This OpenSCad base-generator is intended to have one place to fine-tuning the main building block interfaces. Once done, this module could be used creating customized bricks.

The module contains 3 main interfaces:

  • Knobs on top of a brick
  • Studs on bottom of a brick
  • Half sleeper (end of a train track)

With first two interfaces, the next bricks could be build:

  • Standard bricks of any size
  • Half height (long) bricks (always handy)
  • Base plates
  • (Angled bricks)

Usage:

  • First only print the calibration pieces, so with minimum amount of filament, print, test & tune these interfaces.
  • All calibration parameters can be changed inside the script.
  • Once you are happy, it’s possible to generate some standard bricks/plates.
  • The main reason, is using this module into your own brick customizer.

Update v2 20180630:
+ Make a clear difference between plate & baseplate, basically the corner radius.
+ Plates are half heights of bricks.
+ BasePlate is that real flat plate (1.6 mm thick).
+ Updated function: GeneratePlate()
+ Added function: GenerateBasePlate()
+ Added option to create open or closed knobs at top of brick.
+ Updated customizer functionality.

ToDo in this post:
* Upload file in WP…
* Add customizer link, like:
https://www.reddit.com/r/openscad/comments/19bos33/i_created_an_openscad_web_application_to_make_it/


Parameters

Install OpenSCAD & run script “building_block_interfacing_02.scad“. Parameters could be changed at top of the script, then press:

  • F5: Preview like below
  • F6: Render all objects
  • F7: Export as STL & ready for printing.

Within this module, the ‘ShowObjects’ parameter could be used for generating specific geometry. If this module is used within other modules, it will not create these extra geometries.

Learning more about printing dimensions & terminology: General Considerations.

Calibration blocks

Starting with ‘ShowObjects=4’, the 3 calibration parts could be generated.

Bricks

Set ‘ShowObjects=1’, bricks could be made. Change ‘ShowKnobsX’ and ‘ShowKnobsY’ for changing the size. The function is called ‘GenerateBrick’ and has some default values:

module GenerateBrick(unitsX=2, unitsY=4, unitsZ=1, angle_deg=0, hasKnobs=true, hasStuds=true)

  • For normal use, only first 2 parameters need to be changed.
  • The height could be changed by ‘unitsZ=3’, making the brick 3 times a standard height.
  • The ‘angle_deg’, changes the angle of the top surface, including optional knobs on top.
  • Optional knobs and/or studs could be turned off, for creating a ‘massive’ block.

Plates

Set ‘ShowObjects=2’, plates could be made, using: module GeneratePlate(). These plates are half size of a brick. Change ‘ShowKnobsX’ and ‘ShowKnobsY’ for changing size.

Base plates

Set ‘ShowObjects=3’, base plates could be made, using: module GenerateBasePlate(). Change ‘ShowKnobsX’ and ‘ShowKnobsY’ for changing the size.

Example parts

Set ‘ShowObjects=5’, some pre-defined example parts are generated, based on the modules above.


Additional customizers:

Customizers using this module:

(Although I don’t encourage making standard bricks, most customizers on Thingyverse are blocked… If you need many more standard plastic bricks/tracks, just buy them 2nd hands. ;))

Some of the customizers also require a different module: dotSCAD.
(Read the ‘Getting started‘ documentation, it’s a great module!)


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