Parametric Lego Bricks

Parametric Modeling is a method of creating models with parameters applied to sketches within the Model. This is useful in a number of ways:

• Parametric Modeling can set limits to a sketch that constrain it within parameters that are actually usable.

• Parametric Modeling makes models easily scalable making the production of scaled versions of a product easy and time efficient.

• Parametric Modeling can create uniformity in a design that allows for easier integration of like parts.

In the image below you will see a screenshot of Fusion360 with a Parameters window open. Notice the color-coded values that have been assigned to each parameter and how they correspond to the colored lines on the model.

The biggest struggle with this project turned out to be the actual printing. The printer that I used for these prints seemed to have a lot of issues with it's print. I attempted this print 4 times and each time found myself stopping a fowled print and having to adjust something on the printer or the slicer.

After researching the several causes of the issues I was experiencing; I ended up cleaning the plate surface; adjusting the nozzle height several times; switching between different PLA filaments; adjusting the nozzle and plate temps; and adjusted the slicer properties.

This took up a lot of time and was pretty frustrating, but I did come away from the experience with better understanding of the print process

At a certain point I felt as though I had calibrated the printers I was using to a point that they seemed to operate correctly, at this point in the day I had to head home and leave the rest of the print to complete without supervision. 

I came in the next day to a mess. The printer in the last hour of its print had fowled and left a birds nest of filament across the plate disorienting some of the bricks I had programmed to print.

There were however a few complete bricks that showed some tell-tale evidence of the printer settings being incorrect.