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How I designed the "Mushroom Clicker"?Hi guys! Recently, I uploaded a series of “Clicker” models, and I am thrilled to see so many people downloading and giving them high ratings. Thank you all so much for your incredible support! Today, I wanted to share an article explaining how I designed the Mushroom Clicker.The Spark of an IdeaI actually got the idea while designing my “Retractable Ballpoint Pen - G2 Refill.” I realized that a 3D-printed retractable mechanism could serve as the core functional part of a clicker toy. This is quite different from most common clicker toys on the market, which typically rely on mechanical keyboard switches. Intrigued by the concept, I set out to design something unique.Why a Mushroom?Mushrooms have always been a favorite design theme of mine—as you might have noticed from my previous models, like the Mushroom Lamp, Mushroom House Lamp, Mushroom Bottle, Cozy Christmas Mushroom House Lamp, Mushroom Jar, and Mushroom Lamp A&B for LED 001 Kit, etc. Naturally, I decided to tackle a mushroom clicker first.Designing for "No Supports" (Exterior)A mushroom’s cap usually features a rounded edge. However, to avoid the need for print supports, I chose not to make the cross-section perfectly round. Instead, I designed it with a specific sloping angle right from the start, as shown in the image below.While the shape on the right can be successfully printed without supports, it often yields poor results in the first few layers, if your printer's cooling isn't powerful enough. Because of this, sticking to the geometry on the left is always my preferred choice.Optimizing the Interior GeometryI applied this same "no support" philosophy to the inside of the mushroom cap. As you can see in the image below, the internal shape uses a series of flat, sloping lines rather than a direct offset of the curved outer surface. This gradual, angular transition allows the printer to span the curved ceiling cleanly without any drooping or support material.Remarkably, even though the slope angle at the very top drops to just 18 degrees, it prints flawlessly. Keep in mind that the ideal angle for support-free printing isn't a fixed number. It depends heavily on your printer's capabilities, your specific filament, and your cooling settings. The key is to keep testing and modifying your design until it works perfectly.Solving the Assembly ChallengeConnecting the mushroom cap, gills, and stem presented a unique challenge. Initially, I planned to use a threaded structure to screw all the parts together. However, I quickly realized that because people actively fidget with clicker toys, a threaded connection would easily unscrew and come apart during use.To fix this, I modified the connection structure to a snap-fit design, as you can see in the image below. Additionally, because the snap-fit slot is hidden inside the cap and cannot be seen during assembly, I added a guide bar to the gills section. This bar not only helps align the parts perfectly but also doubles as a structural stiffener.Customized Installation ToolsTo make assembling the snap-fit parts easier, I designed a specialized installation tool. The zigzag shape on the outer ring of this tool perfectly matches the zigzag shape on the mushroom stem. This ensures that if you use a hammer to knock the stem into position, the impact won't damage the zigzag shape. I have tested this assembly method nearly a hundred times, and not a single component has been damaged by a hammer strike. This is the story behind the design of the Mushroom Clicker! If you would like to read more of my design stories and behind-the-scenes insights, please let me know in the comments. Check out my other articles here:How I Made the Assembly GuideHow I Designed the CyberBrick 4WD CarHow to design screw hole for a CyberBrick Project How to design a Wind-Up model with a model tool
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