Jellyfish Swimming - Mechanical Interactive Art

Model revisited in 2026:

• new universal print profile
• simplified instructions
• improved gear identification

Have this mesmerizing print as a novelty decoration and a conversation piece. No glue or extra parts needed.

Printing Instructions

This model is organized into 5 print plates to simplify printing, color planning and assembly.

Using the provided print profile is recommended. All settings, brims and orientations are already optimized to keep parts stable and ensure a clean result.

If printing manually, most parts work well with:

• 0.2 mm layer height
• 3 walls
• Lightning infill
• No supports

The dome and base print better using ~5% gyroid infill, which improves structural stability.
The dome was designed to bridge cleanly and prints without supports.

Tentacles can optionally be printed in vase/spiral mode if you want to minimize visible seam lines.

Print Plates Overview

• Plate 1 — Base Structure
  Base shell, lid and crank housing. Using a contrasting color helps visually separate the base from the jelly.
• Plate 2 — Base Drive System
  Internal gears and mechanical components inside the base. Light colors can improve brightness when using a translucent base.
• Plate 3 — Jelly Body
  Dome, tentacle mounts and visible jelly parts. Translucent or silk filaments create the best underwater effect.
• Plate 4 — Jelly Gear Core
  Internal motion gears inside the jelly mechanism. Light colors can improve brightness when using a translucent jelly.
• Plate 5 — Central Column
  Connects the jelly to the base. Transparent filament creates the best floating effect.

Assembly

Important Notes

The jelly mechanism uses two types of gears and tentacles.

See the diagram below for a visual guide.

• 4 Internal parts (I)
• 8 External parts (O)

Each gear and tentacle is marked with I or O for easy identification.

Gears only fit correctly in their intended position:

• Internal gears (I) go on the inner ring
• External gears (O) go on the outer ring

Tentacles can technically fit in any slot, but the intended visual effect is achieved using:

• 4 internal tentacles (I)
• 8 external tentacles (O)

Description

Jellyfish Swimming, a mechanical interactive art for the "Mechanical Marvels" contest.
Have this mesmerizing print on your desk or in your living room as a novelty decoration and a conversation piece.

No glue or extra parts needed, just print and play.

Check the SpongeBob Jellyfish MOD

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