Shapeways Custom Lego Parts

[Junpei]

Or have you seen that guys other things?

Yes, I saw those, very interesting. I might be interested in a 24t shell gear...

[TasV]

I forgot to mention the file is in SketchUp format (SU 8... haven't got 2013 on my computer yet) and to get it to Shapeways it needs to be exported as an STL.

[jantjeuh]

Gekke Ted: did you order that planetary gear?

[Jim]

I forgot to mention the file is in SketchUp format (SU 8... haven't got 2013 on my computer yet) and to get it to Shapeways it needs to be exported as an STL.

I've also got version 8

Gekke Ted: did you order that planetary gear?

Nope! Just the parts I linked earlier.

[TasV]

I'm uploading as we speak... will be interesting to see how much it ends up costing too.

EDIT: WOW! $27.17 with shipping to Australia for two 1x4 liftarms in strong & flexible polished material (white)! We get so screwed here in Australia with postage from the O/S. It's crazy.

Edited September 12, 2013 by TasV

[Jim]

That's why I suggested to try out more parts

The shipping will probably remain the same.

I can try them for you, which will be cheaper. But you need to rely on my review

Do you have a link to your part?

[sanjy009]

Hello,

I found this forum after my blog post about making my own holonomic wheels was featured here:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=86665&hl=%2Bthings...+%2Bsteering+%2Bquestion+%2Bsomething+%2Bawesome+%2Bcame+%2Bacross

I’ve done lots of 3D printing of my own custom LEGO, and Shapeways is the best I’ve found. 3D printers like Makerbot and Up! with ABS and PLA are good, but don’t quite have the resolution or tolerance yet to match with real LEGO. Shapeways “White Strong and Flexible” is sintered nylon dust, so the resolution is much better but it isn’t as strong as ABS, especially considering any 3D printed part is only about 30-40% as strong as an injection moulded part. It’s fairly expensive too at the moment.

3D printing is best suited for prototyping, and really good for casting. Anyway, you can see all my experiments and iterations with 3D printed LEGO here. I’d like to hear what you think: http://idintern.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/lego-holonomic-wheel/

Last week I bought the Mindstorms EV3 and I’ve ordered some more motors from Bricklink, so soon I’ll get the robot updated, but for now it’s a RCX 2.0:

[TasV]

Um... yep... just worked out how to make it public. Try this link: https://www.shapeways.com/model/1340735/1x4legoliftarm.html?li=my-models&materialId=62 I'm not sure why there are lines on the SW render because there are none on the 3D file I made. Maybe they reduce the resolution for web use???

Jim, your review would be excellent. I hope it works because I have this really cool idea for extendable liftarms too.

Sanjy... some of my students put me onto Shapeways but your blog is what inspired me to try it for myself. I think what you have done is amazing.

Edited September 12, 2013 by TasV

[Jim]

Um... yep... just worked out how to make it public. Try this link: https://www.shapeway...s&materialId=62

"Sorry, you don't have permission to perform this action."

Guess it's still not public.

[Burf2000]

If anyone wants to send me some parts for testing :) (worth a try) Some very interesting bits out there!

[TasV]

Ok... try this then... it now says I've made it public *shrugs*

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1340735/1x4legoliftarm.html?li=my-models&materialId=62

Jim, if you have PayPal send me your email address and I'll reimburse you the cost of buying the parts and shipping.

EDIT: Oh.. and I'm not happy about having it public and available for sale like this before testing so if you can please let me know when you've got it I will change the settings back to private until a full assessment is available.

Edited September 12, 2013 by TasV

[Jim]

If anyone wants to send me some parts for testing :) (worth a try) Some very interesting bits out there!

Let me know what you are interested in, so I can see what I can do.

Ok... try this then... it now says I've made it public *shrugs*

https://www.shapeway...s&materialId=62

Jim, if you have PayPal send me your email address and I'll reimburse you the cost of buying the parts.

It's working! Shall I try Premium Silver for 68 euros?

[TasV]

Funny... I'd prefer the default materials LOL

[Burf2000]

I have already reviews some metal parts, that were very impressive, so if anyone does want me to test out the parts, put them in a model or something do let me know, I generally youtube my results :)

[Jim]

If the costs for sending an envelope to Australia aren't that high, I could send them to you after reviewing them. If Border Security will let them through

[Burf2000]

If the costs for sending an envelope to Australia aren't that high, I could send them to you after reviewing them. If Border Security will let them through

If your happy with that Jim, Oh mate, long time no speak, what have I missed, Any robots?

[TasV]

I hope they wash all that white powder off them then ;) Those Lego Dogs at the airport would have a field day!

[Jim]

Are there any parts some of you are particularly interested in? I might add those to my order.

If your happy with that Jim, Oh mate, long time no speak, what have I missed, Any robots?

Hehe. As usual, more talk than building

Off topic:

I have a Wall-EV3 with Wheels WIP, which I will hope to have working by the end of this month. I am very busy with other stuff as well, so I lack some time.

On topic:

I could already send you two of these! If you are interested PM me.

I hope they wash all that white powder off them then ;) Those Lego Dogs at the airport would have a field day!

[Burf2000]

Lego Double Connector, Lego-compatible 40-teeth ring,The Original Bitbeam,

[sanjy009]

Sanjy... some of my students put me onto Shapeways but your blog is what inspired me to try it for myself. I think what you have done is amazing.

Thank you very much. The biggest learning from the (unfinished) project for me is how well made LEGO is and how good their tolerances are, almost too hard and costly to copy, unless you have a specific modification or custom piece in mind.

[TasV]

Even better that you're an Aussie

I've made my models private for the time being until they are more fully tested.

[TasV]

Jim, is this you? https://www.shapeways.com/model/156405/lego-test.html?li=user-profile&materialId=6

[Jim]

No it's not me, but that's indeed the part I ordered.

[TasV]

Ahhhhh... ok. I thought you designed it as well. If your offer to test these parts I designed still stands can you please PM me? I will make them available to purchase for a short time and then close them off again. I will reimburse your purchase, in that strong/flexible polished material I think... maybe the high detail stuff... what do you think... and shipping costs via PayPal if you have an account. I refuse to pay nearly $20 postage for $3 parts. It's actually cheaper to have someone in The Netherlands purchase the parts and then have them on-posted to Australia.

Check out this part I just found: http://www.shapeways.com/model/994045/air-bottle-cap.html?li=search-results&materialId=6 . Seems like an interesting idea. The issue I have with a lot of these parts is that it is really easy to make the files but so many are untested and remain so until some unsuspecting person buys them and finds they are not up to specifications (as Sanjy found in trying to match Lego's tolerances).

[Surly]

What about the gearbox pieces people are always talking about?

Various floating gears?

cheers

Surly