following Robot

Image of: Face-Following Robot
Follows you wherever you go (Source: SamuelAlexander via GitHub)

This small two-wheeled robot turns toward your face and follows it. A USB webcam feeds a face-detection model running on an Arduino UNO Q at roughly 10 to 15 frames per second, and the robot steers toward the face with proportional control.

The code and 3D file are freely available on GitHub as open source. Two continuous-rotation servos drive the wheels, and a USB-C power bank runs the whole robot, so it runs on its own once you’ve uploaded the code. A browser dashboard shows what the robot detects.

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Designer: Samuel Alexander
  • Project pages: GitHub
  • Core components: Arduino UNO Q (2 or 4 GB, Logitech C922 or another UVC webcam, two Parallax continuous-rotation servos, USB-C PD power bank with splitter, 100 µF decoupling capacitors

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Cyborg Hand

TanwayBenjwal's robotic hand can work as a platform for different applications
This robotic hand can work as a platform for different applications (Source: TanmayBenjwal via Instructables)

Inspired by sci-fi movies and a couple of open-source projects, engineering student Tanmay Benjwal created a life-sized cyborg hand platform for various applications. The project was designed in Tinkercad and Fusion, and is composed of 3D printed parts and electronics.

Finger and wrist movement is driven by five MG995 servos via string-and-pulley mechanisms, with an Arduino Uno controlling the entire assembly. The hand itself can be controlled in different ways, including simple potentiometers, VR gloves, and even direct coding (the author provides an example).

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FPV RC Tracked Car plus Remote

(Source: Morrisl4 via Instructables)
Basically, it is a little exploration rover with a camera (Source: Morrisl4 via Instructables)

Ever wanted to drive a tank from the driver’s seat? This project lets you do just that, scaling the experience down to a desktop-sized rover. By combining 3D printed tank tracks with an FPV (First-Person View) camera system, user Morrisl4 has created a rugged little explorer that sends live video feedback to your laptop or phone.

The build is a comprehensive robotics lesson that requires you to assemble a custom remote controller using an Arduino Nano and joystick modules. At the same time, the tank is controlled by an Arduino Uno. The tracked system is designed to traverse rough terrain that wheeled robots might struggle with. The designer explicitly recommends using ABS for the FPV camera case to dissipate heat, while PLA is suitable for the chassis and tracks.

It’s an ambitious project that rewards you with a highly capable machine. The custom controller design is also versatile enough to be reused for future RC projects, making the effort even more worthwhile.

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Designer: Morrisl4
  • Project page: Instructables
  • Core components: Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, motors, FPV camera kit

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Household / Fun

There’s no shortage of interesting IoT (internet of things) projects for your home or entertainment. Read on for our favorites!

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Simon Game

Source: Christophersfactory via Instructables
Test your memory skills! (Source: christophersfactory via Instructables)

Do you remember the game Simon? It’s the classic short-term memory game where you have to repeat an ever-growing sequence of lights and sounds. It’s addictive, frustrating, and incredibly fun.

Instructables user christophersfactory has brought this nostalgia trip into the modern maker era with a robust, handheld version that you can build yourself. This project isn’t just about flashing lights; it’s a great deep dive into electronics. While an Arduino Nano handles the logic, the design cleverly ICs and transistors to ensure the big, satisfying arcade buttons light up both when the game plays a sequence and when you press them. The creator provides a custom PCB blueprint to keep things tidy, but you can also wire it up on a breadboard if you’re feeling brave.

The casing is 3D-printed in PLA and designed to be durable enough to withstand player frustration from button-mashing. The guide is exceptionally detailed, breaking down complex wiring into manageable steps, making it an ideal project to level up your soldering and circuit-building skills.

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Macro Keyboard with e-ink Display

The RGB knob simply takes the keypad to the next level!
The RGB knob simply takes the keypad to the next level! (Source: Sebastian Staacks via There oughta be…)

If you’re doing the same tasks over and over again, DIY macro keyboards can save you time. What differentiates this DIY project is the addition of context-based key configuration. In simpler terms, the actions triggered by the keys can be configured differently depending on which application you’re using.

