Designed by VMP 2025
Hello everyone! With the Lunar New Year approaching, I felt inspired to create something special to celebrate the festival. I wanted a piece that serves both as a decorative item and an interactive element. Automata have always fascinated me since I took up 3D printing as a hobby. However, designing one has never been an easy task for me. Now, in my fourth year of 3D printing and learning Fusion 360 in my spare time, I decided to put my skills to the test.
Introducing the Year of the Snake Automaton! Let me share some of my design ideas and walk you through the build process.
Slot the cloud shaped piece into the longer bar. Then, attach the C-clip to secure the cloud shaped piece in place. This piece should spin freely. It will act as the handle for this design.
The Ruyi is a Chinese scepter that is shaped with a handle and a head that is typically shaped like a cloud or a mushroom. This decorative object symbolises good fortune. The word 如意 is literally translated as “as you wish”. I thought this is a very suitable element to incorporate in my design.
The snake is designed to print in place and requires no assembly except for the guide dowels. These dowels are designed to fit in tight to prevent them from dropping out during motion. I suggest using a plier to slowly wiggle them into the slot. Be careful, using too much force may break the dowel in the slot.
3. The Base 盘
The base serves as the heart of the design, housing all the gears and mechanisms that make the magic happen. I was first introduced to this concept through the iconic Dancing Polar Bear by JKHE and was captivated by the ingenious way the motion transfers from one gear to the next.
The sides of the base feature an embossed traditional Chinese pattern that symbolizes both a snake and the infinity symbol. In Chinese culture, the color yellow represents royalty, prosperity, and power, making it a perfect choice for this piece.
The guide moves along the path in a mesmerizing figure-8 pattern. Before placing the guide (red) into the slot, ensure it is properly aligned with the two main gears in the center, as illustrated in the diagram above.
5. Number 8 發(八)
Attach the large red cover along with the two smaller covers next. With this step, the automaton is nearly complete!
In Chinese culture, the word for "get lucky" (發, fa) sounds very similar to the number 8 (ba), making 8 a symbol of good fortune. As a result, many Chinese people cherish having the number 8 in their lives, whether it's in their apartment number, mobile number, or car license plate! Inspired by this, I thought it would be fitting for the snake to trace the shape of the number 8 as it slithers around.
I chose the Octagram Spiral as the base layer to mimic the look of traditional Chinese folding paper designs. If you have the Bambu Labs Effects Sheets, now would be the perfect opportunity to use them for this print!
Attach the Ruyi onto the yellow drive shaft. It should fit snugly.
6. Accessories attachment 点缀安装
The final step should be self-explanatory! Add the accessories and start spinning!
These accessories are the Chinese Ingot and Ancient Chinese Coins. In Chinese. We have a saying “May fortune be rolling in for you” 祝你财源滚滚. The spinning action can also be associated with “Changing the luck for the better” 转好运! All in all, an auspicious item to have to channel in all the luck and prosperity! Huat ah!
Note: When attaching the snake's head to the guide, make sure to slot all the dowels on the snake into the track first.
7. Conclusion
This project has taken far more time than I initially anticipated. I’ve printed countless parts during troubleshooting and poured everything I’ve learned about 3D printing and design into it. Despite the challenges, I’m proud to share this file with you.
As you know, this file is completely free, and I’m not aiming to profit from it—so any support from you truly means a lot to me.
Looking at the other incredible submissions for the Bambu Labs Chinese New Year Contest, I recognize that my limited knowledge and skills might not measure up. Still, I remain hopeful! Regardless of the outcome, I hope this model brings you joy and good fortune!
Boost Me (for free)
As you know, this file is completely free, and I’m not aiming to profit from it—so any support from you truly means a lot to me. You get your boost tokens for free and doesn't cost you to boost me. But your action might help propel me to create even better designs for you in the future! Thank you!
VMP
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
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