Lulzbot TAZ Tractor Scale Model 3D Printing Tutorial

Start with an image of what we are trying to print -

and new design-for-fabrication model of frame:

Let's take TAZ and prototype the above tractor as a scale model:

Tractor 3D Printing Files

We observed that simply scaling the 1/4"x4"x4" tubing of Lifetrac by 8x (to generate 1/2" tubing) resulted in a 1/16" wall thickness instead of 1/32". So scaling is not working. We need to draw these tubes manually.

The tubes for 3D printing are 1/32" wall thickness x 1/2"x1/2" tubing. Draw these in sketchup by extruding a 1/2" square, then offsetting for a 1/32" face, to punch out the middle. Make sure that you offset for punching out the middle of the tube before extruding the holes.

To draw the holes, draw the first hole at 1/4" away from the middle of the edge

• 3x 11 - tops transerse -
• 2x 17 - top parallels -
• 4x 13 - front verticals -
• 5x 15 - 2 rear verticals, 3 bottoms transverse
• 4x 19 - bottom parallels
• 10x pivot plates

Loader:

• 2x 8 - forearms
• 2x 16 - arms
• 4x 4 hole connector plate
• 2x 14 - attachment plate