For example, if you’re working in Autodesk Fusion, you could set the keys to trigger Fusion-specific keyboard shortcuts. And if you’re designing PCBs in KiCAD, you can set the keys to perform functions specific to the program. The best part is, you even get to see which key is assigned for what on the e-paper display!

In terms of documentation, this is among the most impressive projects in this article, as it includes plenty of helpful illustrations and detailed instructions, available in both video and text formats. Check it out if the idea of such a macro keyboard excites you.

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SpaceMouse

The V1 holds up
The V1 holds up (Source: TeachingTech via Printables)

Many 3D modelers swear by their SpaceMouse – and that’s totally fair, it’s an amazing accessory for CAD work. There have been many attempts to make open-source versions of the SpaceMouse, and this remix of Space Mushroom basically takes the best part of each design and combines them.

Even if you’re not planning to build it, the video is worth watching, as the creator goes through the journey of designing and building the first version in depth.

It’s not a particularly challenging project, but it’s worth noting that the wiring can be a bit tricky, as you will need to fit a lot of components in a small space.

  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Designer: Teaching Tech
  • Project pages: YouTube (V1), Printables (V2)
  • Core components: Arduino Pro Micro, Arduino-compatible analog joystick, fasteners

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Filament Maker

You can easily connect the hot end to the PCB to test it
You can easily connect the hot end to the PCB to test it (Source: Michael Klements via The DIY Life)

Upcycling old plastic bottles to PET-G filament you can 3D print with has become a thing in the community. The principle is straightforward. You melt a strand of a used plastic bottle in a nozzle and wind it on a spool for further use. The Arduino controls the stepper motors.

Michael Klements’ project is neatly documented and perfect for beginners who would like to try something slightly more challenging. The author has also prepared a PCB design for it, so if you want to make a more permanent version, you can order the PCB from an online vendor and solder the components yourself.

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Reusing 3D Printer Electronics

You can repurpose the LCD screen as well!
You can repurpose the LCD screen as well! (Source: Teaching Tech via YouTube)

This is a problem 3D printing hobbyists can face: as they upgrade their machines, they eventually end up with stock electronics too good to throw away. A common example would be stock inferior 8-bit motherboards with noisy stepper motor drivers – you wouldn’t really want to reuse them for another printer. But why throw away something that works?

That’s where this guide comes in, showing you how to repurpose your 3D printer electronics for other projects, like running custom code on the controller board and even recycling the display.

3D printer controller boards are essentially Arduinos on steroids, with numerous 3D printer-specific electronics onboard. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t run Arduino on them and use them for other projects. All you have to do is flash the bootloader on the controller board, as shown in the video. As you can guess already, the display could be controlled with custom Arduino code, too.

A possible use case for this could be robotics projects that require stepper motors. Since the controller board already has the stepper motor drivers, it’s a great all-in-one solution.

  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Designer: Teaching Tech
  • Project page: YouTube
  • Core components: Leftover 3D printer electronics

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Lamps

While these are part of your household, you can also have them in your workspace. We decided to have them in a category of their own, to really let them shine.

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Hand-Following AI Task Light

Image of: Hand-Following AI Task Light
he Hand-Following AI Task Light uses a camera to spot your hand, and an Arduino Nano moves the lamp to follow it (Source: Harry Goa via Hackaday)

For when you just can’t seem to position your desk lamp correctly and it casts annoying shadows over where you’re trying to work, this desk lamp follows your hand around the page. A USB camera on the lamp sends images to a Python object-detection program on a computer, which tells an Arduino Nano over a simple wired serial link where to move. Two stepper motors then swing the arm and rotate the head toward your hand.

This project’s code and 3D files are available with an open source license on GitHub, with a demo video. The Arduino only reads instructions and drives the motors, so the vision runs on the computer, not on the board. The lamp is built from printed parts and aluminum extrusion bars.

