PriNXT, a Functioning Lego Printer

Fun & Games Robotics
PriNXT, a Functioning Lego Printer

YouTube player

Fourteen-year-old Lego hacker Leon Overweel built this impressive Lego Mindstorms NXT printer, AKA PriNXT.

PriNXT has three motors: two control the X and Y motion, and the third lifts the pen.

The first motor, the one in the middle, is very straight forward – it has two long axes coming out of it that connect to two tiny gears that can drive around on a series of gear racks, moving the contraption about the Y axis. The second and third motor are a bit more complex, since they both point inward and have to move their power around a lot.

The left one, which controls motion on the X axis, basically just gears its power to a really long row of worm wheels, which, when spun, slowly move the part that holds the pen from left to right. The third motor similarly transfers its power to the outside, after which it moves a long rod up and down, pulling the pen along with it no matter where it is.

Leon also built the Skype Controlled Mindstorms Car and this Festo-inspired Robotic Arm, both of which we blogged previously. [via The NXTStep]

20 thoughts on “PriNXT, a Functioning Lego Printer

  1. NickS says:

    Aww, I was hoping for a 3d printer that uses Lego…

    1. Kieran says:

      That would be AMAZING. :D

      1. Ben Connors (@BCatDC) says:

        Agreed. Why not make a 3d printer that prints with 1×1 lego bricks!??! That would be awesome! If you did other block sizes you could add overhangs…

        It looks like young Leon is pretty close, just add a z axis, and some method for loading up little blocks.

  2. Everett says:

    Isn’t “plotter” a more accurate description of this machine than “printer”?

    1. Michael Fusion says:

      it functions as a “dot-matrix” printer.

      a plotter functions as a splice device, drawing continuous lines

  3. anaerin says:

    Technically speaking, isn’t this more a “Plotter” than a “Printer”?

  4. The PriNXT: A Working Printer Made From Lego « « Fix-Singh - Gadget RepairsFix-Singh – Gadget Repairs says:

    […] [World of Mindstorms via MAKE] […]

  5. Elliott Fackler says:

    Leon has a bright future ahead of him. I am über impressed.

  6. Lego Printer, created by a 14 yrs old Genius « KBO Collection says:

    […] Read more at World of Mindstorms, via Make  […]

  7. MAKE | Flyer-Delivering Lego Robot says:

    […] High school student Leon Overwheel built this sick flyer robot to hand out leaflets Rye High School science fair. It uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect a visitor, then pulls a flyer off of a pile and hands it to the visitor. My favorite details are the Fergelli linear actuators and the Mindsensors Flexi Cables. He even hacked together a NXT-Power Functions adapter cable! Also be sure to check out Leon’s Lego printer. […]

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

My interests include writing, electronics, RPGs, scifi, hackers & hackerspaces, 3D printing, building sets & toys. @johnbaichtal nerdage.net

View more articles by John Baichtal

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK