• toy

  • fidget

  • fun

  • mechanical

  • kids

  • display

  • quick

  • fidgettoy

  • ball

  • fast

  • kitcard

  • kitcardassembly

  • assembly

  • supportfree

  • sphere

  • low filament usage

  • project

  • expandable

  • kitcards

  • technical

  • expanding

  • noglue

  • pressfit

  • hobermansphere

  • filamentscraps

Overview:

This model has only three differing parts: A right and left arm/segment (1&2) and a four-point joint connector. Each arm has an extruded profile on each side which was made to allow the maker to differentiate between arms/segments. These will only connect to each other on the flat back side of each arm/segment.

 

This model also takes advantage of the use of your scrap filament for its hinges/connection method. All connections are also press fit into place and require no glue for assembly. Alternatively, you can also use a *soldering iron to further secure each connection but this is not entirely necessary for my model.

 

I'm aware there are existing Hoberman Spheres available on various websites but I aimed to make one similar to Siberk's Cuboctahedron style version on Thingiverse.

 

This kit has quite an assembly process so be ready to work with small parts, pliers, a flush cutter, screwdriver or small metal rod (used to press filament into place), filament bits and a hard surface. Total time for assembly was about 3 hours but expect a longer time if you struggle with small part assemblies.

 

What You Need for this Project:

 

Tools

  • Pliers
  • Flush Cutters
  • Calipers for Filament Scraps (you can test fit and eyeball as well)
  • Screwdriver or similar (something with a small metal tip)
  • A hard surface
  • (*Optional) Soldering Iron

Printed Kit Cards

  • 1x - Main Ring 1
  • 1x - Main Ring 2
  • 2x - Mid Section 1
  • 2x - Mid Section 2
  • 2x - Triangle 1
  • 2x - Triangle 2

Printing all these cards with yield 48 of each arm/segment for a total of 96 arm/segments and 24 4-Point Connectors.

 

See the attached PDF for assembly.

 

I hope you enjoy this new iteration of the Hoberman Sphere!

Originality of the Model

The author declares that this work is their personally shared model

Original creator:
3DVJModels

This model is licensed under the following terms:

Credit must be given to the creator

Models(1)

  • model file image
    Hoberman _Expandable_ Sphere Kit Card PLA 0.2mm layer, 3 walls, 15% infill.3mf

    6.08 MB

    2025-05-01

Attachments(1)

  • pdf

    HobermanSphereAssemblyGuide-compressed_d1758c16-9b1e-45fb-9e6e-b2090c5d04f5.pdf

    3.60 MB

    2025-03-14

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