PlasticFlex Tiles

TheClosetHistorian on Youtube suggested someone try and remake Plasticflex tiles for 3D printing. And Freyja's 3D Prints made the classic tile, which is perfect for resin printing. Then no one really bothered with any other designs. 

So I tried making some square, blocky ones. First I used the same dimensions as Freyja's tiles. Then I realized I could print them upside down without supports on a filament printer if I kept the top flat. Then I wanted a few narrower ones, for thicker sewing projects that had a fold smaller than an inch on them.  (See the black tiles in the photos) These have two holes in each side, because it felt like that would make more stable “fabric”. 

Then I remembered Bianca mentioning the original tiles were less thick, so I made a few thinner ones with simple designs that should work well for making designs when rotated. With one hole on each side. I was worried about structural integrity.

Also, while I didn't have any extant objects to measure, I did my best to recreate some of the less common original ones I could find in image searches. 

The holes are biggest on the reproduction tiles, smallest on the flatter ones. 

All of the ones pictured are made in RecyclingFabrik rPLA. I tried getting some faux woodgrain patterns by misusing a glue stick, which is the weird texture on the black tiles. 

I have a basic printer with a small print bed, and I can get 36 tiles in under 4 hours, so getting the 144 for a small clutch is pretty doable for anyone with a printer, 200-ish grams of filament and a slow weekend. 

As long as you have decent bed adhesion, you shouldn't need a brim or supports on the ones that can be printed face-down. I've tried a few layer heights up to 0,25mm, and the differences are minimal. Print speed doesn't seem to affect it much beyond how quickly the print finishes. 

Disclaimer: I have limited print space, limited print speed and a limited number of plasticflex purses and purse-like objects that need sewing. I have not test printed all of these, and am strongly recommending you test print 4-9 of your chosen type to experiment with settings, possibly supports, and weaving patterns.