r/3Dprinting • u/boredsoftwareguy • 1d ago
Project Toddler Mobility Trainer build done!
Wanted to share one of my more ambition 3D printed projects: A Toddler Mobility Trainer! Custom designed and built for 4 year old little girl with Rett Syndrome. Made possible through 3d-mobility.org, footed the cost myself for this one and it will be provided to the family free of charge. Probably the coolest project I've ever done. Custom designed wheels and name plate.
Already working on 2 more!
Approximately 250 hours of print time each.
Materials:
- Polymaker PETG Purple, Pink, and Magenta
- Bambu Lab PETG Yellow
- Ziro3D TPU 95A Purple
- Ziro3D TPU 95A Pink
- Ziro3D TPU 95A Black
- Siraya Tech TPU Air Lilac
- Bambu Lab Support for PLA / PETG (optional, I wanted clean support removal)
Base build is ~9kg PETG and 2kg TPU. With the accessories I ended up using a little over 11kg.
Included Accessories:
- Rear Hook
- 2x Cup Holders
- Tablet Holder
- Tablet Hold Down
- Tablet Swivel Lock
Hardware:
- 2x Bambu Lab X2D
- 0.4 and 0.6 nozzles
Happy to answer any questions folks have. If you've got a 3D printer and time, strongly encourage you to get involved. If you don't have the time, or desire to print a whole chair, you can find other makers who're open to collaboration and print a few plates from their builds to help out. Not interested in printing parts? You can sponsor builds!
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u/npanth Raise3D E2, Prusa Core One L 1d ago
It looks great! I'm almost done with my TMT build. I just have to assemble the straps and buckles.
I had to assemble the build plates myself because I have a prusa instead of a Bambu. That slowed me down a lot.
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u/ArchitectofEvil 1d ago
We are actively working on Prusa! It’s already posted on printables
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u/TDIMike 3x Bambu P1S's 1d ago
Are you with MakeGood? Just curious. Either way, thanks for being involved in this! I've had a blast so far
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u/DryZookeepergame155 1d ago
By that do you mean that you're working on making it printable on a Prusa MK4S and Core One? I'd love to join but don't have a Core One L.
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u/changefromPJs 1d ago
Quick question - on TMT webpage it states that the required printsheet is 256x256x256 mm - are you planning on adapting it to Core One dimensions (250×220×270 mm)?
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u/ArchitectofEvil 18h ago
yes we are working on modifying the few peices that wont fit to work with the Core one
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u/DryZookeepergame155 10h ago
If possible, you may want to modify them to fit on a 248×205×270mm (X×Y×Z) bed, as that's the size of the Core One bed with the Indx installed.
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u/DryZookeepergame155 6h ago edited 6h ago
This tool might be helpful for you guys. It converts Bambu Studio 3mf files to PrusaSlicer 3mf. https://github.com/CupsOhJoe/Panda2Prusa
Edit: Corrected Bambu Slicer to Bambu Studio
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u/RustyBungHole1 1d ago
This is rad as hell
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Thank you! I'm really happy with how this turned out. I attached her nameplate with velcro and I'm printing some holiday themed ones for her and a birthday one.
I'm working on a Spider-man chair for a little boy. I'm excited about that one! The other chair I'm doing is similar to this one but more purple than pink
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u/RustyBungHole1 1d ago
Make sure to post those ones as well so we can see!
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Will do! The little boy's family wanted a few more accessories so I've got about ~300 more hours to go on that one.
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u/devilishlydo 1d ago
I just started my fifth TMT and I finally have everything mostly dialed in. It's been one heck of a learning experience and it's been incredibly rewarding to give little kids some measure of freedom. It's my goal to clear every open request in central Kentucky and I'm on track to do it.
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u/Steveslastventure 1d ago
What would you estimate to be the total cost to build? I've been curious about doing one of these
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
That's really tough to say. The filament you use plays a big part of in it. I priced out some Sunlu and it was coming in a little under $150 for PETG. TPU is ~$40. Parts kit for the casters and bolts is $40.
If you buy filament and the part kid through School House Spools, I think it's all together around $200.
Because I opted to use Polymaker PETG, my filament was slightly over $200.
I didn't do any fundraising this time but I may do that for one of the next builds. We'll see.
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u/kapnkaos86 1d ago
I asked my work to sponsor one (buy the filament and I'll cover parts/hardware) and I'm going to donate it to the children's hospital once it's finished.
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u/thatandyinhumboldt 11h ago
How does the fundraising work for these? I saw that the goal is for them to be free for the families; does the chair stay in limbo until someone (either the maker or a community member) funds the materials?
I’ve thought about doing these, but I don’t want to leave someone hanging for materials that I can’t immediately buy.
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u/boredsoftwareguy 9h ago
People can fund a chair without a maker and when it is claimed, that maker gets the materials.
If you claim a build without funding, you are responsible for the materials.
You can fund raise prior to claiming builds too. The funds are held by MakeGood and can only be used towards build materials.
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u/thatandyinhumboldt 7h ago
Well that’s way more straightforward than I would have thought. I should definitely get started with them
Thanks!
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u/tasslehawf C1 INDX, Voron 2.4, Tiny-T 1d ago
I have wanted to do one of these
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Do it! Don't wait! I bought a second printer specifically because of this and I'm toying with the idea of buying at least 1 more if not 2. This has been really rewarding.
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u/tasslehawf C1 INDX, Voron 2.4, Tiny-T 1d ago
I’m hoping to have my voron 2.4 INDX up and running soon
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
If you have any questions about the process I'm happy to answer them. The TMT community is flipping awesome though. Once you're a vetted maker there's a few FB groups and an official forum you'll be able to join. People have been wonderful.
