Advanced 3D PrintingBall and Socket Joint
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Advanced 3D Printing

Course progress0/12
1Print-in-Place
  • Print-in-Place Mechanisms
  • Ball and Socket Joint
2Snap-Fit Joints
  • Snap-Fit Joints
  • Design Snap-Fit Parts
3Living Hinges
  • Living Hinges
  • Design a Hinged Box
4Threads & Fasteners
  • Printable Threads
  • Threaded Container
5Strength Optimization
  • Designing for Strength
  • Reinforced Bracket
6Desk Organizer Project
  • Desk Organizer Design Brief
  • Project: Desk Organizer
3D · Lesson 2 of 12Design a Ball Joint

Print-in-Place Ball Joint

Create the components for a ball and socket joint.

Task

  1. 1Create a ball - A sphere (radius ~1 unit)
  2. 2Create a socket housing - A box with a spherical cavity
  3. 3Leave 0.5mm clearance between ball and socket

Key Concepts

  • The ball must be smaller than the socket opening
  • Add a gap for clearance so parts don't fuse
  • In real PIP design, these would be positioned for single-print assembly

For this exercise, create the two parts separately.

Hints