Introduction: 3D Printed- Theo Jansen Mechanism Steps
***Note: I have to finish the very last bits and this instructable will be fully complete.
In this step by step tutorial, I will be showing you how to construct your very own Theo Jansen Mechanism, using the CAD Drawing file as your guide and the .stl files that are provided.
In this step by step tutorial, I will be showing you how to construct your very own Theo Jansen Mechanism, using the CAD Drawing file as your guide and the .stl files that are provided.
Step 1: Parts List
Materials:
-Theo Jansen Leg Kit (the provided .stl files)
-(x9) 1' x 3/32in stainless steel rods
-(x1) 1' x 3/16in stainless steel rod
- Wax paper
- J-B Kwik (or any J-B weld product will do, but this is faster)
- Tooth Picks
Tools:
- 3D Printer ( I am currently using a Dimension uPrint 3D Printer)
*Note: With the 3D Printer, its assumed you are using some sort of interpreter software. I am using the program that came with the printer: CatalystEX
- Hack saw
- Vice
- Sand paper / Sander (to clean the burrs off the rods)
- Hot glue gun
- Sharpie
- Ruler or Steel Rule
Theo Jansen Leg Kit:
Also stated in the CAD Drawing PDF, the kit requires you to print out:
*Note: This is PER LEG! I am printing out 6 legs so that there is always 2 sets of legs always touching the ground
at all times. You may print this set out for a demonstration model, or times all these numbers by however many
legs you want.
- (x4)TheoJansenA
- (x2)TheoJansenB
- (x2)TheoJansenC
- (x2)TheoJansenE
- (x2)TheoJansenF
- (x4)TheoJansenG
- (x2)TheoJansenH
- (x2)TheoJansenI
- (x4)TheoJansenJ
- (x4)TheoJansenK
- (x8)TheoJansen Washer
- (x2)TheoJansen Rotating Bar
-Theo Jansen Leg Kit (the provided .stl files)
-(x9) 1' x 3/32in stainless steel rods
-(x1) 1' x 3/16in stainless steel rod
- Wax paper
- J-B Kwik (or any J-B weld product will do, but this is faster)
- Tooth Picks
Tools:
- 3D Printer ( I am currently using a Dimension uPrint 3D Printer)
*Note: With the 3D Printer, its assumed you are using some sort of interpreter software. I am using the program that came with the printer: CatalystEX
- Hack saw
- Vice
- Sand paper / Sander (to clean the burrs off the rods)
- Hot glue gun
- Sharpie
- Ruler or Steel Rule
Theo Jansen Leg Kit:
Also stated in the CAD Drawing PDF, the kit requires you to print out:
*Note: This is PER LEG! I am printing out 6 legs so that there is always 2 sets of legs always touching the ground
at all times. You may print this set out for a demonstration model, or times all these numbers by however many
legs you want.
- (x4)TheoJansenA
- (x2)TheoJansenB
- (x2)TheoJansenC
- (x2)TheoJansenE
- (x2)TheoJansenF
- (x4)TheoJansenG
- (x2)TheoJansenH
- (x2)TheoJansenI
- (x4)TheoJansenJ
- (x4)TheoJansenK
- (x8)TheoJansen Washer
- (x2)TheoJansen Rotating Bar
Step 2: Origional Design
Where I found my dimensions was on this image. I used these dimensions and scaled the legs to what i wanted. Then I plotted the ligaments to where I wanted them and made two "Legs" that would be able to connect with each other on the crank shaft. I will refer to this design as a leg, and the two sets of legs as an Assembly. The whole final project I will call the Mechanism.
*Note: I replace letter "D" with "A", and I leave out letter "L". Letter "M" is titled "Rotating Bar"
*Note: I replace letter "D" with "A", and I leave out letter "L". Letter "M" is titled "Rotating Bar"
Step 3: 3D Printing!
In this step, I will show you how to 3D Print your kit using CatalystEX. This step may not apply to you if you do not own this program or have a Dimension uPrint 3D Printer, so you can skip this step if you want. I would read over this though for your own personal reference on certain setting I have for resolution and for scaling.
*Note: The steps have no particular order in this program, so I will have them posted on the photos themselves.
*Note: The steps have no particular order in this program, so I will have them posted on the photos themselves.
Attachments
Step 4: Cutting the Joints
In this step we will be cutting the rods for the Leg joints and the Crank Shaft Assembly.
-(step1) First, take your ruler and line it up with your 3/32" rod
-(step2) Next, mark 1-1/4" with a sharpie on the rod
-(step3) Clamp the rod into the vice
-(step4) Lightly take the hack saw and pull back on the mark, then lift up and keep pulling back until you establish a path to cut
-(step5) Proceed in cutting the joint
-(step6) Repeat "steps 1-5" 5 times, in total you should have '(x5) 1-1/4" x 3/32" rod'
-(step7) use same process and measure out the following:
*(x2) 1" x 3/32"
*(x1) 1-1/2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2-1/2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2-3/4" x 3/32"
*(x6) 5/8" x 3/16"
*(x2) 1" x 3/16"
-(step1) First, take your ruler and line it up with your 3/32" rod
-(step2) Next, mark 1-1/4" with a sharpie on the rod
-(step3) Clamp the rod into the vice
-(step4) Lightly take the hack saw and pull back on the mark, then lift up and keep pulling back until you establish a path to cut
-(step5) Proceed in cutting the joint
-(step6) Repeat "steps 1-5" 5 times, in total you should have '(x5) 1-1/4" x 3/32" rod'
-(step7) use same process and measure out the following:
*(x2) 1" x 3/32"
*(x1) 1-1/2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2-1/2" x 3/32"
*(x1) 2-3/4" x 3/32"
*(x6) 5/8" x 3/16"
*(x2) 1" x 3/16"
Step 5: Assembling the Leg
For this step, follow the photos in order.
You can achieve this step too by using the schematic and assembling it your own way as well.
You can achieve this step too by using the schematic and assembling it your own way as well.