Get Started
Print your first brick using the MachineBlocks LEGO® compatible STL generator
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1. Create STL Model
Choose an example and customize it according to your needs:
Press 'Full Render' and then 'Export STL' to download the STL file.
2. Import STL into Slicer Software
You can import the exported file into your slicer like any other STL file. Make sure you use the following settings:
-
Nozzle Diameter
0.4 mm -
Filament
PETG / PLA -
Layer Height
0.2 mm -
Supports
None -
Infill
15% -
Bed Temperature
High -
Nozzle Temperature
Max
We recommend using PRUSA PETG for printing, as it is resistant and flexible and at the same time very easy to print.
MachineBlocks recommends
3D Printers from PRUSA
3D Printers from PRUSA
Happy Printing :)
Troubleshooting
Here you find solutions for common problems.
The first layer does not adhere to the print surface
3d printed bricks have a very small contact area to the printing surface. It is therefore absolutely essential that the first layer has a strong connection to the plate.
Measures to increase first layer adhesion:
- Print the first layer at higher nozzle temperature
- Use a textured printing surface, e.g. a powder coated steel sheet
- Increase the bed temperature
- Decrease printing speed for first layer
- Use materials that are easy to print, such as PRUSA PETG
Author's note: I personally print the first layer at a much higher nozzle temperature than specified by the filament manufacturer. As a rule of thumb, the first layer should be printed so hot that the nozzle draws light strings but does not form bubbles. I print all further layers much colder, so that as few strings as possible are created.
The brick does not fit on other LEGO® bricks
Original LEGO® bricks are cast from relatively soft ABS plastic to an accuracy of a tenth of a millimeter. 3D printed bricks, on the other hand, are generally harder and have small irregularities or inaccuracies depending on the printer. Depending on the material and the nozzle temperature, the brick also contracts to varying degrees when it cools.
This makes it impossible to print the same STL model on different printers with different materials and still achieve the same accuracy of fit. Fortunately, these differences can be compensated for by calibrating certain parameters.
//Adjustment of the height (mm)
//Increase this value if the brick is lower than original LEGO® bricks
//Decrease this value if the brick is higher than original LEGO® bricks
baseHeightAdjustment = 0.0;
//Adjustment of each side (mm)
//Increase this value to reduce the gap between two bricks
//Decrease this value to increase the gap between two bricks
baseSideAdjustment = -0.1;
//Diameter of the knobs (mm)
//Increase this value to increase the diameter of the knobs
//Decrease this value to decrease the diameter of the knobs
knobSize = 5.0;
//Thickness of the walls (mm)
//Increase this value to increase the thickness of the walls
//Decrease this value to decrease the thickness of the walls
wallThickness = 1.5;
//Diameter of the Z-Tubes (mm)
//Increase this value to increase the diameter of the Z-Tubes
//Decrease this value to decrease the diameter of the Z-Tubes
tubeZSize = 6.4;
One or more corners bend upwards (warping)
During the cooling process, the printed brick contracts slightly. This creates tension in the material, which varies depending on the temperature and material. If the tensions are too great, this causes the corners to bend upwards, which is known as "warping".
Measures to avoid warping:
- Use materials that are known to warp little, such as PRUSA PETG
- Increase first layer adhesion
- Use a closed printer chamber
The brick tears off the print bed during printing
Tearing during printing can have various reasons. It is often a result of excessive warping, whereby the extruder eventually grazes the printed product and tears off. Improperly printed first layers as well as deposits and dirt on the nozzle can also lead to this.
Measures to avoid tearing:
- Make sure that the first layer has been printed correctly and completely and that it adheres well to the print bed
- Make sure there is no excessive warping
- Make sure there is no debris on the nozzle
The brick is very hard and quickly loses its clamping force
3D-printed bricks are generally harder than original LEGO bricks, regardless of the material used. However, there is a difference in flexibility depending on the material. We recommend using PRUSA PETG for printing, as it is more resistant and flexible than PLA and at the same time very easy to print.