Magnetic Travel Chess

thingiverse

MAGNETS, MAGENTS, MAGENTS!!!!! Order them now, because you will need at least 104 to make this chessboard and pieces! Designed in Sketchup, sliced with Slic3r, and printed on Prusa Mk2 (currently only single extruder until the 4 color arrives :O). This is my first design, so here goes..... Magnets - Designed around 1/4" rare earth magnets as found here: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32065&cat=1,42363,42348. I have ordered some cheaper ones from Asia, and may remix to fit in the future. Tiles - Start with a test print of the tiles to get your magnet dimensions correct. Remix the cylinder as required to fit, and note the dimensions as you will need them later. Once snug fit achieved, mass produce 32 of each color. I have cranked the Z-axis adjust on my printer high for bed adhesion, so I print them cavity up without support to make clean-up easier, and tops are still smooth. However your choice... Once printed insert magnets in cavity, and have fun stacking them up! At this point you also need to decide on your magnet orientation for the bases. Red dot up always up worked for me. Bases - Remix magnet cylinder as required and test print. Again you will need a magnet insertion point as determined by your slicer. At 0.20mm mine is at 3.10mm. Note in your slicer where the cavities get covered over, and manually pause the print to insert the magnets, or send your file here and have a filament change do the work: http://www.prusaprinters.org/color-print/. Print one to confirm process and test fit, then mass produce each side. (I have found the "hips" a little long for the mini-figs, so I use the slicer to "cut" off the top 1.2mm, but you can use a knife to do it manually) Practice the filament "change" / reinsertion on a base before you do the one on the board after a 9 hour print! Watch your magnet orientation.... Fit your favourite (or your children's least favourite that they will part with) mini-figs, and you have some players. Board - You will need two copies of the board. I like the detail of 0.20mm, however I have printed the hinge in another project at 0.35mm so it should work as well. There are four (4) magnet cavities in the board to hold it closed with the pieces inside. Again, remix the cylinders as required with same dimensions. At 0.20mm, my changes are at 24.30mm (~9 hours) and 29.20mm (~10 hours). I found starting the print late at night, and inserting magnets in the morning works well. NOTE THE ORIENTATION OF THE MAGNETS, AS TWO NEED TO BE UP AND TWO DOWN PER BOARD SIDE. I print face down with supports, which requires some cleaning. Go slow and use a knife...One hinge seems to print with support, and the other without, but they will both be fine. Clean-up the inside of the hinge with a small drill bit twirling it by HAND, and run a piece of filament through it a couple of times to clean it out. Ensure the board side under hinge is clean so that the board opens completely. Once clean snap the tiles on the top, and board is complete. If tiles do not fit properly, trim the squares on the board carefully with a knife. Fit is firm, but don't force it! You may need to smooth the filament lines on the hinges to get a good operating board. Hats - While the bases are marked with the position and are of different heights, I have found it is still a little hard to distinguish the positions for young children. Replace the mini-fig hats with this cool collection, and it becomes a little easier. I normally print upside down to get the fit tight to the head with the exception of the king's crown. FINAL NOTE: I would not recommend using Octopi with magnet insertion pieces. I lost a 9 hour print with 10 minutes left as I could not get the filament inserted quickly enough, and too many error messages were generated. Print from SD, and no chance of issues. Happy printing! Print Settings Printer Brand: Prusa Printer: Prusa Mk2 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 10% Notes: See instructions