# Jigsaw puzzle joint (for splitting large prints)

> How do you join two 3D printed plates with a puzzle joint?

- Category: Joinery › 3D-print connectors
- Kind: Hardware
- Basis: Xem Studio design — geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=jigsaw-puzzle-joint · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files Xem Studio Design License (free to use and sell from, not to redistribute as files: https://xemstudio.com/license/)
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

## Overall (mm)

| length | width | height |
|---|---|---|
| 120.0 | 60.0 | 6.0 |

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no printing tolerance added.

## Notes

- Woodworking joint drawn for 3D printing: the parts lock together by shape, so a print can be joined without glue or screws. Drawn at true size with the parts line to line (zero gap) in their assembled position — add your printer's fit allowance to the mating faces (your AI or slicer can do this).
- The jigsaw-puzzle tab used to split a part that is too big for the bed: print both halves flat and press them together.

## Sizes

| dimension | value |
|---|---|
| stock | 6 mm plates, 60 mm wide |
| parts | part a, part b |
| tabs | two, Ø12 mm heads on 6 mm necks |
| assembles | pressed together from above |
| holds | pulling apart in the plane of the plates |

## Where the files are

- Xem Studio: [Joinery design (geometry computed in the generator from traditional proportions)](https://xemstudio.com/) — web — Xem Studio design

## Free STEP/STL (3 parts, Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio)

Index: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/index.json · license: https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/LICENSE.md

- jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-a: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-a.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-a.stl) — Plate with two round puzzle tabs
- jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-b: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-b.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-part-b.stl) — Plate with the matching sockets
- jigsaw-puzzle-joint-assembled: [STEP](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-assembled.step) · [STL](https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/jigsaw-puzzle-joint/jigsaw-puzzle-joint-assembled.stl) — All parts in their assembled position (each part its own solid)

## Questions

**How do I split a print too big for my bed?**

Cut it with puzzle tabs like these (or a sliding dovetail) and press the halves together.

## Fits with

- [Sliding dovetail joint (dovetail housing)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/sliding-dovetail-joint/)
- [Butterfly key (bow-tie, dutchman)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/butterfly-key-joint/)
- [Snap-fit cantilever joint (hook and catch)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/snap-fit-cantilever-joint/)