Sentinel Fan Art for FDM

High detailed articulated model of Matrix Sentinel creature.
For FDM printers only

If you want RESIN printer version it is here.

I've always wanted this creature on my desk. Commercial products are too expensive for me - those detailed and nice ones at least.
I know - there are some 3d printed Sentinels on the internet but those are quite complex and hard to print.
So I've decided to make my own which will be easy to print and with minimum effort to assamble needed.
Let's be honest - I've failed.
My sentinel is easy to print and assamble...but ...
... It takes a lot of time ;)

The result however is definitelly worth it in my opinion.

---

---

---

---

---

SIZE of the model

Sentinel comes in two sizes.
Default one is 50cm long and Small one is 70% so it is 35 cm long with stretched tentacles.
It is crucial not to mix those stl files because each size has different tolerances tested on my 2 printers (coreXY and Delta printer).

---

Basic printing instructions:

• 3 wall loops
• 5 top and botom shell layers
• 25% infill

---

No s BUT...

Every part of this Sentinel can be printed without s except of its body (01_Body_0.15mm.stl and 01_Body_0.12mm.stl). However for the body you need to add just automatic s from build platform only (see in screenshots)
Everything else is preed or without s. (check YT video for details, please)

---

Layer Thickness

I've added postfix to each file saying what layer thickness it must be printed with.

For example:

• 01_Body_0.15mm.stl (print with 0.15 mm layer)
• 05_Tentacle_0.2mm.stl (print with 0.2 mm layer)

Layer thickness is important due to tolerances in those models. If you print it with different layer thickness I can't guarantee everything will work as it should.
My recommandation is to adjust Line width for each layer thickness for best visual quality and detail preservation.

Here are my recommended settings for line width (standard 0.4mm nozzle):

• 0.1mm layer - inner 0.38mm, outer 0.35mm
• 0.12mm layer - inner 0.39mm, outer 0.36mm
• 0.15mm layer - inner 0.42mm, outer 0.39mm
• 0.2mm layer - inner 0.45mm, outer 0.42mm

---

---

---

TEST YOUR TOLERANCES

To save some time and test if everything can be articulated and snapped together - print these files first:

• _Tentacle_Clearance_Test.stl or small version _Tentacle_Clearance_Test_0.15mm.stl
• 02_Leg_0.15mm.stl or small version 02_Leg_0.12mm.stl
• 03_Hand_0.15mm.stl or small version 03_Hand_0.12mm.stl
• 04_Tentacle_Root_0.2mm.stl or small version 04_TentacleRoot_0.15mm.stl

Tolerance Test Instruction VIDEO

If you have any problems with tolerances even if you printed everything with recommended settings I suggest to adjust Flow Ratio:

• UP 3% if tolerances are too loose
• DOWN 3% if it is too tight or s can't be removed easily

---

---

---

Articulated LEGS
Legs are preed and you will need to print them 10 times (02_Leg_0.15mm.stl or smaller 02_Leg_0.12mm.stl)

---

TENTACLES
Tentacle consists of 32 individual ts, Hand and Root which is screwed to the body
There is 12 such tentacles on the body.
For each tentacle print those files:

• 03_Hand_0.15mm.stl or smaller 03_Hand_0.12mm.stl
• 04_Tentacle_Root_0.2mm.stl or smaller 04_TentacleRoot_0.15mm.stl
• 2x 05_Tentacle_0.2mm.stl or smaller 05_Tentacle_16pcs_0.15mm.stl

Consider if you want full length tentacles. They are filament and time eaters. Check out my Sentinel for Resin printers. There is o photo of one with really short tentacles and it is cute one in my opinion ;)

---

Snap-Fit and GLUE
Legs and Tentacles are Snap-Fit however the only thing you have to Glue are the tiny legs on the bottom of the body and the eyes :(
I suggest to keep printed eyes on the build plate until gluing because some of them are really tiny (see photos please)

---

---

---

OPTIONAL

There is _tentacle_ring.stl file.
It is a small opened ring which can be inserted inbetween each tentacle t. It really improves visual quality of the whole thing but at the same time it is time consuming process.It will take about 90 minutes to put all the rings in. You can see printed Sentinel with those rings in following video or check out photos.

Tentacle Coloured Rings VIDEO

You will need 396 of those so print a grid of 20x20pcs at once.