Print-in-place models are fun and unique 3D prints because they use various hinges, links, and joints to create moving parts that are all printed in one go.
Many print-in-place models can achieve an impressive amount of detail and still maintain a high degree of mobility. With this style, you can even print models that unfold to be larger than the size of your build plate!
We’ve gathered a list of some of the best print-in-place models available to download for free, so read on and take your pick! We always encourage our readers to get out there and print, but if you want to outsource any potential stress from 3D printing, try Craftcloud by All3DP. With a variety of materials, manufacturers, and technologies, the print-in-place model of your dreams will be delivered to your doorstep.
But before we get to the models, we’ll give you some tips for 3D printing print-in-place models successfully. Let’s dive in!
Tips for Printing
Not surprisingly, a model with moving pieces can be a bit more challenging than printing a static part. You’ll need to pay greater attention to the particulars when preparing to print. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Printer nozzle: Make sure you’re fully aware of your printer’s specifications. Your nozzle size should correspond to the detail you need in the part’s hinges.
- Model scale: While it’s great to shrink models for a test print or just to have a mini version, it’s essential that you don’t make the model too small, or the parts might get stuck together.
- Supports: You should also check where your slicer puts support material, as you don’t want to accidentally block a model’s joints with support structures.
- Temperature: Pay attention to the temperature of your extruder. If you heat it too much, your printer might struggle with overhangs and links.
And now, let’s get to the fun stuff, the models!
Animals
Add a little more life to your biologically inspired prints with some moving parts. Here are some of the coolest animal-themed print-in-place designs, with a generous definition of “animal” to include those past, present, and imaginary!
Articulated Onix
Starting in the realm of fictional animals, everyone’s favorite giant rock snake is here! For Pokémon fans, this is a must. The massive articulated Onix will fill up most build plates with its bulk, so make sure you have a printer that can handle it. Like many articulated models, resizing is possible but not recommended.
Full disclosure: the horn is separate from the head, so there’s some assembly required, but not much. For printing, you may want to drop the body below the plate about 0.3 mm, as the artist’s signature on the bottom of the model can cause adhesion issues, according to some comments.
- Who designed it? Body-3D
- How printable/popular is it? This Pokémon print has 95 makes on Thingiverse, and there’s a hilarious remix featuring The Rock!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Octopus
Get a handful of these adorable aquatic animals! You’ll be amazed by the legs on this little octopus. It has an incredible amount of flexibility for something printed in rigid filament.
However, be careful with the scaling. Due to the small joints on the tentacles, we don’t recommend printing at less than 50% of the model’s original size.
- Who designed it? McGybeer
- How printable/popular is it? This object has been printed by more than 2,800 users! Some people have had trouble with the legs detaching mid-print, especially on scaled-down versions. This could be fixed by adding some kind of adhesive to the bed.
- Where to find it? Cults, MyMiniFactory, Printables, Thingiverse
Lizard
This is another fantastic model by the same designer as above. The rounded joints of this lizard allow its body and legs to simulate crawling. Soon, you’ll have these creatures climbing all over your walls.
- Who designed it? McGybeer
- How printable/popular is it? Over 1,200 users have printed these lizards. Most prints seem successful, including the scaled-down ones (80%) and the larger versions. However, be mindful of the small toes, as they should be printed slowly.
- Where to find it? Cults, MyMiniFactory, Printables, Thingiverse
Articulated Snake
While encounters with snakes are typically undesirable in the outside world, this little print is surprisingly popular in plastic form. With beautiful rainbow and silk variants, the articulated snake makes for the perfect print and color showcase.
The forgiving tolerances and relatively small surface area make it printable on most, if not all, printers.
- Who designed it? TechnicaL
- How printable/popular is it? This friendly animal has more than 6,900 downloads and 118 makes. Be careful with the scaling, as it might affect the joints.
- Where to find it? Printables
Raptor
This awesome dinosaur is sure to please any Cretaceous enthusiast. Not only can it move in a range of ways, but its clawed arms also allow it to hang on to the edges of objects. Now you can have little raptors crawling all over your office! We challenge you to print a whole family.
- Who designed it? Cavedog
- How printable/popular is it? Over 400 users have shared their prints of these designs combined from all websites. Some commented that their printers were having a hard time with the tail, although this was fixed by slowing down print speeds.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Printables, Thingiverse
Animal Collection
This item is unique on our list as it isn’t just a single model, but rather a collection of commonly designed animals. Characterized by two black dot eyes and square faces, you can tell the dog, sheep, and others are also a part of the same “family”. After you’ve printed all of these little creatures, you’ll have a whole barnyard!
- Who designed it? Katherine_Marguerite
- How printable/popular is it? Most of the models in the collection have been downloaded over 650 times, but so far we haven’t seen any makers posting their bunnies or other barnyard critters. The designs seem pretty straightforward, though, so don’t worry about being the first!
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Fidgets & Toys
The moveable parts of print-in-place models make the perfect fidget toys! Whether you’re waiting for a website to load or simply need something to keep your hands busy while binging Netflix, these little toys are sure to keep you occupied.
Spin Cube
3D printing and fidget toys are the perfect match, and this is a perfect case: a print-in-place cube that spins on one axis. It’s very satisfying to see and can subvert the expectations of friends and family who only see a cube until they’re spinning it.
The Spin Cube’s small size makes it a great test print for your print-in-place settings, and because it uses very little filament, you could print many cubes out in your favorite colors. The designer recommends a slower print speed of around 25-30 mm/s to give the model a good surface finish. Be sure to read through the Thingiverse description for more recommendations on the print settings!
- Who designed it? untiedlaces
- How printable/popular is it? The Spin Cube has been downloaded over 45,000 times and 21 colorful makes have been shared so far, showing it’s a very popular fidget toy model!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Slinky
A timeless classic toy, the slinky is the perfect test for your machine. Plus, it also makes a great gift or decor item.
This particular model can also be personalized with different polygonal shapes via the parametrical OpenSCAD file. Several variants are already available for those looking for a seamless print.
- Who designed it? threonin
- How printable/popular is it? Over 6,000 people have already downloaded it, with almost 40 remixes shared. In case you’re experiencing excessive layer adhesion between the coils, a knife or a spatula will help separate them.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Fidget Cube
Watch this cube fold and unfold into infinity. Mesmerize yourself further by gluing on pictures and watching them come together and separate. You could even give these out as party treats!
- Who designed it? mathgrrl
- How printable/popular is it? 69 makers have printed this so far, but a whopping 425 have shared their remixes. Some had trouble with the hinges fusing from overhangs collapsing. Decreasing the nozzle temperature should help with the bridging.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Robotic Man
This articulated humanoid robot could be the perfect toy for a child or an adult! It resembles an action figure in movement and appearance, but with one small difference: You can print it in a single piece. Try placing him in different poses!
- Who designed it? Zippityboomba
- How popular/printable is it? This model has been viewed over 21,900 times and has over 1,500 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Micro Catapult
Next, this print-in-place design is a micro catapult that uses the resistance and flexibility of the printing material to propel objects. According to the designer, this model was inspired by a similar design from Stratasys and can throw small objects like pieces of paper or bits of plastic up to 2 meters.
The designer listed that they printed the catapult with a 0.25-mm layer height and a low infill density. They also stated that printing this catapult in ABS or PC is ideal because these materials tend to return to their original shape after being bent. For this reason, the creator of this model doesn’t recommend printing the catapult in PLA, but they mention that people have successfully done it before.
- Who designed it? LukeTansell
- How printable/popular is it? This small, print-in-place catapult has 291 recorded makes, 16 remixes, and over 308,000 downloads! With this many recorded makes, we expect that printing a successful model is very doable.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Flexible Samurai Kendobot
An amusing, adorable print that takes full advantage of print-in-place designs with articulating joints for posing the figure. This file is meant to be a very simple print, requiring no support and little tuning to get a functional figure out of your printer.
The figure is designed with multicolor printing in mind, though you do not need a multi-material system to get a good multicolor print out of this model, given that the designer made it very easy to use filament swapping. You can choose as many different colors as you want to among the model’s eight different layers to fully customize your figure!
- Who designed it? DanDerDrucker
- How printable/popular is it? This cute little samurai has been downloaded over 1,700 times already. There are currently three makes that showcase the different ways you can print this model.
- Where to find it? Cults
Gyroscope Maze
The interlocking rings in this compact toy provide endless activity for your fingers. Not only is this one of the most entertaining fidgets out there, but it’s also small enough to easily carry in your pocket or even wear around your neck!
Add this portability to the endless combinations of mazes you can make with it, and you’ve got yourself the perfect toy.
- Who designed it? JustinSDK
- How printable/popular is it? Makers printed this fidget more than 11 times, with almost 50 sharing their own take in the remixes. Some commented that their printers had problems with layers overlapping, which could be fixed by not scaling down the model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Collapsible Lightsaber
This 3D printable Star Wars lightsaber is a print-in-place toy weapon that prints in its collapsed form and can extend to over 950 mm, according to the maker. The lightsaber has an exterior modeled after Luke’s lightsaber from the movies, but its interior is a collection of concentric cylinders that can extend and collapse.
The designer states that the lightsaber design was optimized to be printed with a 0.4-mm diameter nozzle because the blade will be exactly 2-shells thick with this nozzle size. The creator of this design also mentioned that they used a 0.15-mm coast distance and a 0.3-mm wipe distance, which is especially helpful for preventing the layers from binding.
- Who designed it? 3DPrintingWorld
- How printable/popular is it? This collapsible lightsaber design has over 30 recorded makes, 8 remixes, and over 116,000 downloads!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Helicopter
This minimalistic model has a few aces up the sleeve, including the ability to be printed in one piece. It makes the perfect gift for a kid, as long as they’re old enough to be trusted with rather delicate models.
The upside-down part has all the angles and overhangs designed within a printer’s limits. No supports are required when printing it in the inverted position, which saves filament and time.
- Who designed it? WhopperPrinting
- How printable/popular is it? There are over 700 downloads and 7 makes shared so far. The comments recommend using a raft to ensure proper adhesion and save the propellers, as well as tuning the temperatures for the rotating joint.
- Where to find it? Printables
TARS
The beloved character from Interstellar returns to our 3D world thanks to this faithful replica. Designed with four main sections, it can rotate freely with a range of movement similar to the movie.
The model is easy to print (no supports, possibly a brim to ensure a good bottom quality). Some panels (printed separately in different colors) can be added by gluing them to the main body. A second version can be printed with dual colors to make the text pop out.
- Who designed it? Delphant
- How printable/popular is it? So far, 16 makes have been shared and the model has been downloaded over 900 times; the comments and makes describe it as an awesome model.
- Where to find it? Printables
Geared Maker Coin
Maker Coins are a take on the old military tradition of challenge coins, where members of a squad or branch would show the coin as proof of membership when “challenged” or told to identify themselves. This one shows that you’re a member of the global maker community – and it spins!
The author recommends printing at a 0.35-mm layer height to start with, or 0.2 mm if you have a well-tuned printer. You can go as low as 15% infill, though it’s recommended to have at least 20% to prevent brittleness.
- Who designed it? Ryan1705
- How printable/popular is it? This coin has over 20,000 views and has been added to 26 collections on MyMiniFactory.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Handcuffs
Ever wished to stop someone from continuously touching your printer? Then this pair of handcuffs is just what you need. They’re a functional print with a locking mechanism and key included. It’s a neat and funny concept to gift as a present, especially for kids who want to play Cops & Robbers or who may want to keep younger siblings from getting to their stuff.
The author suggests using a 0.15-mm layer height and the snug style supports in PrusaSlicer (they will be easily broken when inserting the key the first time). The post-processing might require some silicon grease and sanding on the mechanisms for the handcuffs to unlock smoothly.
- Who designed it? Maciek
- How printable/popular is it? With more than 1,100 downloads and 4 makes, some users report troubles when it comes to removing the supports. According to the designer, even if some support remains afterward, the lock will work fine.
- Where to find it? Printables
Gear Bearing
This little set of rotating gears is another perfect portable fidget. The smooth-spinning gears are easily tucked away and are always accessible to keep you entertained.
- Who designed it? emmett
- How popular/printable is it? Almost 1,000 people have printed this popular fidget and there are over 6,750 remixes! Some users couldn’t get the gears to “break free” from the outer ring, although this is likely only an issue for those who tried to shrink the model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Decorations & Accessories
Why settle for simply making things look nicer when you can also make them look cooler? Print-in-place models add an extra level of interactivity to your decorations and accessories.
Tensegrity
You may have seen similar designs in decorative furniture before. This Tensegrity Table uses a screw mechanism to tighten the outer chains and keep the whole table under tension. This print is a great decor piece. You can print it small and use it as a coaster or really scale it up for a miniature table (although your printer’s bed will need to be large).
The file comes with built-in support structures so you won’t have to worry about getting your supports in the right places. Many makers have noted how fragile the chains can be after printing. Be sure not to over-tighten the screw!
- Who designed it? rcmz
- How printable/popular is it? With 22,000 downloads and over 80 makes, it is safe to say that this model is very printable.
- Where to find it? Printables
Collapsible Basket
This fruit basket checks all the boxes. It’s collapsible, a great space saver, it can stay upright thanks to the bottom legs, and it’s even scalable to larger sizes to suit your needs. The same author also published a picnic variant and much more on their Thangs page.
The model is printed flat on the bed, without supports or brims. The designer has also posted a remix with separate files for the different parts so that you can print each leaf in a different color.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the dimensions are in inches and that you’ll have to scale the file up in your slicer by 2,540% to convert to metric.
- Who designed it? 3DPrintingWorld
- How printable/popular is it? With 144 makes and almost 200,000 downloads, it’s one of the most popular designs on the list.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Blooming Flower
This organic decoration will certainly be a nice addition to your home. With one twist, you can watch the flower bloom – and, with another, you can fold it back up.
- Who designed it? jhuttula
- How printable/popular is it? At least 35 people have successfully printed this flower, as per the makes shared on Printables.
- Where to find it? Pinshape, Printables
Spinning Snowflake
No matter what time of year, this little ornament is sure to brighten the room! The snowflake in the center spins inside three stars, each independent of the others. It’s a beautiful decoration for your home or a seasonal gift to give!
This snowflake can be printed without supports, although there is a small tab that will need to be cut away with an X-Acto knife before you can spin the object.
- Who designed it? Tony Goes Riding
- How printable/popular is it? This star has over 1,120 downloads and has been added to 19 collections.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Phone/Tablet Stand
This next print-in-place design comes in three sizes and is an easy print that can hold a tablet or phone to keep your hands free.
As seen in the image above, the model folds out to provide users with a convenient place for their device to sit while being compact and portable. The designer posted three different sizes for this stand, which gives you some options, depending on how big your device is.
- Who designed it? jonnig
- How printable/popular is it? This multi-purpose device stand has almost 186 recorded makes, 23 remixes, and over 225,000 downloads! So many people have successfully printed this print-in-place model, so you can too!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Mini Floor Stands
With messages such as “Out of Order”, “Don’t Touch”, “Watch for Trains”, and “Beware of the Cat”, this 136-piece collection is a must-have for any maker. No matter the intended use case, there will be a sign with a warning for it.
The signs can be printed flat on the bed and can be dual-colored thanks to a filament change mid-print.
With only two moving parts, the models can be easily scaled up to better replicate the dimensions of a real sign. The recommended settings are a layer height of 0.2 mm, with 15% infill or more, and two or more perimeters.
