Riveted Chain Mail

This model solves two problems: how to get a bit of historical reference into printable chain mail, and how to increase surface area in contact with the bed while retaining a relatively small circular ring.

The riveted area is inspired by dome rivets found in medieval chain mail. It's not entirely historically accurate because I've used the flattened rivet area to make a wider area for plate contact. This rivet area has to rotate 45 degrees to maximize contact with the plate. This angle did not happen in historical mail, but it's a way to make an “easier” print-in-place.

Having said that, I've only been able to successfully print the small 8 x 6 sample. The big sheet continues to fail. What I'm learning, though, is to go low and slow… I'm running the print at about half speed and reducing the nozzle temperature to reduce stringing. I'm increasing the plate bed temp, however, to keep the bloody things from lifting. I haven't found the sweet spot yet, but the experiments are improving with each pass. And yes, I'm drying out my filament to beat the band.

I've tried PLA and PETG, and PETG wins hands down. I'll be experimenting with some other filament types just to see what they have to offer in the way of success.

Give it a try and let me know what works for you. Definitely print the smaller sample first! Disclaimer: This is a tough print, even though the surface area is increased. Probably should not be your first attempt at a print if you are new to printing!

UPDATE: I've included a joiner ring if you get good enough at printing this that you want to assemble multiple sheets. I do NOT recommend PLA for this.