Magnetic Boards 3D-Printing Guides 2.0

This page walks you through printing and assembling the different designs related to the magnetic boards. If you have any questions feel free to message me on Patreon and I'm happy to help.

Printing Guide for the Hex Tiles

The files for the Magnetic Hex Boards can be found in the Singularity Games Shop.

In each tiles download folder you will find two files for the hex tiles: Loose Tol & Tight Tol.

The difference between the tight and loose options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing two of the tight fit files. It takes a bit of pressure to get them to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two halves wont come apart allowing a magnet to escape. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the loose fit option.

Printing the Hexes:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The hexes were designed to be as easy to print as possible. You'll want to print the hex with the flat face against the build plate. The file need no supports. When printing, make sure you have good bed adhesion, you don't want the edges to curl up. I didn't need to print with a brim, but it could help.

Adding Magnets to the Hex tiles:

I recommend printing and using the Hex Assembler included in the download folder, however you can also put the hexes together without it.

Check out the video to the left to see me adding magnets to a hex tiles using three different methods.

Assembling the hex tiles without any other tools: First add the center magnet to one half-hex and place the other half-hex into the cavities of the other one, but don't snap the pieces together yet. Holding the hex rotate it while adding magnets into each magnet spot along each edge. Maintain some pressure between the hex halves to hold them together. When all of the magnets are in place, snap the two halves together. I find it can help to place the hex on a table and press down on it with your palm.

Magnet Locations for the 1-inch Hex Tiles

The hex is designed for a total of seven 3mm ball magnets (1 center and 6 edge magnets).

Magnet Locations for the 1.25-inch Hex Tiles

WIP

Magnet Locations for the 1.5-inch Hex Tiles

The 1.5-inch hex tile is designed for a total of nineteen 3mm ball magnets (1 center and 18 edge magnets) for a strong connection. Alternatively, you could use 1 magnet on each edge rather than 3.

Magnet Locations for the 2-inch Hex Tiles

WIP

Printing Guide for the Square Tiles

The files for the Magnetic Square Boards can be found in the Singularity Games Shop.

In each tiles download folder you will find two files for the hex tiles: Loose Tol & Tight Tol.

Printing the Tiles:

I've printed the tiles in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The tiles were designed to be as easy to print as possible. You'll want to print the tiles with the flat face against the build plate. The tiles need no supports. When printing, make sure you have good bed adhesion, you don't want the edges to curl up. I didn't need to print with a brim, but it could help.

Adding Magnets to the Square tiles:

I recommend printing and using the Tile Assembler included in the download folder, however you can also put the tiles together without it.

Check out the video to the left to see me adding magnets to hex tiles using three different methods. The procedure is very similar for the square tiles although the number of magnets are different.

Assembling the tiles without any other tools: First add the center magnet to one half-hex and place the other half-hex into the cavities of the other one, but don't snap the pieces together yet. Holding the hex rotate it while adding magnets into each magnet spot along each edge. Maintain some pressure between the hex halves to hold them together. When all of the magnets are in place, snap the two halves together. I find it can help to place the hex on a table and press down on it with your palm.

Magnet Locations for the 1-inch Square Tiles

The 1-inch square tile is designed for a total of five 3mm ball magnets (1 center and 4 edge magnets).

Magnet Locations for the 1.25-inch Square Tiles

WIP

Magnet Locations for the 1.5-inch Square Tiles

The 1.5-inch square tile is designed for a total of thirteen 3mm ball magnets (1 center and 12 edge magnets).

Magnet Locations for the 2-inch Square Tiles

The 2-inch square tile is designed for a total of seventeen 3mm ball magnets (1 center, 12 edge, and 4 quadrant magnets).

Printing Guide for the 1-Inch Disc

The files for the Magnetic 1-Inch Disc can be found in the Singularity Games Shop:

1-inch disc

You will find two files: Loose Tol -1 Inch Disc.obj & Tight Tol - 1 Inch Disc.obj

1-Inch Disc

The difference between the tight and loose options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing two of the tight fit files. It takes a bit force to get them to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two halves wont come apart allowing the magnet to escape. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the loose fit option.

Printing the Discs:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The discs were designed to be as easy to print as possible. You'll want to print the discs with the flat face against the build plate. The file need no supports. When printing, make sure you have good bed adhesion, you don't want the edges to curl up. I didn't need to print with a brim, but it could help.

Adding Magnets to the 1-Inch Disc:

Place the magnet into the center hole of one of the disc halves, then align the other half and place it on top. Press down on the disc until the two halves snap together. They should have a tight fit without much if any gap at the seam between the two parts.

Printing Guide for the Magnetic Pawn

The files for the Magnetic Pawn can be found in the Singularity Games Patron Drive -> Singularity Boards -> Magnetic Hex Board -> Magnetic Hex Board V2-> Magnetic Pawn folder.

In the folder you will find four files: Loose Tol - pawn body.obj, Loose Tol - pawn mag plug.obj, Tight Tol - pawn body.obj & Tight Tol - pawn mag plug.obj

The difference between the tight and loose options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing the tight fit files. It takes a bit force to get them to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two pieces wont come apart. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the loose fit option.

