Chain Mail Tri-mesh

The goal of this chain mail design was to simplify each loop as much as possible so the pattern can be shrunk to a minimum printable size while still maintaining good strength and flexibility. Each loop links 3 of other loops which I think is more flexible (most designs found on Thingiverse link 4). The natural shape for a 3-link loop is a hexagon but I distorted it to a more triangular shape so each link crosses at 90 degrees. This allows the printed gap between loops to be more controllable (so they don't get printed together) and it helps to keep the links from getting tangled.

The finished pattern has good drape and does not tend to get tangled up. You can pretty much roll it into a ball and then throw it on a table and it will lay flat again after a few flicks. My intent was to make a useful fabric but, for now, it is finding much more use as a toy to play around with.

Please see my improved version of chain mail at: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2611564 . It h