Animatronic Utah Teapot

This was inspired by the 418 HTTP status code. I plan to revisit this model with more functionality and better instructions. Check out my blog post for more details.

Note that the retaining clip in the photos attached has a deep cut carved into it. This cut is now modelled in.

Hardware Required

• 1x MG90S servo
• 1x M3x25 dowel pin
• 1x M3x8 dowel pin

Print Instructions

• “418 Teapot.step”
  • Do not print this model
  • Use as reference for assembly
• “print_with_supports.stl”
  • Print with supports (recommend organic supports)
• “print_without_supports.stl”
  • Print without supports
• “pause_at_4.5mm”
  • Print without supports
  • Add a pause layer at 4.5mm
  • Peel the rectangle piece off and place on top of frame piece, then continue
• All files are in correct printing orientations
• 0.4mm or below layer height is fine
• PLA is fine

Assembly

• Stick a paper label into the recess of the frame
• Put servo cog onto servo (the thin one)
• Feed servo cable out from teapot body through hole at base
• Fold the cable into the side of servo and slide into cavity (there's a channel for the cable to run through)
• Put M3x25 dowel pin through tall cog
• Slide the pin and tall cog into the 3mm hole inside the teapot body
• Spin the servo into the 0 position
• Slide the tall cog to disengage it with the servo cog
• Slide the frame in, the rack should slide past the side of the tall cog
• When the frame hits the bottom, slide the tall cog into place, engaging it with both the servo cog and rack of the frame
• Snap in the retaining clip over the servo
• Extend the frame out of the teapot (by powering the servo)
• Put M3x8 dowel pin into loop on top of the frame
• Snap the teapot lid onto the dowel pin, ensure that the slit cut out for the tall cog is on the side with the tall cog