Printing the Pawns:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The pawns were designed to be as easy to print as possible. They should print without supports.

Installing the magnet:

Place the magnet into the Pawn Mag Plug and then press the Pawn Body down onto it until it snaps into place. I find a little rocking motion can help.

Printing Guide for the Magnetic Stones

The files for the Magnetic Stone can be found in the Singularity Games Patron Drive -> Singularity Boards -> Magnetic Hex Board -> Magnetic Stones folder.

In the folder you will find three files: Loose Tol - stone.obj, Tight Tol - stone.obj & Extra Tight Tol - stone.obj

The difference between the options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing two of the extra tight fit file. It takes a bit force to get them to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two pieces wont come apart. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the other fit option.

Printing the Stones:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The pawns were designed to be as easy to print as possible. Print them with the posts facing upwards. They should print without supports.

Installing the magnet:

Place the magnet into the center hole of one of the stone halves, then orient the other half and place it on top. Press down on the stone until the two halves snap together. They should have a tight fit without much if any gap at the seam between the two parts.

Printing Guide for the 1.5-Inch Hex Rings

The files for the Magnetic Stone can be found in the Singularity Games Patron Drive -> Singularity Boards -> Magnetic Hex Board -> 1.5 inch Hex Ring.

In the folder you will find two files: Loose Tol - 1.5 inch hex ring standard.obj, Tight Tol - 1.5 inch hex ring standard.obj. You will also find additional files labeled Yinsh that have a wider inner diameter making the rings compatible with the discs in the game Yinsh.

The difference between the options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing two of the tight tol files. It takes a bit force to get them to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two pieces wont come apart. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the other fit option.

Printing the Rings:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The rings were designed to be as easy to print as possible. Print them with the posts facing upwards. They should print without supports.

Installing the magnet:

Place one magnet into each middle hole on each edge of the hex ring. It can help to place the ring on top of a magnetic hexes to help hold the magnets in place. Then, orient the other ring half and place it on top. Press down on the hex ring until the two halves snap together. They should have a tight fit without much if any gap at the seam between the two parts.

Printing Guide for the 1-inch Hex Ring & 1.5-inch Circle Ring

The files for the Magnetic Stone can be found in the Singularity Games Patron Drive -> Singularity Boards -> Magnetic Hex Board -> 1 inch Hex Ring or 1.5 inch Circle Ring.

In each folder you will find two versions: Loose Tol and Tight Tol.

In the Circle Ring Folder, you will also find additional files labeled Yinsh that have a wider inner diameter and a taller height that matches the rings included in Yinsh.

Printing the Rings:

I've printed the files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The rings were designed to be as easy to print as possible. Print them with the posts facing upwards. They should print without supports.

Installing the magnets:

Place one magnet into the holes on each side of the pegs. There should be an open hole or a peg between each magnet. It can help to place the ring on top of a magnetic hexes to help hold the magnets in place. Then, orient the other ring half and place it on top. Press down on the hex ring until the two halves snap together. They should have a tight fit without much if any gap at the seam between the two parts.

Printing Guide for Tile Assemblers

The 3D-printing files for each assembler are included with the hex and square tiles found in the Singularity Games Patreon Shop.

This guide walks through printing, building, and using the 1.5-inch hex assembler, however the procedures are same for the hex and square assemblers.

In the assembler folder you will find four files for each assembler in two tolerances: Loose and Tight. The difference between the tolerance options are how tight the snap fit is. Start by printing the tight fit files. It takes a bit force to get the plunger parts to snap together, however the tight fit ensures that the two pieces wont come apart. If your printer can't print with high enough tolerances, then try printing the other fit option.

Hex Holder

Hex Plate

Plunger Base

Plunger Handle

Printing the Assembler:

I've printed the assembler files in PLA with a Bambu Labs X1C using a 0.4 mm nozzle and a 0.2 mm layer height.

The parts should print without supports. Print each file with the flat surface facing the build plate.

Building and Using the Hex Assembler to Assemble Hexes

Check out the adjacent video to see me building and using the hex assembler to put hex tiles together. The process is the same for the 1-inch and 1.5 inch hexes. You can also follow along with the instructions below.

Installing the magnets in the plunger:

Place magnets into each of the small holes of the plunger base and then place the plunger handle on top aligning the posts to the three large holes. Press down on the plunger handle until the two parts snap together.

Place the Plunger in the holder.

Add half a hex.

Place the plate over the hex with the plate cavity facing down.

The plate has a side that is flat and one that has a concave hex cut out. This concave hex fits over the center of the hex held in the assembler.

Add a magnet to each hole in the plate.

The magnets should snap into place given their attraction to the magnets embedded in the plunger.

Remove the plate.

The magnets should stay in place thanks to their attraction to the magnets embeded in the plunger. If some do pop out you can usually press them back into place with your finger.

Add the other half-hex.

Make sure the hexes are correctly aligned to each other.

Replace the plate with the flat side towards the hex.

Place the assembler on a flat surface and press the plunger down.

It should take a bit of force to get the two halves to snap together. The assembler helps ensure that the force is applied evenly across the hex when its being snapped together.