You know the type of automata (plural for automaton) we mean – those endlessly fascinating contraptions driven by cams, levers, and gears. They’re mechanical works of art! Models like these have fascinated and enthralled people for centuries, and now anyone with a 3D printer can make them.
For those looking to do more than download and print simple, static STLs, automata might be what you’re looking for. Making a 3D printed automaton requires multiple parts to be pieced together, often including components like motors, springs, and bearings. All require a certain attention to detail while being built, but the majority are buildable, even by beginners, over a short amount of time. The reward is creating a beautiful model that entertains and fascinates.
In this article, we highlight 12 stunning automaton designs, from the simple to the complex. All are free and include comprehensive instructions thanks to their brilliant and generous designers.
If you see something you want to build but would rather leave the printing to the pros, try Craftcloud. With printing services around the world shipping straight to you, you’ll have an adorable automaton in no time.
Now, let’s get mechanical!
Mechanical Animals
There could be no better introduction to this fascinating area of 3D design and printing than these three cute creatures. Each has minimal moving parts, is easy to print, and demonstrates a different type of cam-driven movement.
These are great for children to play with and learn from.
You can also find simple remixes of the basic designs if you feel inspired to modify and adapt your own crafted creatures.
- Who designed it: sconine
- How printable/popular is it: This design has been liked almost 750 times on Thingiverse alone. Each of the three models is easy and straightforward to print, with 12 posted Makes and 2 Remixes.
- Where to find it: Thingiverse
Wobbly the Slope-Walking Automaton
Powered by gravity alone, Wobbly doesn’t need batteries or motors to “walk” down gentle slopes. This is another great model to show off basic yet effective mechanical principles.
Wobbly is straightforward to print and requires a bit of gluing and assembly. You may also need to do a little sanding if tolerances are tight.
By the way, it’s worth looking through the many Makes and Remixes on Thingiverse to see how you might modify and adapt Wobbly for your own interests and uses.
- Who designed it: cevinius
- How printable/popular is it: Wobbly has nearly 800 likes, 34 posted Makes, and a few brilliant Remixes, too.
- Where to find it: Thingiverse
Save the Whales
This swimming whale is one of many mechanical marvels by prolific designer, erwoong. This version is hand-cranked, though you can also find a variant that can be powered continuously by a small electric motor if you want to take it to the next level.
It’s not a simple build, but there’s a helpful video covering design, construction, and use on YouTube.
- Who designed it: erwoong
- How printable/popular is it: Over 1000 likes (mechanical and electric versions) and 20+ makes.
- Where to find it: Thingiverse
Lora and I
The undisputed lead designer of beautiful, 3D printed, mechanical objects is Greg Zumwalt. We’ve featured four of his brilliant models in this article, starting with this simple, fun, hand-powered creation designed from the heart.
Originally a gift to his wife (Lora), when you turn the handle, the couple turn to face each other and kiss. What’s not to love? It’s a great design, a fascinating mechanism, and definitely a build with great gift potential.
- Who designed it: gzumwalt
- How printable/popular is it: This design has been viewed over 1,500 times on Instructables.
- Where to find it: Instructables
Crawling Caterpillar
This is a simple and fun automaton with many moving parts. Guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of anyone, old or young.
We like the simple red and green, but you can go for whatever color scheme you like for this cute, wriggling, little insect larva. You could try a few shades of green with a red face to immortalize everyone’s favorite very hungry book character.
It does have a lot of parts to print and may need a bit of sanding if parts are too tight. However, it’s not complex and is fun to make.
- Who designed it: TheJimReaper
- How printable/popular is it: This creepy-crawly has been downloaded over 50 times.
- Where to find it: Cults
Hummingbird
This mechanical, flying hummingbird is the most popular of Greg Zumwalt’s designs with tens of thousands of views and hundreds of likes.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the motion, take a look at the video below to see it in action. As its wings flap and rotate, it hovers in and out to sip nectar at the flower, spreading its tail as it goes. It’s truly beautiful.
Even though the instructions are quite thorough, this is an involved build consisting of 36 unique parts, 96 parts in total (not including the motor and power supply). This build will require attention to detail and lubrication for each joint with fine mineral oil.
This is certainly not a one-evening-build, but the reward is a great conversation starter with a mesmerizing and hypnotic movement.
- Who designed it: gzumwalt
- How printable/popular is it: This is a well-proven design, and two people have shared their builds on Instructables.
- Where to find it: Instructables
Kinetic Waterdrop
This is another fascinating and hypnotic model to watch in action. The build was inspired by a wooden creation by Dean O’Callaghan, making the same concept possible with a 3D printer.
Turning the handle simulates the spreading ripples and waves from a drop of water. Great to watch – it even looks good when not in motion – and fun to build too.
For most, this has been a relatively straightforward print and build, but it’s worth reading through the comments and checking to see whether any of the Remixes suit you better.
- Who designed it: EG3Dprinting
- How printable/popular is it: This mesmerizing creation has been liked over 6,000 times and has been made over 20 times on Thingiverse alone.
- Where to find it: Thingiverse
Mac N' Cheese
This is an All3DP team favorite and another Greg Zumwalt classic. The mechanics are hidden from view and drive an entertaining “magic trick”. When the man lifts the dome for the first time there is a slice of yellow cheese on the table, on the second lifting the cheese is gone – replaced by a very content-looking mouse! The man’s eyes are, literally, on stalks! The mechanism makes clever use of magnets to pull off the stunt.
It’s a very well-described build that needs a little time, care, and attention to pull off, but it will be well worth the end result.
- Who designed it: gzumwalt
- How printable/popular is it: This design is featured on Instructables with hundreds of downloads across Cults and MyMinfactory.
- Where to find it: Instructables
Flying Fish
Amoa Chan is a designer with a real heart and passion for what he does. His 3D printed flying fish, unlike most other automata, isn’t driven by continuous movement. Instead, you push the fish down and it then soars back up extending its wings as it “flies” into the air.
It’s a very clever design making use of a 3D printed spring. It’s also another model that looks great even when not in motion.
Snake Automaton
This is one of Greg Zumwalt’s more recent designs and the result of much trial and error (shared on his YouTube channel). This ingenious, motor-driven, mechanism causes the snake’s head to rise and fall, making inventive use of interlocked pieces and clever gearing behind the scenes. It’s as fascinating as it is hypnotic. Perhaps you could customize it for a Harry Potter or Jungle Book fan you know?
Quite a bit of making is required, but the instructions are clear and easy to follow.
- Who designed it: gzumwalt
- How printable/popular is it: This is a featured design on Instructables and has nearly 100 likes.
- Where to find it: Instructables
Polar Bear & Seal
Turning to another wonderful Amao Chan design, this is his most popular automaton. Turn the handle to watch the polar bear try to catch the seal as it pokes its head through the ice hole.
This is a very clever mechanism and a huge favorite with kids. We feel a bit sorry for the polar bear who’ll never catch dinner, though!
Walking AT-AT
If everything else on this list feels too easy, then feel free to roll your sleeves up and get to work on this beauty. Turn the handle to watch the AT-AT walk as a Snow Speeder circles its legs.
It looks awesome when built, and it’s big! It’s a complex build, too, supported by several pages of very detailed PDF drawings and assembly diagrams.
- Who designed it: Cana759
- How printable/popular is it: We’ll be honest – this is a serious and involved project to undertake. It will require time and patience, but the end result will be. May the Force be with you.
- Where to find it: Thingiverse
Lead image source: pjjphoto via Thingiverse
License: The text of "3D Printed Automaton: 12 Incredible Designs" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.