JointBot

JointBot 1.0

10 iterations after the JointBot alpha release, we're happy to announce JointBot 1.0! Fully-articulated and print-in-place.

This design was part of my final project for the Graduate level Design and Digital Fabrication program @ SUNY New Paltz CAD 1 class. It started out as a simple exercise in understanding how to design and print ball joints for 3D printing and got kind of out of hand ;) Elbows, shoulders, knees, hips and neck are all ball joints.

I've included the Rhino3D file for anyone who wants to remix etc.

Printing tips:

Since the first few layers print extra-gooey and run together, JointBot's joints can be tough to separate. Go slow and avoid 'snapping' them out. Instead, use your fingernail or a spudger to separate the housing from the joint. Use slow rotation (again, no lateral snapping) to work the joints free. If you are confident in your platform adhesion, print the first few layers thinner than the rest of JointBot -- it will give more clearance between ball and housing. Good Luck!

PS Photo is a print from my janky Hictop Prusa i3.