Maker Faire Robot - Fixed

thingiverse

There are several versions of the Maker Faire robot floating around, but none of them manage to produce decent prints due to poor contact with the printbed - largely thanks to the curved back that's causing all sorts of issues. (Check out the "before" picture for a clear illustration of this problem.) What's even more frustrating is that neither of the official versions has all the necessary fixes in place, despite both having some workarounds. I decided to take matters into my own hands and combine the best of both worlds with a few additional tweaks. The result is a version that doesn't require any extra supports - a major improvement over its predecessors. I printed mine using PLA, but other materials should work just fine. Update: April 2019 Some users have been reporting problems getting the joints to move smoothly. (I haven't experienced this issue myself, and I attribute it to my trusty Prusa I3 printer, which always delivers top-notch prints.) To resolve this issue, you'll need to focus on two key areas: 1. Reducing stringing: This is crucial if you want your joints to move freely. 2. Printing overhangs without a hitch: Your printer's capabilities will play a significant role here. Different printers have varying levels of proficiency when it comes to these tasks, so you may need to fine-tune your slicer settings accordingly. If you're unsure where to start, I recommend printing out a 3D Benchy (available on Thingiverse) and following the video tutorial from Thomas Sanladerer or similar experts to optimize your slicer settings for reduced stringing and improved overhangs. Pay close attention to two specific areas: the front of the boat (where overhangs are at their most challenging) and the wheel house (where stringing tends to be a problem). If your Benchy prints out perfectly, you're probably good to go with printing the robot without any issues.