One of the most exciting things about building 3D printers is seeing how our customers bring their ideas to life. Recently we have seen some remarkably creative projects posted to the LulzBot Forum, and we want to share them here on the LulzBot blog too!
Below you will find two different Batman Dark Knight-inspired props (a belt and an EMP toy weapon), as well as the early stages of a Bloodseeker costume.
Forum user RevolutionDesignFX uses a LulzBot TAZ 3D printer to design and make high quality replica props. The 3D printed Batman belt on the left is designed and printed using two methods.
First, the large buckle and belt links were printed on a LulzBot TAZ at .075mm layer height. Then RevolutionDesignFX took those prints and cast molds using the original 3D printed parts as 'master' models. Second, the main buckle was printed through a third party professional 3D printing service.
He explains that while there is a lot more to design and create, like the back of the belt and accessories, 'this was just (the) first proof of concept and (he is) quite happy with the results.' To follow this project, and many others, head over to the Revolution Design FX Facebook page!
Elsewhere on the forum, user Andy W created an ornate 3D printed EMP (electro magnetic pulse) toy weapon that includes a blue accent feature (the third photo on the left). However Andy W is quick to note that the handle is not printed and we want to note that this is not a functional device in any way—it is simply a prop.
One thing that jumps out about both of these project is that a LulzBot 3D printer is being used as a complementary tool in a creator's, or artists', workshop, and that with additional technologies and techniques there is a wide world of possibilities beyond what's possible with the printer itself.
Finally, our friend and sponsored cosplayer Bindi Smalls is documenting serious progress on her Bloodseeker costume on her blog. We're only going to share the highlights here, so if you want to learn more about her 3D printed Bloodseeker costume, head over to her website: bindismalls.com!
The pieces steep angles that can be difficult to print without support, especially with layers as thin as 2-4mm, so she split the STL file into a two-part print on the large TAZ print bed. After 3D printing the helmet with PLA plastic she used a soldering iron to 'weld' the pieces together by melting the plastic.
Bindi Smalls explains to do this by carefully, 'applying a small soldering tip to the back of the pieces, while the pieces are held together.'
For technique, she notes to use the soldering iron, 'softly and in quick strokes, so that you don't melt through to the other side of the part.' If there are gaps between the pieces, additional PLA filament can be used to bridge the gap.
There will be a visible seam between the parts, don't fret because in a forthcoming update she will walk through fixing that so you can have a professional finish on your part.
Lastly, she walks through filling gaps and finishing the surface on the parts using spackle and sanding. This isn't just for aesthetic purposes either! She notes, 'the better they feel at this point, the less work you'll have to do later.'
Beyond her website/blog, you can follow her on the Bindi Smalls Facebook page where she posted updated photos of the impressive arm swords that go with this Bloodseeker costume.
If you want to see this Bloodseeker costume in person, stay tuned because she recently posted that she will be sporting it on Saturday at AwesomeCon DC!
If you want to see more LulzBot-powered cosplay projects, check out the XRobots project where creator James Bruton is making a life-sized Iron Man MKVI costume, a Giger-style Alien costume, Mr. Fusion replica props (from Back to the Future 2), bipedal robots, functional boats, and much more.
Also be sure to check out Sox Cosplay and Props, where they're churning 3D printed shoes, a Riddler trophy from Arkham City, and salts bottles from Bioshock Infinite, to name a few.
