TESSERA FLEX - Flexi Chainmail Construction Panels

TESSERA FLEX is a new kind of construction toy that combines flexi chainmail panels with snap connectors. Build endless shapes such as bowls, balls, tubes or bags. The only limit is your own imagination.

The Tessera system consists of two types of panels. A-type is the basic building block that let's you build almost anything. For example, the small ball shown uses 8pcs of A-type panels and the large one 20pcs. Sometimes you can run into situations where more versatility is needed and for that I recommend printing some B-type panels as well.

Print preparations:

Different profiles are provided to quickly print different amounts of panels. I recommend you start by printing just one panel from the “Single”-profile to verify that your bed adhesion and filament is suitable for this model. Due to the complexity of the model MakerWorld limits how many panels can be in one plate on a profile. You can print even more at a time by increasing the number in Bambu Studio.

Filament: The model is tested to work well with PLA Basic. PETG should also be suitable, but be sure to dry it well to avoid stringing.

Bed adhesion: Bed adhesion is critical for this print. I use Cool plate SuperTack for PLA and PETG without issues and suggest you do too. If using PEI plates, prepare better than ever: clean with detergent and brush, use brush also when rinsing well, careful use of adhesives etc. Monitor the print and try again if at first you don't succeed. You and your printer can do it!

Removal: Detach the finished print carefully.

Support: Remove the support material from the clasps. Check and clean the inside surface of the clasps.

Break-in: The links should move freely without any break in. If needed, loosen them up by moving adjacent pieces back and forth few at a time. Don't twist and bend the whole thing yet to avoid causing excess stress. Once all the links are loosened up and wiggle around freely it is quite flexible and the stresses distribute evenly among the links.

Notes:

This model is based on my previous bracelet design but it is scaled up a bit for printability and as such is not compatible with the bracelet system.

Please note that the panels consist of tiny segments that if broken pose a choking hazard. Please supervise children  and aid them in their play with Tessera.

If you have issues, please leave a comment or message me and I'll help. Please leave a rating and consider leaving a boost after successful printing. Thank you!

Change notes:

8.6.2026: RevB. Added missing scaling to some profiles! Apologies to those two people who already downloaded!

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