- Who designed it? muzz64
- How printable/popular is it? Coming in at 198 makes on Thingiverse, it’s safe to say this print is an easy yet cool way to show off your printing skills.
- Where to find it? Cults, MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse
Cable Clips
Tired of having your cables bundled together in a single, gigantic, tangled ball of confusion? Fear not, because this little latching cable clip will help you keep your wires organized.
Made out of two hinged parts, it’s easy to print without supports. The author hasn’t shared any additional settings, but it’s safe to recommend a layer height of 0.15 mm and at least 2 perimeters. For increased durability, it can be printed with 4-5 perimeters.
And if these won’t do the trick or you want some variety, there are other models worth checking out.
- Who designed it? Shobit
- How printable/popular is it? 18 makers have already printed the model successfully and have shared their creations.
- Where to find it? Printables
Iris Box
This clever container is the ideal place for storing small items. With a single twisting movement, you can open this box. Simply twist the other way to close it.
It might take a bit of work to get the mechanism moving at first, which is why you need to choose your filament carefully and keep an eye on it expanding and retracting. No one will believe it was printed as a single part!
- Who designed it? Frank26080115
- How printable/popular is it? Two makes have posted their prints, including a dazzling yellow box. Around 76 users have added it to their collections so far.
- Where to find it? Pinshape
Gear Keychain
Add some spice to your keychain with this cool little toy. It’ll keep you entertained during your morning commute or any time you’re just standing around.
- Who designed it? kasinatorhh
- How popular/printable is it? This keychain has been successfully printed at least nine times. While users seem to find it a bit tricky, using PLA and being extra careful with the temperature seems to make it work.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Wristband
This simple wearable design could be a nice accessory for a watch band or a base for another DIY project. Whatever you use it for, you can be sure you’ll get a good fit with this adjustable strap.
- Who designed it? jake8898
- How printable/popular is it? Over 1,000 people have downloaded this model, although no users have posted their makes yet.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Tools & Parts
It’s always useful to be able to print out a spare part or add to your collection of tools. Here are a few with moving parts!
Hex Bit Storage Case
Sooner or later, we all need to organize our tools. What better way than to 3D print a storage solution? This case is big enough to carry your favorite standard hex bits without the bulk of various toolboxes and store-bought sets, especially when you only need a few from each.
The author suggests printing at a 0.2-mm layer height with at least 3 walls in PETG or a similar material. No supports are needed.
Parametric Hinges
Hinges are useful, to say the least. These simple and sturdy parts go beyond just the regular fix. You can fully customize both sides of the hinge with different numbers of screw holes and multiple connections.
Just be careful, as some users have reported bonding in the joints due to the overhangs collapsing.
- Who designed it? rohingosling
- How printable/popular is it? This customizable part has 28 makes and nearly an incredible 2,000 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Clip
Ever found yourself needing a clip to close a bag of chips, or maybe a bigger one to clamp together two sheets of wood? Then look no further, as this useful model is perfectly scalable and 3D printable.
The great advantage of this design is that the pivot point isn’t jointed, so it doesn’t risk failing. For increased durability, try using a more flexible material like PETG. It also has great layer adhesion!
- Who designed it? FreshAndClean
- How printable/popular is it? 12 people have posted their makes, with the model having more than 470 downloads and counting. The creator specifies that the part doesn’t need post-processing and is ready to go off the build plate.
- Where to find it? Printables
Ratcheting Screwdriver
You can never have too many screwdrivers. This print-in-place ratcheting screwdriver is a great, simple design that offers you everything you need out of a screwdriver and nothing you don’t. The only downside to this file is that it doesn’t have a function to switch the direction of the ratchet mechanism. Instead, it has a rear socket that you can use for untightening things.
The file is designed to be printed with a 0.3-mm layer height using a 0.4-mm nozzle, making it quite a fast print. It comes with six slots that you can use to store your extra bits. You will need a 4-mm hex wrench to work the mechanisms after printing until they are moving freely.
- Who designed it? FreddyZ
- How printable/popular is it? While this file only has just over 1,060 downloads so far, 31 makes have been shared, showcasing the print in perfect condition.
