Articulated Baby Turtle & Tortoise Toys

These tiny shelled buddies are part of my “Tiny Critters” collection and are designed to match my axolotl and leopard gecko models.

The tortoise and turtle share the same body but have different legs. The turtle flippers swing open and fold (the model has 10 joints). The tortoise legs do not have such movement (the model has 6 joints).

There are 3 colour options for the turtle; a single colour, 4 colours, and 6 colours. The tortoise has a single colour and 4 colour options.

Check out how this model was made and see it in motion in the video (model movement is shown at 12:05. Please note that the tail design is now shorter than what is shown in the video.)

https://youtu.be/BLY5CEFVBaU (see video in the images section)

My examples are printed using a BambuLab X1C, using a supertack cool plate, in a wide range of PLA filaments. You may have to adjust the Bambu Studio 3MF depending on your machine, as it is optimised for multicolour printing on the X1C.
Also included is an additional 3mf for the Ender 3, and raw STLS, if the Bambu Studio 3mf does not work in your slicer.

--Printing Recommendations--
Please note that the size provided in the STLs is the same size used in the 3MFs, which is the smallest size you can safely print this model at. If in doubt if your machine can print this small, scale the model up a bit.

--COMMERCIAL USE--
This file covers personal, non-commercial use; do not share or redistribute. Do not sell the files or prints of the files. Remixing is not allowed. Do not remove the creator stamp from the base.

If you want to sell prints of this model, please visit my Patreon to learn how to obtain a Commercial License: https://www.patreon.com/thomastedwards

---FAQ---

Please see the questions below before asking any in the comments; your answer may be here already.

--I want to sell prints of this model. Is this allowed?--
Not without paying for the right to do so. The fee on this model is for private printing use. If you wish to sell prints of this model, you must subscribe to the “Commercial License" tier of my Patreon and can only sell prints for the period you subscribe for. The other tiers do not cover commercial use: https://www.patreon.com/thomastedwards/membership

--I want to remix this model. Is this allowed?--
You can only remix this model for private use. You cannot upload your remix or any model you have made that uses any of this model's parts.

--How long does it take to print this model?--
This depends on 3 things; your printer's speed, the model's size, and if you're printing everything on one plate or as loose parts.
My examples were printed on a BambuLab X1C. This model is designed to be printed in place on a single plate.

The single colour turtle and tortoise take 40 minutes each.
The 4 colour turtle and tortoise take 4 hours each. You can print up to 3 of the same design at the same time for a total of 5 hours.
The 6 colour turtle takes 5 hours.

--How large is this model?--
The size of the model depends on whether you upscale or shrink the provided model. If you print them as provided, measuring from the flippers unfolded it is 7.5cm wide and roughly 7cm long.

--What materials/colours are used in your examples?--
I used filament from BambuLab. All of the turtles are PLA matte, the tortoise is PETG HF.

--Will it fit on my printer?--
This depends on 2 things; how large your printer is, and if you are scaling the model up or not.
Most printers have a print space of 250x250mm and can print this model at the provided size, and even scaled up significantly, or up to 5 at once on a single plate.
Tiny printers such as the A1 Mini have a printing space of 180x180mm which will print this tiny model at the provided size, but you may not be able to print more than 2 at a time on a single plate.

--I'm having issues with adhesion. What would you suggest?--
A majority of adhesion issues are user-end problems and are not associated with the model itself. There are numerous things you can do to troubleshoot your adhesion issues.
First, establish if your printing plate is clean; gently clean it with dish soap and warm water, and dry it with a clean cloth. Try not to touch the surface of the plate, as the natural oils in our skin will contaminate the surface, making it dirty again; hold the plate in the corners or in areas you won't be printing on.

If the plate is clean, and you still have adhesion problems, and you are using a smooth plate, you could try applying glue to it. However, only use glue recommended by your plate's manufacturer.

If the plate surface is damaged in any way, you should consider replacing it; the surface should be free of scratches or deep marks.

Try printing with a brim or levelling your hotbed.

Try a different style of plate; if you used a textured PEI, why not have a go on a smooth plate?

The material you are using might be too wet; dry out your filament before printing with it again, or try another type of material.

If your nozzle is over-extruding, it can “pull” the model from the plate during printing, making it seem like an adhesion issue when in reality, it's an extrusion issue. Ensure your nozzle isn't over-extruding filament.

You may want to investigate if your machine's firmware needs updating, or if there is a known fault with your machine/plate type.

--The model messed up. Can you help?--
I need to know HOW it has “messed up”, and WHERE in the model it has “messed up”, before troubleshooting anything. If you provide no details to me, I can't help you.

--The model broke when I touched it. What happened?--
Anything could have happened, it depends on numerous user-end factors.

Don't “rip” your models from the plate when they are done, even if you saw some YouTuber do it; this guarantees you'll eventually break a model, often a result of putting unnecessary strain on joints/links as you rip the model off the plate. Study proper model removal procedures, such as “flexing” your plate at all four corners to help lift the model from its surface, and gently use a scraper to get under any stubborn parts.

Don't print the model too small; chain links and the socket joints become more delicate the smaller they become. DO NOT TRY TO PRINT THIS MODEL ANY SMALLER.

Don't print using a brittle filament. Whilst I print all my items in PLA and PLA+, and the parts hold up fine, if you want something guaranteed to be stronger I recommend giving ABS a try.

Double-check your printer's layer settings, and ensure the nozzle is clean; it may have skipped a layer, or the nozzle may have had a clog and failed to extrude part of a layer. Bad layer adhesion can cause weak joints/links on all models.

If you add additional walls to the model it makes the model thicker, resulting in parts fusing. Do not add additional walls.

The infill density must not be set too low, as it will weaken the model.

--Something else went wrong/I have a question that wasn't answered here.--
Read the instructions first if you haven't already, then please provide your issue in the comments. If you require my help, please be clear and precise about what went wrong.

If you have another question, please leave it in the comments and I will do my best to answer it.

Do not attempt to print this model any smaller: the size provided is the safest to print it at. If you try to print it smaller the tail joint will be too small.