Difficulty: Advanced
Designer: Harry Gao
Project pages: Hackaday.io, GitHub
Core components: Arduino Nano, two 28BYJ-48 stepper motors with ULN2003 drivers, USB camera, 10 × 10 × 200 mm aluminum extrusion, bearings

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Minecraft Lantern

(Source: iZboxo via Printables)
Light up your room, block by block (Source: iZboxo via Printables)

Bring a piece of the Overworld into your real life with this pixel-perfect replica of the Minecraft lantern. While there are many static props available, this project goes a step further by integrating an Arduino. Powered by a Wemos D1 mini and running WLED software, this lantern can be controlled via Wi-Fi, allowing you to change colors or set effects directly from your phone or Home Assistant setup.

The designer rebuilt this model from the ground up to improve tolerances, ensuring the parts fit together without breaking. The inner diffusers are printed in white to soften the glow of the NeoPixel ring inside, creating a convincing torchlight effect.

Best of all, the software side is surprisingly easy; the creator provides a web-based installer for WLED, so you don’t need to write a single line of code to get it running. It’s a fantastic weekend project for gamers who want to add some interactive flair to their setup.

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Designer: iZboxo
  • Project page: Printables
  • Core components: Wemos D1 mini (ESP8266), LED ring or strip, wires

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Mood Lamp

(Source: BreaksnMakes via Instructables)
Set the mood with mesmerizing colors (Source: BreaksnMakes via Instructables)

Lighting can completely change the feel of a room, and this 3D printed mood lamp is designed to do just that with style. Unlike standard lamps that use a single bulb, this project wraps a 2-meter strip of WS2812B LEDs around a central column, creating a seamless, spiraling tower of light. The outer shell is printed in a transparent or white filament to diffuse the individual LEDs into a soft, glowing gradient.

What makes this project special is its “standalone” nature. It doesn’t rely on an app or Wi-Fi; instead, it features a neatly integrated tactile button in the base. A simple press cycles through various pre-programmed lighting effects, from calming color shifts to energetic patterns.

The build is well documented for beginners, using an Arduino Nano to drive the logic and a DC-DC converter to handle power safely. The creator even included an optional cooling fan in the design, just in case you want to run those LEDs at full brightness for hours on end.

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Dino Night Light

These 3D printed dinosaurs go
These 3D printed dinosaurs go "Rawr!" (Source: renevandeneertwegh via Thingiverse)

Not all knowledge needs to be used for grown-up things. You can also have pretty awesome dinosaur lights controlled by an Arduino that can shine in different colors. This project is a perfect excuse to introduce your kid to your workshop.

These lights aren’t super hard to do, making it a great project to show off your beginner Arduino skills. You won’t need much, only the Arduino Nano, the 3D printed parts, and the LEDs, as well as a cover, like an acetate sheet. In addition to the STLs, the creator also provided the code files in the project’s download section.

Featured image of Dinosaur 3D Print: The Best Models
Ready for Your Own Park?
Dinosaur 3D Print: The Best Models

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Cool Machines

In this next category, we’ll bring you some projects that can solve some niche issues (if you can consider them that). Whether super useful or not, they’re cool nonetheless. After all, maker projects should be fun as well as functional!

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Uncooperative Mirror

Image of: Uncooperative Mirror
The Uncooperative Mirror breaks up a viewer’s reflection as its servo-driven tiles shift out of line (Source: Danicakostic17 via Instructables)

This tiled mirror refuses to be looked at. An ultrasonic sensor and an Arduino Uno set small servos going the moment someone approaches, and the mirror tiles shake so the reflection breaks up. The builder calls it an interactive “useless machine” that does the opposite of what a mirror should.

The frame behind the mirror and the belts that hitch up the servos are all printable, and documented the build on Instructables. It is an art piece and a prank in one, and a good first build for sensors and servos.

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Rotating Display Table

Spin the table!
Spin the table! (Source: AxionTheHusky via Thngiverse)

This motorized turntable can be useful for a variety of things. In particular, it helps you with your shots if you’re a photographer or a videographer, but it can also be used for 3D scanning. In fact, turntables can be life-changing when you’re using a 3D scanner because they allow you to be more precise and constant in the scanning process.

