3d printing Lego

[Gary Tolley - Grogyan]

Lego group is doing a test of 3d printing Lego pieces.

The Brick Fan: LEGO Reveals First 3D Printed Element - Wooden Duck - Available Only at LEGO House.

https://www.thebrickfan.com/lego-revealed-first-3d-printed-element-wooden-duck-available-only-at-lego-house/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lego-revealed-first-3d-printed-element-wooden-duck-available-only-at-lego-house

Are they potentially changing their policy of home 3d printing Lego compatible Generic Interlocking Bricks? 

[Joseph Larson]

Does it matter what their policy is? They have no right to enforce it.

Sorry, this is a topic that I did a deep dive in a little while ago when they took down some of my designs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryc2rWIzAyY&list=PLVybj_7VBHRKLh_HA6cheBP6nPmpx8pvH&index=2

TL:DW, they have the trademark to the "LEGO" brand and their red brick logo. they have the copyright on all their printed materials, and they still have patent on the minifig, but they have lost patent on the standard connector and measurements of the bricks. LEGO doesn't own the idea of legos anymore. So who cares what their policy is.

That said, parts of this are exciting because legos require incredible dimensional accuracy, that 3D printing generally can't accomplish repeatably. Because even if you can get your motor movement dialed in, you'd have to measure your filament extrusion or every filament will throw off the 0.05mm accuracy required. However, we've got a 3D printer that measures filament extrusions. The BambuLab Carbon X1. It can actually print legos. 

That said, I don't think they're using the carbon for this because (1) it just looks like a resin print (if it's not a full on render), and 2, it doesn't look like they're worried about the accuracy anyways because this one doesn't look like it has any studs on it whatsoever. Maybe there's a stud on the bottom. I don't know.

But you know what, I'd like to take a crack at modeling this myself. I'll bet I could do it.

[Gary Tolley - Grogyan]

Hey Joseph, 

I watched your video a few times now in the past several weeks. 

The original patent maybe expired, however TLG create new patents for different bricks.

Long ago there was a discussion I found that where TLG were working out whether additive manufacturing of Lego bricks was viable or not. This was like 30 years ago.

Much has changed since then.

This duck is an interesting insight into the thinking of TLG whether people can 3D print lego bricks that are no longer in circulation, or expensive via BrickLink

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "3D Printing Tips and Tricks" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to 3d-printing-tips--...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/3d-printing-tips--tricks/b39e8098-4d88-497f-8ad0-c3710ff99a14n%40googlegroups.com.

[Gary Tolley - Grogyan]

FDM printers should be able to print bricks at 0.1 tolerances

[Joseph Larson]

0.1 isn't tight enough for legos. They require 0.02mm, and 99% of them are within 0.001mm. And, as mentioned, it's repeatability that matters. You might dial in your 3D printer for one set, but then switch to silk PLA and tell me how it goes.

The only patent that Lego has that I know of is for their Minifig. The rest have expired.

[Vishal Pai]

One of the attributes of Legos is also the slight flex that contributes to the fit. This is partly done by adding ABS origin colored additives (Macrolex) as well as quick release additives for high pressure injection molding. The additives used in 3DP ABS filament are a little different for reducing warpage and better layer adhesion. 

I have dabbled in making a very Lego specific ABS blend filament however after all the costs it's unmarketable in the US market.

Vishal

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/3d-printing-tips--tricks/a12cb2d9-bd0c-44d4-bcfe-2c76642825c5n%40googlegroups.com.

[LukeH]

The best part about Lego and 3D printing isn’t that you can print exact copies of parts, but rather that you can scale them up to make large versions. :P

That said, I’ve had some limited success printing regular sized parts, but never in PLA - it is a terrible choice for this application. My best results (albeit from very limited testing) has been from PETG, since it gives some flex, which is essential to get the blocks to click together and not come apart, but better dimensional accuracy than 3D printed ABS.

I wonder if one of the stiffer flex materials might ultimately be a better choice?

[Neil MacGregor]

I've had reasonable success printing lego train tracks in PETG. They're a struggle to fit, a bit tight, but the train stays on the tracks.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/3d-printing-tips--tricks/2077a4b1-d7bc-4226-8746-5459927598a3n%40googlegroups.com.