Hello!

My fiance has access to a 3D printer. I was browsing through some pet patterns and came across this one...

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:139807

I was wondering, if I maybe played around with the size a bit, do you think it would work for gliders? Thoughts?

I would first do a lot of research on the material the printer uses to make sure it would not be toxic for your gliders.

I would hesitate to use it unless I had information from the manufacturer that the material is indeed safe.

The 3-D printed objects I have handled have been a grainy texture like a solid sponge that feels like it may even absorb water.

You might try a few smaller objects and test them to see if they do absorb anything. See how it holds up to washing.

See if it holds up to being dropped and if bits of the material might be easily scraped off by glider nails.

The one shown in the photo is much too small for gliders - it looks like it is only about 8 inches wide - most glider wheels are at least 12 inches across to give gliders room to stretch out when jumping in the wheel to propel it. Gliders do not really run in their wheels.

Thanks for the reply!

The printer he uses at his work uses some type of plastic. We have some stuff here that he printed before and it definitely isn't absorbent at all.

I know the one shown would be too small, but my fiance wouldn't have any trouble scaling it up for me.

I have lizards too, and I know some people use the 3D printers to make hides for their lizards. I've seen the printers used to make pet toys, dog bowls, and such as well so I assume they'd be pretty easy to clean. I've never personally used any of the 3D printed stuff for any of my pets though.

To be honest I already have a wheel so I don't really need one, I just thought it looked interesting. I might have him make me a few hides for my geckos before anything for gliders. Then I can better test how it holds up to washing and pet nails.

But I'll see if I can get some more information on exactly what type of plastic is used first.