The design is simple and uses only four 3D-printed parts, all in PLA. You can use a low infill, such as 10%, and no supports are needed. Assembly is easy: all the components fit inside the base. You’ll need an Arduino (the creator opted for a Nano) and a stepper motor that will rotate the base, thanks to the gear that will attach to it.

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Designer: Basement_Creations
  • Project page: Thingiverse
  • Core components: Arduino Nano, stepper motor, stepper motor driver, power supply

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MIDI Controller

Black on black!
Black on black! (Source: Leandro Linares)

This one’s for music lovers: You can build your own MIDI controller with an Arduino and arcade-style buttons!

For those who aren’t familiar with the term, MIDI connects instruments, phones or computers. You can then trigger or control sounds via your computer or smartphone to make music. The difference between a traditional electronic instrument and a MIDI instrument is that MIDI controllers can control sounds on your computer, but they don’t generate any sound by themselves.

Since this one is a 4×4 button controller, you don’t even need to learn how to play any instrument in order to play it. Use it to make beats or control various software synthesizers. It’s a super fun project that’s not that complicated to put together. Definitely consider giving it a shot if you like making music!

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High-Speed Pen Plotter

It draws better than me!
It draws better than me! (Source: IV Projects via YouTube)

If you’re not very good at drawing but love art, you can still create drawings with this cool project. A pen plotter is a type of drawing machine that uses pens or markers to create intricate designs on paper and other materials.

This pen plotter model uses a grit roller system to move the sheet along the Y-axis, a mechanism common in vintage machines that enables high speeds. It’s fascinating to watch in action.

On the software side, the project creator mentioned they used Inkscape to generate G-code from a vector image. This G-code is then sent to the Arduino running on GRBL.

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Toys

And if you thought that the previous projects were fun, these offer even more entertainment!

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Bluetooth Nerf Turret 

Bring this to work and have a friendly Nerf war with your co-workers!
Bring this to work and have a friendly Nerf war with your co-workers! (Source: Little French Kev)

In this project, you’ll find out how to make a 3D printed Bluetooth-controlled turret that can shoot Nerf darts. The turret moves via two servo motors, and the shooting mechanism comprises two DC motors that drive the rollers to launch the dart. To control the turret, you can either use the PC software or the mobile (Android) app.

The site includes everything you’ll need to make the turret, including the software. While the creator states that it’s not an especially complex project, given the variety of parts and connections required, some background knowledge may be beneficial.

Either way, it’s a fun weekend project for beginners looking to level up or for those looking to build together with their kids and share their knowledge.

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Animatronic Eyes

Rather spooky, isn't it?
Rather spooky, isn't it? (Source: Will Cogley via Nilheim Mechatronics)

Want to get started with robotics? You definitely can’t say no to these googly eyes that you can control with your Arduino! This simple 3D printed animatronic eye mechanism is an example of how you can do some very cool stuff with a few components.

The project may look a little intimidating, but it’s basically just printing the files provided and assembling all the components. The movements of the eyeballs are controlled by six servos, driven by a 16-channel servo driver (an 8-channel servo driver would work as well).

The author provides a thorough, step-by-step walkthrough of the assembly process, along with mechanical diagrams, a circuit schematic, and example code, all available on the website.

All in all, this is a pretty fun project that can also double as a spooky Halloween decor!

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Drone

Make it fly!
Make it fly! (Source: Pro Know via YouTube)

Drones have revolutionized the way we capture aerial footage for cinematography and photography. They’re used across many industries, including real estate, tourism, and filmmaking. If you want to enter this tech world, you’re in the right place: with a bit of filament and an Arduino Uno, you’ll be ready to go.

The creator provides the 3D parts, the Gerber files, and the schematics on Cults for around $6. They have also created detailed videos about the project, one regarding the electronics and the other on the design. Since this drone will fly outdoors, it’s best to choose PETG over PLA.

