kbricks construction system
kbricks (pronounced "kay-bricks") is a fully 3d-printable, open source construction system. It allows for building stable models that don't fall into pieces when playing with them. kbricks parts can be printed with almost any state-of-the-art 3d printer.
This repository contains the core parts of the construction system.
Available parts
There are three fundamental types of parts that make up the kbricks construction system: cubes, plates, and beams. Parts are connected by two types of connectors: slide connectors and pegs. Furthermore, there are wheels, gears, axles, steerings, and icing parts which make the models look nice.
STL files of all available kbricks parts can be found in the stl folders of this repository. The parts are organized into the following categories:
Available models
kbricks makes it easy to design your own models. Examples models and construction manuals are available in the kbricks-models repository.
Printing instructions
All parts can be printed using virtually any state-of-the-art 3d printer. For our tests, the Prusa i3 MK3 was used. Recommended materials are PLA and PETG with a layer height of 0.15 mm. All parts are printed without support but for some parts, specific print settings are required:
- Cubes contain a thin embedded support structure that needs to be removed after printing. Option Detect thin walls needs to be checked in the slicer software to allow for printing these structures. This video shows how to remove the embedded support.
- Connectors should be printed with brim to increase the adhesion on the print plate.
- Beams with peg (needed for steerings) should be printed with Support on build plate only.
Assembling models
Models are assembled by connecting its parts with slide connectors and pegs. A hex key may be helpful for inserting the slide connectors. This video (2 min) shows how to assemble a simple kbricks model. The following list shows the number of instances, recommended color, and specific print settings for each of the parts that is making up the model:
- 1 x cube_basic.stl (silver, detect thin walls)
- 2 x cube_2hole.stl (silver, detect thin walls)
- 1 x cube_l.stl (yellow, detect thin walls)
- 1 x prism_60deg.stl (silver)
- 2 x plate_peg.stl (silver)
- 4 x spoke_wheel3.stl (yellow)
- 1 x steering_wheel.stl (yellow, support on build plate only)
- 6 x connector_long.stl (silver, brim)
- 12 x connector_short.stl (silver, brim)
- 4 x peg.stl (silver, brim)
Disassembling models
To disassemble a kbricks model, simply pull out the slide connectors using a needle-nosed pliers or push them out using a hex key. Pegs can be pushed out using an axle.
Licenses
- kbricks by Robert Kern is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial - Share Alike license.
- kbricks was designed using the OpenSCAD 3D CAD modeller licensed under General Public License version 2.
- kbricks Gears use the Gears Library for OpenSCAD by janssen86 licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial - Share Alike license.