Feb 13, 2018 | By Benedict

Bob Clagett, creator of the I Like To Make Stuff YouTube channel, has 3D printed a monstrous Optimus Prime blaser in homage to his favorite Transformers character. Clagett used the Lulzbot Taz 6 with MOARstruder to print some of the large sections.

Freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and—in our opinion—printing obscenely sized plastic guns is the right of all tech nerds. So hurrah to maker sensation Bob Clagett for 3D printing an Optimus Prime blaster that any Transformers buff can recreate with a 3D printer, a fair whack of filament, and a handful of electronic components.

“If you know anything about me, it's that I am a huge fan of 80s toys and movies,” Clagett says.  “In the past I've made the Transformer's Matrix of Leadership and rigged up my Land Cruiser to play sounds form the show, but I've always wanted to recreate Optimus Prime's blaster. But I didn't want to just remake the tiny toy version, I wanted to make an ion cannon fit for Optimus Prime himself!”

After doing the scientific calculations by measuring his G-1 Transformers toys, Clagett realized that 3D printing a to-scale Optimus Prime gun might be tricky…because it would need to be eight feet long.

Not one to be discouraged, however, Clagett decided that a 1:2 scale cannon would still do justice to the Autobots leader, and went ahead with a four-foot version instead.

Using four-inch PVC pipe, the maker was able to put together a base structure for the massive weapon, after which he commandeered Autodesk Fusion 360 to model some detailed parts. These were based on photos of Clagett’s old toys.

For the 3D printing, the YouTuber used a Lulzbot Taz 6 with a MOARstruder, which helped print some of the larger parts. The MOARstruder Tool Head provides high output, being able to extrude three times as much plastic as ordinary extruders, though some of the parts had to be printed in sections to fit on the Taz 6 print bed.

Sanding and assembly came next, after which Clagett finalized the giant weapon with an Arduino Nano. The electronic gizmo was programmed to make sounds, and also connects to LED lights for a visual effect.

Check out how you can build your own in the video below, and take a look at some of Clagett’s other 3D printed Transformers handiwork.

 

 

Posted in Fun with 3D Printing

 

 

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Matthew Palulis wrote at 2/28/2018 4:03:19 PM:

I like your post. But before i saw this post I've already printed a 100% 3d Printed Gun. I haven't posted it yet because I'm in the process of printing a 6 foot tall Optimus Prime Costume for the Next Comic-con and i want to get it all done before i post it to the Public. I just never got into Fusion 360 to create the 3d image of the Gun. But Thanks for the Insight, I'll be using Fusion 360 from now on to create my next 6 foot tall Costume, Not sure what it will be but it will be 6 feet tall again. Have a look at what i've already done with my Home Made 3D Printers. https://www.thingiverse.com/tlmxcpmpp/designs



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