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Designer: ProKnow
  • Project page: Cults
  • Core components: Arduino Uno, PCB, brushless motor, LiPo battery, propeller, transmitter, and receiver

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Animatronic Face with Eyes

Image of: Animatronic Face with Eyes
Halloween prop? Robot head? Slightly disturbing office decoration? That's your decision (Source: Maker101 via Arduino Project Hub) Maker101io Via Arduino Project Hub

Walk past this printed face and it wakes up. A PIR motion sensor triggers the sequence: the eyelids open, an MP3 module plays a pre-recorded voice clip, and five MG90S servos sweep the eyes through a fixed series of positions. It is scripted rather than smart, but the effect is eerie.

Maker 101’s animatronic face combines an Arduino Nano, five MG90S servos, a PIR motion sensor, and a small MP3 player. Printed eyeballs, eyelids, universal joints, bars, and holders transform those components into a face capable of looking around, blinking, and playing sounds when movement is detected.

Using an Arduino Nano, the Arduino Project Hub tutorial provides the source code and downloadable STL files directly on the build page, including the eye holder, eyelids, eyeballs, face, joints, bars, and rear housing.

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Designer: Maker101io
  • Project pages: Arduino Project Hub
  • Core components: Arduino Nano, five MG90S servos, HC-SR505 PIR sensor, Mini MP3 Player module

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Clocks

There are many ways to visualize the current time, and the maker community has naturally explored them. Let’s dive into a few creative Arduino-based clocks you’ve probably never seen before.

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Analog Digital Clock

(Source: ihart via Instructables)
Using 24 clocks to display time (Source: ihart via Instructables)

This is one of the most mesmerizing clock projects you will ever see. Inspired by the high-end ClockClock 24 art piece, this build uses 24 individual analog clock faces to display the time digitally. The hands of the clocks rotate not just to tell time in the traditional sense, but to form the shapes of digital numbers across the array.

We won’t lie to you, it’s a massive undertaking. The project involves printing 24 custom clock modules, each driven by its own Arduino Nano and stepper motors, all coordinated by a master Arduino. The creator, ihart, calls it a “reincarnated” project, having rebuilt the documentation after it was lost—and the result is an incredibly detailed guide. You’ll learn everything from custom PCB assembly (essential for managing 48 motors!) to master-slave I2C communication.

While the bill of materials is higher than average (around $500) and the print time is measured in weeks, the result is a museum-quality kinetic sculpture that you built yourself.

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Designer: ihart
  • Project page: Instructables
  • Core components: 25x Arduino Nanos, 48x stepper motors (28BYJ-48), custom PCBs

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The Best Arduino 3D Print Projects

Hollow Clock

Is it defying gravity?
Is it defying gravity? (Source: jos129 via Instructables)

This unusual design has become a classic for a good reason: it seems magical. The lancets of this hollow clock appear to be floating in the air. If you love this project, good news: you can build one with your 3D printer and an Arduino Nano!

An Arduino Nano drives a mechanism moved by a stepper motor and magnets, and the mechanism is enclosed in 3D-printed parts. The wiring isn’t complicated, but it’s a bit tricky to route everything in the case, so be careful when doing so. And as for coding, you don’t need to worry about writing it if it isn’t your strongest suit, as the code is precompiled.

On the other hand, for skills that’ll come in handy for setting everything up, you’ll need to solder and assemble the components.

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The Best Arduino 3D Print Projects

Kinetic Digital Clock

The Kinetic Digital Clock is a very creative way to tell the time
The Kinetic Digital Clock is a very creative way to tell the time (Source: alstroemeria via Instructables)

This project combines the analog and digital worlds. The Kinetic Digital Clock uses a seven-segment display, but with moving segments instead of LEDs or electronic displays to accurately tell time.

You might already have come across this concept online, but Instructables user alstroemeria has perfected it. The project uses an Arduino Mega as the control brain and a sensor shield to control all 30 servos that move the segments.

It’s undoubtedly a challenging project, but it’s definitely worth the time and effort.

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