- Where to find it? Printables
Pliers
Pliers are an essential part of any maker’s toolset, and this model is a print-in-place set of parallel grip pliers. The handles are symmetrical and, like scissors, have a joint a little inwards from the tip, which allows the tool to clamp down. There are also internal pins that the handles ride along.
The designer has posted a standard STL file and a version suitable for dual extrusion to achieve a multicolor part. You shouldn’t need supports to create these handy functioning pliers.
- Who designed it? dsk001
- How printable/popular is it? These pliers have over 7,500 views as well as more than 1,100 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Dial Indicator
This dial indicator can substitute a precision gauge, as long as you’re okay with printing it! The compliant mechanism moves the indicator arm proportionally to the movement of the pin. The author of the model was able to appreciate the height difference of a sheet of paper, or 0.05 mm.
While it might not be the best quantitative instrument, it’s a great tool for getting approximated qualitative measurements. The flatness of the printer’s bed, X gantry twist, and much more can be observed with this neat little device.
- Who designed it? Turbo_SunShine
- How printable/popular is it? This popular design has more than 24 makes and 17,000 downloads so far.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
NEMA17 Cycloidal Gearbox
While stepper motors are great for precise and repeatable movements, they lack rotational torque. This print-in-place gearbox should solve the problem. With a cycloidal gear assembly inside, it will increase the motor’s torque (while reducing the speed significantly). It’s purposely made for robotic arms, which need precision and strength.
While initially designed for SLS printing, this model can be printed in one piece with a traditional (albeit well-tuned) FDM printer. The model itself is fully parametric, meaning you can always tweak the tolerances if the gear is stuck in the box.
- Who designed it? RyanKelly
- How printable/popular is it? While the only print shared has been the creator’s, the design has over 625 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Wrench
Adjustable wrenches are great tools to have because they can be used to move or clamp things in a wide range of sizes. This wrench has a rotatable worm screw that moves the adjustable part of the clamp mechanism back and forth. The wrench was designed with pre-installed supports that can easily be removed after the print finishes.
On this note, due to the pre-incorporated supports, you don’t need to activate supports to print this model. The designer also stated that they printed the wrench with a 0.2-mm layer height in ABS.
- Who designed it? barspin
- How printable/popular is it? This handy tool design has 494 recorded makes, 34 remixes, and over 326,000 downloads!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Ball Bearing
For small 3D printing projects or DIY woodworking, these bearings can really improve your rotating parts. Just make sure you don’t overestimate the strength of your material!
Some users had problems with the balls bonding to the two rings, but you can usually fix this by lowering printing speeds.
- Who designed it? barspin
- How printable/popular is it? This project has been downloaded over 92,000 times, 80 users have posted their prints, and there are 6 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Soldering Assistant
Sometimes, you just don’t have enough hands! This little shop assistant will keep the ends of your wires together, and it even feeds the solder through a small hole in the center to keep everything neat and tidy. A must-have if you’re working on Arduino projects and other small electronics.
- Who designed it? vladua
- How printable/popular is it? At the time of writing, 2 makes have been shared and the design has been downloaded over 700 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Chain
Whether it’s for a functional project, decor, or cosplay, sometimes you just need a chain. This print-in-place design creates some great chains that don’t suffer from terrible print quality or an over-reliance on supports.
This model offers a lot of flexibility in terms of use. The designer includes a test print to make sure your printer can handle the chains before printing out one of the short, medium, or long section files. A connector piece is used to close the loop once you have the right length of chain you need.
Depending on intended use, especially if you’re aiming for a resilient part, you’ll need to look into different infill types and materials, but no matter what, the maker states that a brim is a must.
- Who designed it? Dave3dDesign
- How printable/popular is it? Over 800 downloads and 10 makes show that this chain has some potential, especially when it comes to addressing different needs!
- Where to find it? Printables
License: The text of "The 40 Best Print-in-Place 3D Models to 3D Print" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.