Curiosity remix for easier print

thingiverse

This version allows printing the rover model with a small printer and solves some issues present in the original NASA design that makes it very hard to print. The remix also adds the option of printing different parts in various colors, since the components are now separated. I used my own software to split the original NASA model into its individual disconnected elements, resulting in 24 separate parts if including supports and tiny pieces that didn't appear significant. In this remix, duplicate wheels are omitted, but see below for details on printing the wheels. Separating the parts allows printing them in different colors, which is a second reason for doing so. A third reason is to minimize the risk of total failure if one part fails. I discovered that the underside of the main rover body was originally designed with a thin rectangular void, making it unprintable. I filled this void and it was then possible to print without issues. This modification is not visible in the finished model. I also increased the height of the supports where the wheel assembly connects. The support still breaks off easily. The wheels were problematic because they were designed with very small footprints, making them likely to fail during print by losing adhesion. After three unsuccessful print attempts, I modified the wheel spokes to extend all the way down to the print bed in order to increase the footprint and adherence. Now the print of the modified wheel was successful on first try. This modification is on the inside of the wheels and not visible in the assembled rover model. Both the original and the modified "easy" wheels are included in this remix, I recommend printing the easy one. Print 6 wheels together at once by instructing the slicer to slice multiple copies of the one you prefer. The small UHF part is not from NASA; it's my own tiny bonus contribution to make the UHF antenna stand out like in some pictures of the rover. I printed the model using 0.2mm layers and 0.2mm extrusion width. How I Designed This The model was remixed by automatically splitting it into separate parts, using polyfix available in the AngelCAD package https://arnholm.github.io/angelcad-docs/