Animated Cross Spider – Reactive Coaster

This animated cross spider with 8 articulated legs reacts to the weight of a glass or cup using pure gravity and mechanical movement.
One moment the spider lies calmly on the table — the next moment it moves and comes alive, creating a surprising and playful effect.

The animation happens automatically when pressure is applied and released.
No electronics, no springs, no gimmicks — just carefully balanced mechanics and smart geometry 🕷️

This makes the model perfect as an interactive coaster, desk decoration, or conversation starter.

How it works

The spider is designed to work entirely through gravity-based motion.
The internal structure and weight distribution were fine-tuned so the movement feels natural, responsive, and repeatable.

<u>Please do not change wall thickness, infill, or scaling</u>, as even small changes can negatively affect the movement.

Printing & Post-Processing

This is a multi-part print.

• Supports are required and must be removed after printing
• After removing the supports:
  • Gently move the legs and the head several times
  • This helps free the joints so the spider moves more smoothly and with less resistance

After this short break-in process, the spider should animate easily and reliably.

Material Efficiency – Why this matters

Many animated animal models (for example turtles or other multi-color creatures) rely heavily on AMS color changes, which creates a large amount of filament waste.

👉 This cross spider is designed differently:

• Very low filament waste
• No forced multi-color printing
• Perfect for printing multiple copies efficiently

You get a fun, animated model without wasting material, which is better for both printers and the environment.

Important Notes

• Not recommended for hot drinks (PLA may soften or warp)
• Contains thin, moving parts
  <u>Not suitable for small children</u>
• Designed to hold the weight of a normal glass, but please handle with care

License – Fair & Community Friendly

You ARE allowed to:

• ✅ Sell printed versions commercially
• ✅ Remix and modify the model
• ✅ Share your results with the community

<u>Under the following conditions:</u>

• Credit my name clearly in the model page or product listing
• Remixes must include significant changes (not just small edits)
• Please:
  • Leave a good print profile rating
  • Boost the model if you like it

This helps ensure that everyone benefits — creators, remixers, and the MakerWorld community as a whole.