Mô hình xích 100+ mắt xích (100+ link chain)

I've been wanting to experiment with OpenSCAD. It's a free CAD program that allows you to design objects with code rather than our normal point and click user interfaces. https://openscad.org/

I also thought this would be a good opportunity to use Claude.ai to code in scad. The result was about 65 lines of code to build this model - a chain of 10 rows of 10 links connected on alternating ends for a total of 109 links.

I've included the scad file for anyone that would like to experiment. Each chain link cross section is octagonal and rotated 45 degrees to the print bed so every link has a flat side facing the bed. You will still need to print with supports because the small links have a very small contact area with the bed.

If you would like a different number of links, it will be pretty easy to install OpenSCAD, open the attached scad file, and modify the num_links and num_rows variables in the beginning of the program. Note that these dimensions are to the center line of the link profile. There is another variable, wire_dia, that controls the diameter of the link profile.

I've included 2 gcode files: the first has rectangular supports and the second has organic supports. Organic supports reduced print time from 4 to 3.3 hours and reduced waste. The organic supports were also much easier to pull from the chain!!!