We built Russia’s first portable FDM 3D printer designed for field use. Disassembled, it fits in a small 9 L tactical backpack, and it prints parts up to 20 × 20 × 20 cm. Parts can be picked from a ready-made library.
Balancing compactness against structural rigidity and keeping operation stable under temperature swings and vibration. The main physical challenge was printing in windy conditions. The design also had to be easy to assemble for people new to engineering.
The final design assembles in about 15 minutes with a single screwdriver. The 3D printer firmware is built on open-source Marlin and can be modified. Next, we plan to expand the lineup with 10 × 10 cm (for internal parts) and 35 × 35 cm (for UAV components) versions. ElementaryPRINT has received several national awards and recognition from the Sirius Educational Center and the Talent and Success Foundation.
- 0101
Concept & CAD
Designing the collapsible frame, material selection.
- 0202
Prototyping
A series of prototypes, iterating on rigidity and compactness.
- 0303
Electronics
Control board, stepper motor drivers, heater block.
- 0404
Firmware
Marlin configuration, calibration, error diagnostics.
- 0505
Parts library
3D models of frequently used components.
- 0606
Field testing
Tests in varied conditions, final assembly.
- 01Embedded C
- 02Marlin
- 03CNC systems
- 04CAD
- 05Mechanics
- 06Electronics
- 07KOMPAS-3D
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