Portable Hypocycloid Drawing Kit

prusaprinters

<p>Have you ever wanted draw repeating geometric patterns at <i>any</i> time in <i>any</i> place?</p><p>No? Well, let's pretend you did...</p><p>This handheld print conveniently combines a drawing platform with a case for the gears and paper. It easily fits into a bag, pocket, or purse. As long as you have a pen, you're good to draw!</p><p>The base is designed with multiple levels. The bottom level holds the paper, the drawing gears, and, if you can find one, a small pen. The next level provides a flat, secure drawing surface; you can even make art while walking! The top level has the stationary gear teeth and holds the paper in place.</p><h3>Paper and Pen</h3><p>This kit is designed to use Post-It Notes as paper. It requires no paper cutting, and your finished pieces of art are already self-adhesive!</p><p>Almost any standard ballpoint pen can be used. A BIC pen was used for sizing, but the design works with every pen that I tested.</p><h3>Printing</h3><ul><li>Nozzle: 0.4 mm</li><li>Layer Height: 0.2 mm</li><li>Infill: at least 15% (20% or more recommended)</li><li>Vertical Shells: 3</li><li>Top/Bottom Layers: 5</li><li>Supports: No</li></ul><p>You'll need to print one <i>top</i>, <i>middle</i>, <i>bottom</i>, and <i>latch</i>. You can print as many gears as you want.</p><p>I added a new version of the top with 31 teeth (<strong>Top-V2.stl</strong>). It's untested, but should create more complex patterns.</p><p>For the <i>middle</i> layer, I suggest using 6 top/bottom layers and an infill of 25% at least. This will create a better drawing surface.</p><p>The hinge is simply a length of <strong>1.75mm</strong> filament. Make sure to cut one end to a steep angle.</p><h3>Assembly</h3><ol><li>Snap the <i>latch</i> into the holes on the front of the <i>bottom</i>.</li><li>Place the <i>middle</i> on top of the <i>bottom</i>. Be sure to pay attention to orientation: the square indent should be facing up.</li><li>Place the <i>top</i> on the <i>middle</i>. Be sure to line up the hinge.</li><li>Insert a straightened piece of <strong>1.75mm</strong> filament into the side of the hinge. Rotate the filament as it's being forced in.</li><li>Trim the excess filament from the hinge.</li><li>Lift the <i>top</i> and <i>middle</i> parts. Place gears and Post-Its paper into the <i>bottom</i>.</li></ol><h3>Tips</h3><p>If the surface texture of the <i>middle</i> part is creating a texture in the drawing:</p><ul><li>Reprint the part with "ironing" enabled</li><li>Use an extra Post-It note or two</li></ul><p>For the hinge assembly:</p><ul><li>The hinge is meant to be stiff. It can hold the case open.</li><li>You can <i>lightly</i> sand down the filament if it's too stiff.</li><li>Rotating the filament as it's inserted helps.</li><li>Cutting the end of the filament to a sharp angle helps too.</li><li>Make sure the case stays closed while inserting the filament.</li></ul><p>Make sure the entire case is snapped closed before drawing!</p>