A Robot

How to make a poseable robot figure using BlocksCAD and then 3d print it.

Supplies

3d Printer

BlocksCAD

Step 1: The Basics

The figure is made up of two basic shapes .

These being Sphere, Cylinder and Cube.

These shapes will be manipulated changing size, ratio and position.

To simplify the process further, one and and one leg will be created as modules.

These modules will then be used with suitable passing parameters to create the other arm and leg.

During the creation of the figure the layout of the individual elements have to be considered.

In this case the main consideration is that there will be no support elements required during printing.

That the figure will be printed flat and complete in one operation.

Once printed it can be assembled without recourse to gluing, screws or bolts.

Step 2: The Head

We will start with the head.

This is made up of three parts; cube, cylinder and sphere.

The cube is the head, the cylinder the neck and the sphere is the articulated connection to the body.

Sphere will be used as the articulated connection point for all the limbs.

This is orientated with the head down and the neck up to facilitate easy of printing.

Step 3: The Torso

Next the Torso

This is a rectangle with negative connection points to attach the head, arms and legs.

The Negative connection points are made up of cylinders and cubes which are cut out of the torso using the Difference object.

Step 4: Arms

We have a Torso now we want to add arms

The arms are made up of 3 parts, upper arm, lower arm and hand.

These are created in a module to enable duplication simply by changing passing parameters.

Each of the three parts of the arm are made up of the same basic elements sphere and cube.

Each part of the arm require articulation points both positive and negative.

The shoulder needs a right angle articulation point whilst the hand uses a truncated rectangle and off centre cylinder.

Step 5: Legs

To the Torso we then add the legs

The legs are made up of 3 parts, upper leg, lower leg and foot.

These are created in a module to enable duplication simply by changing passing parameters.

Each of the three parts of the leg are made up of the same basic elements sphere and cube.

Each part of the leg require articulation points both positive and negative.

The foot needs a right angle articulation point forming the ankle.

Step 6: Putting It All Together

Once we have created the required elements, all that is required is to put them all together.

Load the first part of the code for the head then import the remaining parts.

Once the code is complete Render the object using High Smoothing.

Generate the OBJ file.

It can then be sliced using your favourite slicer prior to 3d printing.

Printing details and the OBJ file are available at the following link: 3d_Files