Shapeways Custom Lego Parts

[TasV]

Some interesting ideas (though the resolution of some of the parts doesn't seem very high):

Technic GoPro attachment: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1302185/gopro-to-lego-beam-camera-mount.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

Trasmission Control Connector: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1113370/lego-transmission-gear-connector.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

Double Connector: http://www.shapeways.com/model/830091/lego-double-connector.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

Planetary gear housing plus hub: http://www.shapeways.com/model/890592/lego-compatible-40-teeth-ring-gear.html and http://www.shapeways.com/model/892180/lego-compatible-secondary-planet-gear-carrier.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

1x1 stud: http://www.shapeways.com/model/929098/lego-stud.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

gearbox cap: http://www.shapeways.com/model/929098/lego-stud.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

Bitbeam (???): http://www.shapeways.com/model/1301054/the-original-bitbeam.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

x-hole flat: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1304627/xhole-test-scad.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

so many more interesting things. Just search for Lego.

Edited September 11, 2013 by TasV

[jantjeuh]

Planetary gear looks interesting, but as you say the resolution seems to be quite lacking.

[TasV]

I was thinking I might try a few designs of my own and see what the quality is like.

[KopMaister]

YOU, my friend, are gonna revolutionize lego!

Send this to the lego company and get yourself a job there :P

[TasV]

These aren't my designs... these are designs I have just discovered on Shapeways that I found interesting... I haven't tried any yet. I'm thinking of it though. Anyone can do it quickly and easily.

[Marcel1980]

Its 3d printed.

this one is nice : http://www.shapeways.com/model/840688/lego-arduino-uno-mounting-brick-deluxe-version.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

Edited September 11, 2013 by Marcel1980

[TasV]

Yep... you can choose all kinds of different materials (like ceramic even???) and the different materials allow different resolutions/detail.

Edited September 12, 2013 by TasV

[Jim]

I was thinking I might try a few designs of my own and see what the quality is like.

Actually I have done this. The results were so so. Definitely usable, but not for all parts.

Let me look them up and share some pictures.

[TasV]

Did you use Shapeways?

[Jim]

Yes I did. Here's an example. Sorry for the bad quality. I will get a decent cam by the end of this year.

The material is a bit grainy. I have tried three different materials btw.

More images on BrickSafe

[TasV]

That's very cool!

[Jim]

That's very cool!

True!

Like I said, it's useable, but the material is a bit grainy and the sizes are a bit different. So they don't fit as well as original parts.

If the material would be a bit better, this would really be awesome. But it's not bad, not bad at all.

The planetary gear also clearly shows the graininess:

[TasV]

I wonder what this material would be like: http://www.shapeways.com/materials/detail

[Jim]

Problem is that not all materials can be chosen.

[TasV]

Your parts were printed in this material weren't they? http://www.shapeways.com/materials/strong-flexible

ABS plastic would be handy.

Edited September 11, 2013 by TasV

[Jim]

This one is the best of the three I tried:

White Strong & Flexible Polished

You parts were printed in this material weren't they? http://www.shapeways...strong-flexible

Yup

(and see my previous comment which is best )

[TasV]

I'm thinking I might test it out by printing this one I made:

[Jim]

I don't think you will be very pleased with that part, but still, you should give it a try!

When ordering, I would add some other parts as well. It's not that expensive and you have to pay for shipping anyway.

Something in the GoPro section would be cool for my EV3....hmmm

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1302185/gopro-to-lego-beam-camera-mount.html?li=search-results&materialId=6

[TasV]

I don't think you will be very pleased with that part

Based on the part, the materials, or the drawing? I'm not overly happy with the drawing and am redoing it at higher resolution and better quality when I get some spare time. The dimensions aren't very accurate in this drawing.

Edited September 11, 2013 by TasV

[landoandrews]

Hmmmm..... I'd be interested in some custom rims.

[Junpei]

I think custom rims is a bit too much to print, too thick. Has anyone seen this? It kinda looks like allanp's design:

Maybe a bit too big though.

[Alasdair Ryan]

Or have you seen that guys other things?

Edited September 12, 2013 by Alasdair Ryan

[Jim]

Hmmmm..... I'd be interested in some custom rims.

Funny that you mention this, because custom rims was the reason I tried Shapeways in the first place. I would also like to have different rims.

[Jim]

Based on the part, the materials, or the drawing? I'm not overly happy with the drawing and am redoing it at higher resolution and better quality when I get some spare time. The dimensions aren't very accurate in this drawing.

Based on the material. It's fine to use a part with technical function, like some sort of pin. But I am not sure about using it as a liftarm.

[TasV]

I've redone the liftarm file and think I will send it to them to see if they can do it and see if it's any good. It's much higher quality and I've drawn it so that each hole, and the rounded ends, is a modular unit so I can just stack them end to end to make them as long or as short as I want. The model was made in Google SketchUp. If anyone would like the file just PM me.

The drawing was based on this diagram:

Ref: http://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/2066/what-are-the-size-of-lego-technic-parts

Edited September 12, 2013 by TasV