Ornithopter Dune 3D Printing Model | Assembly + Action

ABOUT THIS 3D MODEL

“ORNITHOPTER: (commonly: ’thopter) any aircraft capable of sustained wing-beat flight in the manner of birds.” Frank Herbert

The 2021 adaptation of the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert accomplished many goals with Denis Villeneuve’s storytelling approach and the immense scope of the narration. But most importantly, the 2021 Dune simultaneously opened up the classic sci-fi work to the younger audiences and successfully attempted to recreate the images of the vast universe that the previous adaptations managed only partially. One of such gems is the Ornithopter that the fans of the Dune universe have been longing to see brought onto the big screen from the pages of the grandiose novel.

Our contributing 3D artist put a lot of effort into this 3D printing project determined to do justice to the futuristic aircraft. The predatory metal dragonfly features four pairs of symmetrical flapping wings that can fold to imitate the Ornithopter’s power dive toward the ground. The angular windows of the cockpit reveal the detailed interior of the aircraft that can accommodate a pilot with a crew of four. Being “a perfect mix of the outlandish and the familiar”, the purpose of the Ornithopter becomes clear just by looking at it. But this fact doesn’t make the aircraft less captivating. 

ADAPTATION FOR 3D PRINTING

Dune Ornithopter for 3D printing is an active assembly model and its moderation and adaptation for different types of 3D printers took Gambody team 104 hours in total. For you to receive the cleanest 3D printing result possible and to minimize the amount of filament needed for generated support, the desert aircraft was divided into many assembly parts that are provided as separate STL files. For you to impress the spectators with your 3D printed piece, the special articulation mechanism was designed to fit inside the ship and set the Ornithopter's wings into motion. 

All assembly parts are provided in STL files of FFF/FDM version in recommended positions that were worked out in order to ensure the smoothness of the details’ surfaces after printing and that the 3D printing beginners won’t face difficulties when placing the parts on a build plate. When downloading any model’s file you will also receive “Assembly Manual” for FFF/FDM 1.0 and DLP/SLA 1.0 versions in PDF format. We highly recommend that you get acquainted with the “Assembly video” and “Assembly Manual” before getting down to the Ornithopter model.

The model is saved in STL files, a format supported by most 3D printers. All STL files for 3D printing have been checked in Netfabb and no errors were shown.The model’s scale was calculated from the approximate length of the Ornithopter which is 25500 mm. The 3D printing model’s chosen scale is 1:64 for the FFF/FDM version and 1:128 for the DLP/SLA version.

VERSIONS' SPECIFICATIONS

FFF/FDM 1.1 version features:

• Contains 73 parts;
• A printed model stands 368 mm tall, 456 mm wide, 560 mm deep (platform + folded wings), 346 mm tall, 930 mm wide, 504 mm deep (extended landing gear + unfolded wings);
• New platform with separated stand to print in color;
• New ramp pillars;
• New stand for the folded wings;
• New authentic wing mounts;
• All parts are divided in such a way that you will print them with the smallest number of support structures.

DLP/SLA 1.1 version features:

• Contains 52 parts;
• A printed model stands 184 mm tall, 228 mm wide, 280 mm deep (platform + folded wings), 173 mm tall, 465 mm wide, 252 mm deep (extended landing gear + unfolded wings);
• New platform with separated stand to print in color;
• New ramp pillars;
• New stand for the folded wings;
• New authentic wing mounts;
• All parts are divided in such a way to fit the build plates and to ensure that support structures are generated where needed.

FFF/FDM 1.0 version features:

• Contains 61 parts;
• A printed model stands 368 mm tall, 456 mm wide, 560 mm deep (platform + folded wings), 346 mm tall, 930 mm wide, 504 mm deep (extended landing gear + unfolded wings);
• There are two variants of the Ornithopter’s body - with and without the House Atreides emblem;
• The aircraft’s interior boasts a fascinating level of detail + pilot’s controls are articulated;
• Adjustable grip connectors inside wings’ mounts allow multidirectional movement of all wings;
• Two variants of landing gear - folded to display the aircraft in flight mode and unfolded to display model without the platform;
• Both front “feet” (landing gear) have three points of articulation;
• Rear ramp opens + there are notches to secure the opened ramp with a piece of a 1.75mm filament;
• Display Ornithopter without a platform on the extended landing gear by assembling the opening ramp with additional rear “feet”;
• Rear “feet” that support the opening ramp are articulated, as well as the hooks on the ramp;
• The missiles are fully articulated;
• Assembly of the articulated elements in the FDM version requires additional “pins” that do not come in STL files but can be made out of short pieces of regular 1.75mm filament;
• The cockpit windows come as separate assembly parts to be printed with transparent material;
• There are two variants of Ornithopter's wings that differ in thickness to choose from;
• You can light up the spacious interior of the Ornithopter;
• All parts are divided in such a way that you will print them with the smallest number of support structures.

