Need Help Splitting a Model with a Joint for Snapping Together

Bambu Lab Software
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thank you guys so much for your input on this now my biggest petpeve is when on a reddit post they say its solved yet dont say how so here you go so a big thanks to Equivalent_Store_645 on r/BambuLab heres the fix/way to do it

the easy way is to do it in a slicer, orca slicer at least (that’s the only one i use) has an “add connector” option when you cut an object. It lets you place the connectors, choose size, depth, and tolerance, and choose type (plug, dowl, or snap). you want snap.

luckly i had orca already downloaded heres the link to download it Orca Slicer

step by step you download load it foly the steps put your modle and press C to cut. now to get the join you might get this message that you cant split it thats because you will have to modify the anges of the joint and dont worry its simple i might make a how to video on this if you would like on my :movie_camera: My channel: Andrews3DFactory

Hey everyone!

I’m working on a big personal project — a 600% scale LEGO Brickhead Stitch , fully 3D printed. Everything’s been going great, but now I’ve hit a new roadblock:

:warning: The Problem:

I need to split one of the parts because it’s too big for my printer’s bed (Bambu X1C), but I don’t want to just do a flat cut and glue it — I want something more precise and solid.

I’m trying to split the part with a built-in joint, so the halves:

  • :nut_and_bolt: Lock together or snap in place
  • :magnet: Stay perfectly aligned
  • :brick: Can be assembled without glue, or with just a light layer

:wrench: What I Want To Do:

  • Add a tab, dovetail, peg-and-hole, or puzzle-style joint
  • Keep the joint printable without supports
  • Make the result flush and seamless when assembled

:triangular_ruler: What I’ve Tried:

  • Fusion 360 – I can split the model using Split Body , but I’m not sure how to cleanly model matching joints across both halves
  • Bambu Studio – Can’t do geometry changes there
  • Meshmixer – Not precise enough for aligned joints
  • Tinkercad – Works for tiny stuff but doesn’t give clean joint options

:red_question_mark: What I’m Asking:

  • How do you guys make perfect split joints for large models like this?
  • Are there templates or workflows that make this easier?
  • Should I do it fully in Fusion, or is there a better way?

:file_folder: What I’m Sharing:

I’ve attached the model I’m trying to split, plus a screenshot showing what I want to do.
(Not sharing the full Stitch model yet — just this part for now.)

:paperclip: Attached Files:

rich text editor image
rich text editor image2559×1439 422 KB

:folded_hands: Big Thanks + Shoutout

Whoever helps get this working will get a shoutout in my final LEGO Stitch Brickhead YouTube video when I release it!

:movie_camera: My channel: Andrews3DFactory

Thanks in advance for helping out!

:folded_hands: Bonus:

This is all for a full build video coming to my YouTube channel:
:clapper_board: Andrews3DFactory

If you help me get this solved, you’ll get a shoutout in the final Stitch video when it drops!

Thanks so much for the help!
— Andrew

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Unfortunately Fusion put the snap joints in the “Design Extension” and it costs as much as the Fusion license itself cost. That was a hard pill for me to swallow. But it does have a 14 day free trial :sunglasses:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=SLD-SNAP-FIT

The other option (that I use) is a free Fusion add-on called “Snap Generator”. It’s not in the Fusion add-on store, probably because it does one of the things the $600 Autodesk add-on does… but you can download it from Github and install it yourself.

I’ve been using it for almost a year and it works nicely.

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Did you try Studio’s Dovetail Cut? 2 icons to the right from the scale button.
You may need to play a bit with XY-compensation and print with brims and dry filament to avoid warping.

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Bambustudio has got built in dovetail splits.

For fusion I would just draw a sketch on the bottom plane,
with a dovetail shape a bit wider than the shape to be cut,
create an offset of the dovetail about 0.05 mm’s away,
fill in the ends. (Join the two offset dovetails to make a dovetail cutter profile)

Then extrude cut the whole dovetail cutter profile to split it into two with a 0.05mm gap - which should on an x1c lead to a fairly tight friction fit.

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wait they have a dove tail extenion

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In your screenshot, you are showing the scaling tool. Two icons to the right is the cut tool. That includes some very basic cuts, including dovetail.
Getting the clearances right is a bit of trial and error though.

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Another method:
Model your joint geometry on one piece.
Move the other half into position, overlapping.
Use Solid | Modify | Combine, select the side with the joint geometry as the Tool, select the plain side as the Target, choose a Cut operation and check the Keep Tools box.

The target side will fit the tool side exactly. If the fit is too tight, you can add a little clearance with the Solid | Modify | Offset Face(s) tool.

1 Like