kbricks construction system

prusaprinters

<h3>Fully 3d printable construction system</h3> <p>With the rise of 3d printers I got the impression that the time is right for a construction system that is specifically designed for 3d printing and that addresses some of the challenges I always had with commercial construction systems. Many of you probably remember such situations: you are building some cool new model but in the end some important bricks are missing so you cannot finish your work. And even if you can, it is still just a model and it tends to fall into pieces when you play with it.</p> <h3>Models that don't fall into pieces</h3> <p>Here, I proudly present of <strong>kbricks</strong> (pronounced <em>"kay-bricks"</em>), a <em>fully 3d-printable</em>, <em>open source</em> construction system. With kbricks you will never run out of parts because you can simply print missing parts yourself. And thanks to <em>stable connections</em> your models won't fall into pieces even if you give them to a (not too young) child. I have already constructed a <a href="https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/54796-kbricks-tractor">tractor</a>, a forklift, a racing car , a tipper truck, a figure, and other models which I am going to publish here. All required parts are already available here and new parts will be added as needed.</p> <p>This video shows how to get started with kbricks:</p> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/3_plykmoSQs" title="kbricks getting started"><img alt="Video: Getting started with kbricks" src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/3_plykmoSQs/0.jpg"/></a></p> <p><em>Explore more kbricks models on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/kbricks">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/kbricks.construction.system?igshid=f7p8xbk8itv3">Instagram</a>.</em></p> <h3>Stable connections thanks to orthogonal connectors</h3> <p>The fundamental kbricks part is a <strong>24 mm cube</strong> that has two <strong>orthogonal notches</strong> on each surface. Using <strong>slide connectors</strong> these notches can be connected to <strong>plates</strong> or other cubes resulting in a stable connection of the two parts. There are also <strong>beams</strong> and <strong>pegs</strong> similar to the ones used in other construction systems. Furthermore, there are <strong>wheels</strong>, <strong>axles</strong>, <strong>steerings</strong>, and <strong>icing</strong> parts which make your models look nice. Thanks to Joerg Janssen's amazing <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1604369">Gears Library for OpenSCAD</a> there are finally different types of <strong>gears</strong>. This <a href="https://youtu.be/r5TO2mwobMY">video</a> demonstrates the strength of kbricks connectors printed in PLA at 0.15mm layer height.</p> <h3>Assembling kbricks models</h3> <p>Models are assembled by connecting its parts with slide connectors and pegs. A hex key may be helpful for inserting the slide connectors.</p> <h3>Disassembling kbricks models</h3> <p>To disassemble a kbricks model, simply <strong>pull out</strong> the slide connectors using a needle-nosed pliers or <strong>push</strong> them out using a hex key. Pegs can be pushed out using an axle.</p> <h3>References</h3> <ul> <li>All files and OpenSCAD sources are tracked on <a href="https://github.com/kbricks">GitHub</a>.</li> <li>This model uses the <em>Gears Library for OpenSCAD</em> published on <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1604369">Thingiverse</a> by Joerg Janssen.</li> </ul> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Parts needed for the quad shown in the video</h3> <ul> <li>1 x <a href="/download:6381259">cube_basic.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>,<em>detect thin walls</em>)</li> <li>2 x <a href="/download:6381260">cube_2hole.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>, <em>detect thin walls</em>)</li> <li>1 x <a href="/download:6381255">cube_l.stl</a> (<em>yellow</em>, <em>detect thin walls</em>)</li> <li>1 x <a href="/download:6381256">prism_60deg.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>)</li> <li>2 x <a href="/download:6381278">plate_peg.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>)</li> <li>4 x <a href="/download:6381356">spoke_wheel3.stl</a> (<em>yellow</em>)</li> <li>1 x <a href="/download:6381350">steering_wheel.stl</a> (<em>yellow</em>, <em>support on build plate only</em>)</li> <li>6 x <a href="/download:6381263">connector_long.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>, <em>brim</em>)</li> <li>12 x <a href="/download:6381264">connector_short.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>, <em>brim</em>)</li> <li>4 x <a href="/download:6381265">peg.stl</a> (<em>silver</em>, <em>brim</em>)<br/> <em>All files and OpenSCAD sources are tracked on <a href="https://github.com/kbricks">GitHub</a>.</em></li> </ul> <h3>Print Settings</h3> <p><strong>Printer Brand:</strong> Prusa</p> <p><strong>Printer:</strong> i3 MK3</p> <p><strong>Rafts:</strong> No</p> <p><strong>Supports:</strong> No</p> <p><strong>Resolution:</strong> 0.15 mm</p> <p><strong>Infill:</strong> 20 %</p> <p><strong>Filament:</strong> Prusa PLA, PETG silver, yellow<br/> <strong>Notes:</strong></p> <h3>Additional settings</h3> <p>For some parts, specific print settings are required:</p> <ul> <li>Parts with <strong>cube</strong> in there name must be printed with option<em>Detect thin walls</em> enabled because they contain a thin embedded support structure that will not be printed otherwise.</li> <li><strong>Connectors</strong> and<strong>pegs</strong> should be printed with <em>brim</em> to increase the adhesion on the print plate.</li> <li><strong>Beams with peg </strong> (needed for steerings) should be printed with<em>Support on build plate only</em>.<br/> I strongly recommend to put <strong>glue</strong> on the print plate if you observe <strong>warping</strong>, i.e. if corners of parts lift or the entire parts detach from the build plate.</li> </ul> <h3>Post-Printing</h3> <p>Some parts are printed with a thin embedded support structure that needs to be removed after printing. This <a href="https://youtu.be/IWulSZqhvvo">video</a> shows how.</p>