Design is to be printed out in separate parts in the corresponding colors to eliminate the need to paint. This also allows everyone to be able to print this design regardless of what printer you are using.
I wanted to create my own Iron-Man figure that could be easily 3D printed and assembled. I have always loved the chibi style of artwork, which involves creating a figure with a large head and a small body. I think this chibi style works perfectly for Iron Man, creating a little mean cutie! Haha
I recently got some magnet-activated LED lights from Bambu Maker Supply and decided to incorporate one into the chest of this design. It’s totally up to you whether you would like to add it in or not. There are separate parts for the LEDs that can be printed out and added in place of the LEDs.
I even incorporated a way to replace the LED if ever needed. A small pin goes through the chest and sits behind the LED. To replace the chest LED, simply leave this piece unglued. Then, press on the shaft in the back of the design to pop it back out and replace it.
When I completed the smaller version of this design, I loved the LED added to his chest, but I thought I still needed another chance to improve. When creating the 215 larger scale, I made sure to add another LED in his raised open hand. Unfortunately, the size and shape of the smaller LEDs would not accommodate the smaller size in the design to add the LED in his hand
When assembled, the original size is about 154mm tall or a little over 6 inches. The 215 scale of this design stands 335mm tall or a bit over 13 inches when completely assembled
Printing…
It should be fairly simple. I designed all the red and gold parts to be printed out with silk filaments.
Unfortunately, his face plate must be ed when printing this piece out. I really wanted to eliminate the need for in the entire design, but given the complexity of Ironman’s iconic faceplate, I was unable to do so completely.
If you're running a higher-speed printer, slow the flow rate down when printing the Gold face plate; this will help eliminate some defects in the printing process and increase the shine of the silk filaments you're using.
In my test prints, the area toward the top of the face plate in the center did not come out as perfectly as I would have liked. However, I did find it easily cleaned up by applying a razor blade's edge to the area and shuffling it back and forth until the center flat was sanded into a straight edge.
Assembly…
Dry-fit everything in place before adding glue.
I highly recommend PLA Gloop, if you can get your hands on it.
PLA Gloop Website
Starbond Adhesives make a good CA or super glue alternative at a lower price point. I recommend the Medium or Thick formula. I would defiantly pick up some Accelerator if your planning on using the Thick formula.
There are a lot of parts to this design. I’m not going to sugarcoat that.
However, I painstakingly keyed all the parts differently and in such a fashion that it's practically impossible to assemble the wrong piece in an incorrect location. Most pieces print out with an internal key already incorporated into them to eliminate some assembly already.
All the right-side parts are keyed with different triangles, and all the left-side pieces are keyed with similar circles. The different keys for the arms and hands are close in size and shape, so be sure to DRY FIT everything before adding glue.
I will try and add a parts diagram for the arms and legs in the picture files for this design if it helps.
I recommend starting the assembly with the feet and working your way toward the top of the body. Complete the arm assemblies separately, then add them to the finished body and legs. Lastly, the head should be rather simple with few parts, once completed, add it to the finished body with arms.
Suggested Filaments and LEDs...
Smaller LED lights used for the original size – Single LED Magnetic controlled – Need 1
Larger LED lights used for the 215 Design - Ring LED Magnetic Control – Need 2
One would think that by now, filament companies would have produced the perfect silk red for Ironman, but most of the silk red filaments I ordered looked too pale.
I must have ordered 5 different silk red filaments before stumbling onto two that I think looks well.
The off-red filament, Amolen SILK Red Copper PLA looks great by itself, but next to the other filament I found it almost looks more orange than red.
TINMORRY 3D SILK Red – looks fantastic but appears to be in short supply on Amazon.
I recommend searching “Christmas Red “ like OVERTURE Silk Christmas Red PLA. I haven’t tried this one yet for the design, but judging by the pictures online, it might be good. Of course, most pictures of silk red filament look a bit different in color than in real life.
I used Numakers Silk Gold for all the pictures, and it looks fantastic!!
Bambu Matte Ice Blue
Bambu Matte Black
Bambu Basic Gray
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Thanks for checking out my design.