DLP/SLA 1.0 version features:

• Contains 38 parts;
• A printed model stands 184 mm tall, 228 mm wide, 280 mm deep (platform + folded wings), 173 mm tall, 465 mm wide, 252 mm deep (extended landing gear + unfolded wings);
• There are two variants of the Ornithopter’s body - with and without the House Atreides emblem;
• The aircraft’s interior boasts a fascinating level of detail;
• Adjustable grip connectors inside wings’ mounts allow multidirectional movement of all wings;
• Two variants of landing gear - folded to display the aircraft in flight mode and unfolded to display model without the platform;
• Rear ramp opens + there are notches to secure the opened ramp with a piece of a regular paper clip;
• Display Ornithopter without a platform on the extended landing gear by assembling the opening ramp with additional rear “feet”;
• The hooks on the ramp are articulated + the missiles rotate;
• Assembly of the articulated elements in the SLA version requires additional “pins” that do not come in STL files but can be made out of short pieces of a regular paper clip;
• The cockpit windows come as separate assembly parts to be printed with transparent material;
• There are two variants of Ornithopter's wings that differ in thickness to choose from;
• There is an alternative set of wings with a 1/16" hole for a steel pin for added strength;
• All parts are divided in such a way to fit the build plates and to ensure that support structures are generated where needed.

You can get the model of Ornithopter Dune for 3D Printing immediately after the purchase! Just click the green Buy button in the top-right corner of the model’s page. You can pay with PayPal or your credit card.

Watch the tutorial on how to assemble Ornithopter Dune 3D Printing Model at Gambody YouTube channel.

Also, you may like other Fiction 3D Printing Models or Space Ships 3D Printing Models.

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FAQ: 

• Where can I print a model if I have no printer?
• How to get started with 3D printing?
• How to set up my 3D printer?
• How to choose right 3D model print bed positioning? 
• How to paint printed figurine?

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Below you can find printing recommendations for Cura, Bambu Lab, Simplify3D, Slic3r and PrusaSlicer software.

Disclaimer: The following printing settings are a recommendation, not an obligation. The parameters can vary depending on the peculiarities of your 3D printer, the material you use, and especially the particular assembly part you are working with. Each part that any model comprises often needs preliminary review, and you are free to tweak the settings the way you find suitable.

Note:

You can scale up the model (downscaling for FFF/FDM 3D printers is not recommended!);

All connectors should be printed at 100% Infill.

Bambu Lab printing recommendations:

These basic 3D printing settings recommendations for beginners were tested in Bambu Studio 1.9.1. Test models were printed on the Bambu Lab A1, Bambu Lab A1 Mini, Creality Ender 3 S1, Anycubic Kobra 2, and Anycubic Vyper using PLA and PETG filaments.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings: download

Cura printing recommendations:

These are averaged settings which were tested in the Cura 5.2.1 slicer. Test models were printed on Anycubic Vyper, Creality Ender 3 Pro with PLA filament.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings: download

Simplify3D printing recommendations:

These are averaged settings which were tested in the Simplify3D 5.0.0 slicer. Test models were printed on Anycubic Vyper, FLSUN v400, Ender3 S1 with PLA filament.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings: download

Slic3r printing recommendations:

These basic 3D printing settings recommendations for beginners were tested in Slic3r 1.3.0 software. Test models were printed on Ultimaker 2, Creality Ender 3, Creality Cr-10S pro v2, Anycubic I3 Mega, Anycubic I3 MegaS, Anycubic Vyper with PLA and PetG filaments.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings: download

PrusaSlicer printing recommendations:

These basic 3D printing settings recommendations for beginners were tested in PrusaSlicer 2.3.1. Test models were printed on Ultimaker 2, Creality Ender 3, Creality Cr-10S pro v2, Anycubic I3 Mega, Anycubic I3 MegaS, Anycubic Vyper with PLA and PETG filaments.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings: download