Andrew Panasyuk Mechatronics Engineer
Foldabot V2
Personal Project, 2016-2020
I designed, built, iterated upon and still use this foldable 3D printer.
During high school I found that I loved 3D printing but I tended not to have a machine nearby when I needed it most. I decided to create a collapsible 3D printer that I could transport and set up at school, work, robotics competition, etc. for on-demand 3D printing.
Foldabot V2 is the latest complete iteration of this design, including a magnetic heated bed, Volcano high-flow hotend, bed leveling sensor, and 200x200x180mm build volume. Within seconds, the printer can be collapsed to a height of 70mm for convenient transport within a suitcase.
Foldabot V2 in its printing (L) and folded (R) configurations.
Never show all the sketches at once...
Highlight 1 - Master Sketch Modeling
I designed Foldabot in SOLIDWORKS using a master sketch modeling approach. This method allows me to lay out each of the dozens of moving of the printer at a simplified sketch-based level.
Using sketches, 3D sketches, and sketch relations I designed the entirety of the folding motion and part interfaces in a single file. This file is used as the seed for each part in the assembly (top down modeling), creating a fully parametric assembly based on the master sketch.
I can change the bed size (the very first sketch) in the master file from 203x203 to 220x220 mm, and the final printer assembly will rebuild accordingly!
Highlight 2 - Singing Printer
Yes, it prints!
The model being printed at right has unusually high resolution, with surface detail far finer than any FDM 3D printer can reproduce. This can lead to jittering and stuttering with 8-bit boards like the one in Foldabot. While this problem can be resolved in the slicer software with no change in quality of the printed part, it can lead to amusing sounds.
Foldabot V2 singing while printing a big hand?
Highlight 3 - Use As Intended
I've used Foldabot for printing at home, and far from home. Many of the projects documented here on my website have parts printed on Foldabot V2. Here are a few examples:
Foldabot V2 relaxing on the table with a snack and a coffee during the PUDLE competition in Hampton, VA.
Foldabot V2 printed parts for the Mars Rover Drive project in the Capstone lab while we toiled away alongside it.
Emergency redesign part printed in the NASA Langley hangar for PAWES during the competition setup day. Foldabot V1 printed this one, as well as all other parts on PAWES.
Highlight 4 - Design Iteration
Foldabot V2 is a design evolution of my original folding design, Foldabot V1.
It has a spool holder, enclosed power supply and control board, a larger build volume, bed leveling sensor, and more. It occupies less than half the volume of Foldabot V1 in their folded configurations!
Foldabot V1 completing a part for PAWES.
Further Detail
I started my 3D printing journey with a broken Prusa Mendel i2 that my dad passed to me in high school. I taught myself how to use a slicing software and printer control interface, then started using the machine once I got it fixed up.
Obligatory ancient whistle print.
A Prusa Mendel i2, my first printer.