There is a makerspace that recently opened up in my area, and they have 3d printers. One of the libraries in my library system also has one. I've been toying with the idea of what to make - so many possibilities. These movable eyes give me a lot of ideas, too...

I joined my local Makerspace and think it's a cool creative outlet for anyone wanting to network with other creative people. I did use the 3D printer to print out a set of movable eyes but need to play around with the printer more. I would love to own a 3D printer!

The Toronto Public Library has been investing in digital design labs, which are pretty cool. For anyone who lives in the city (you have to be a resident with a local library card to use the labs), they have 3D scanners, 3D printers, self publishing kiosks and lots of other stuff available at very cheap rates. For example, 3D printing is just $0.05 per minute + a fee of a couple dollars). They are basically offering everything at cost, so it's pretty fantastic for anyone who doesn't have equipment at work or at home. The labs were supposedly put together with help from a local Makerspace.

Are any other libraries doing this? It seems like such a great idea.

Tioh,

I downloaded several of your wonderful 3D eye designs but have only printed out one so  far. When I opened one design up to preview it before sending it to the MakerBot printer I noticed that one of the parts was smaller than the other part. Being that I'm new to 3D printing, how much should I enlarge the part? Also, what kind of 3D printer do you own and what type of plastic did you use? At the Makerspace the person helping me told me about two different types. I guess, I would like your suggestions what type I should use.

I don't know if the file was meant to be that way or something happen when I downloaded it or zipped the file.

This is a photo of the file I am speaking about, thanks for any suggestion or help!

I downloaded several of your wonderful 3D eye designs but have only printed out one so  far. When I opened one design up to preview it before sending it to the MakerBot printer I noticed that one of the parts was smaller than the other part.

Sorry, I guess I forgot to scale those model for puppet size. I often print them in different sizes for other projects.

Being that I'm new to 3D printing, how much should I enlarge the part? Also, what kind of 3D printer do you own and what type of plastic did you use? At the Makerspace the person helping me told me about two different types. I guess, I would like your suggestions what type I should use.

I use a Makerbot 1 Dual clone with the MakerwareDesktop software. All the models that were uploaded to Thingiverse were printed in PLA at 0.2mm layer hight, extruder temperature 215°C, printbed at 60°C, secondary fan pointing at the extruded material (to cool it faster and allow steeper overhangs without warping).

For the 4cm ping ping ball the base-plate (PUPPETEYELID1_clip_bp_pingpongballholder.stl) should be 120.4x54.97x11.01mm
The lever (PUPPETEYELID1_pingpongballholder_outherlever.stl) should be 58.63x1.38x37.5mm (you might want to make it a little bigger if you are using superglue to attach it - 0.3mm bigger should be enough).

I only use the base-plate when I build a foam puppet-head around it - it's not really made for a 3d-printed head (I installed it in two 3d-printed heads and I had to trimm it a lot).
The base plate will not fit in the cat or fox head - because the eye-distance is different.

The model are all made to be printed without support-material - if you print in PLA and have a fan under the extruder to cool the material after extrusion. If your printer does not have a fan under the extruder you might have to print it with support. I have to tried to print it in ABS yet, but that should work too. I printed some levers in nylon - those are much tougher whan PLA or ABS.

Tioh,
Thanks for your quick reply to my questions because I will be visiting my local Makerspace this week and passing the info on to someone who will understand it better

Here's what I did have a chance to print out from the MakerBot printer on my last visit, it's one of your 3D ping pong eyelid designs. Since I'm new to 3D printing I can't remember which plastic was used but I plan on taking a 3D printing course at Makerspace this month.

Again, thanks for sharing your talents and amazing creations with us!

- Will

Tioh,

I will be using your 3D eyelids in my foam puppet head and once I complete it I will be sure to upload some photos!

I made a model for the lower jaw of the cat puppet-head - you can get it on Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:592663

This head was printed in Nylon - sized for a costume.

"Follow me"-eyes:

Those eyes are made for the fursuit-sized head-base version 15 (scaled for a 21.5cm wide head) - the model has to be scaled down to fit into the puppet sized head. They will not fit in the other heads.
The holes in the eyes are recessed. This creates an optical illusion for the viewers so that the costume is "looking" at you no matter what angle you are viewing at. This type of eye is not made for close-ups - it looks best from a meter or two distance.

Even without the eyes in the head I can see how the optical illusion works.  Kind of cool!

A new model is on Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:650760

It is sized for a costume-head, you may have to scale it down if you want to build a smaller hand-puppet.
The model for the lower jaw is included. I printed the three parts in Taulman Nylon 618 - it is really durable.
I can compress the head to half the size and it goes back to the original form. Cannot be crushed or ripped apart.