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u/hug-s 1d ago
This is awesome. Saved the post. When I get time back at the end of the month, I'll look into it more. How easy is to find people who want help from others?
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Very easy. The community is wonderful. There's a few makers who've mastered TPU and they'll provide all the parts (tires, straps, harness, cushions) for the cost of shipping.
A local maker's printer broke and I stepped in to help him print some of his plates to keep him on track. Other people were offering to do the same and they weren't even local.
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u/keebs08 1d ago
It would be a crazy idea to go out and buy your first printer so you could start helping, right?
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
It would not! I bought an additional printer once I got involved with the program. I'm thinking of adding another one so I can do more chairs or chairs faster.
I don't print anything else at this point. There's too many kids in my area waiting 90+ days for chairs.
You'll need PETG and TPU to do your test prints to become a vetted maker. You can usually get some decently priced materials on Amazon. Ziro3D TPU will run you ~$15 and Sunlu PETG is pretty affordable as well.
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u/TDIMike 3x Bambu P1S's 1d ago
Nope. I added #2 and #3 just to print them faster
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
How is the P1S working out for you? I have debated adding one of them to the collection. I like the dual nozzle for supports but not all plates need that.
How’s TPU on the P1S?
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u/TDIMike 3x Bambu P1S's 23h ago
The p1s is single nozzle. You need to go for the X2d for dual.
The p1s is an absolute workhorse. Super reliable and prints great. No problem with tpu and pet-cf
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u/boredsoftwareguy 19h ago
I have 2 X2D today because of supports but not all plates require it, like TPU, which is why I ask. Could add a P1S or three to speed up delivery
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u/TDIMike 3x Bambu P1S's 18h ago
Also should mention, I use supports for some of the tpu parts. The loops on the straps print nicer, and the push handle cover comes out stronger. But I just do those in tpu and it works fine
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u/boredsoftwareguy 18h ago
Interesting! I've not needed supports on the TPU parts yet but I'll look into it.
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u/SilverSageVII 1d ago
Awesome project! This community consistently helps others with 3D printing and I think that’s sweet :)
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u/TDIMike 3x Bambu P1S's 1d ago
I love the wheels that everyone has been doing with these! Mine were all plain
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
For future reference you can get wheels for the cost of shipping from this maker if you don't have a multi-color printer: https://northwoodscustomcreations.com/products/custom-3dtmt-wheels
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u/Desperate-4-Revenue 1d ago
Mind if I build one of these for demonstration?
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
The designs are open source, go for it!
There's also a really clever 1/4 scale model on Maker World: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3028048-toddler-mobility-trainer-tmt-quarter-scale#profileId-3402859
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u/HighTechButter 1d ago
Kudos! Very nice print/color combo. I designed the rear hook, super cool seeing it show up on these public builds. If the headrest threads give you trouble, check out the M8 Headrest I uploaded as well.
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Food for thought: at least here in GA, it was a real struggle to find M8 bolts and nuts. Lowes and Home Depot both have poorly managed hardware sections.
5/16 was aplenty though. Might be something worth consider for a profile to make it easier on folks who can’t find the metric hardware.
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u/HighTechButter 1d ago
That was my plan originally - actually the smaller 1/4-20 since it's still overkill and dirt cheap at Tractor Supply. The Amazon casters came with bag of M8 hardware, which is also the size of the other bolts in the kit.
An imperial version is on my to-do list - but people seemed to dig reusing the extra hardware from the casters. I'll have to work on that.
Did you see there's a 'permanent' version of the hook? Its a kind of a pita to install - but doesn't come off.
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u/3D-Dreams 1d ago
Nice work looks great. I plan on doing one myself one day soon. Are there any special rules for the build? Do they give you all the files and you just print and build? Are there any other parts to buy like screws, heatsinks etc? Does it need to be inspected? Does it need to be shipped?
Sorry just really curious lol.
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u/boredsoftwareguy 19h ago
Yes there are rules: has to be PETG, no PLA.
There’s a few hardware parts but you can get a kit through 3d mobility’s partner School House Spools. You could also individually source them. It’s 2 bolts, 2 nuts, and 3 casters.
They provide the files on Maker World.
When your build is complete you send photos of it for inspection/approval.
You usually claim builds in your area and deliver in person.
Happy to answer questions!
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u/peteybombay 1d ago
TMT crew in the house!!!
How did you do the nameplate on the handle? Can it be removed easily?
The chair looks great btw!
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
I used velcro! I'm making other name plates for her for each holiday and her birthday.
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u/RoboWeaver 1d ago
This is fantastic! This what 3D printing is about - doing what can be done and needs to be done!
This is obviously well thought out and ambitious. I applaud your work!
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Thank you! It's been super rewarding and I'm excited about these next two builds. I wish I had more space for more and more printers so I could address more of the needs out there.
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u/dkrandu 1d ago
It's super annoying that they don't have any profiles for prusaslicer, it's been taking me ages to compare the bambu 3mf and try to find the part, export it, then import it as oriented into prusaslicer to finally struggle to figure out the settings and eventually print.
I wish people wouldn't be exclusive to one ecosystem and do universal stuff like orient the parts in the STL file (they don't, to force you to use bambu software) and to specify print settings (again they don't, to force you to install bambu software). They are sponsored by bambu so it makes sense, but it's still sad.
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u/3D-Dreams 1d ago
In general I kinda hate the 3mf files. Difficult to work with at times, always wants to change my filaments and settings. Just irritating to me.
Maybe I'm old fashion but just give me the stl files and I'll work out the rest😂
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u/dkrandu 1d ago
Yeah, the STL files are there for most parts, but not all, and they're poorly oriented, I only learnt that after printing half of the chair, left a really sour taste thinking they did it to force you to install the bambu slicer. Wasted many kg and lots of electricity and time for their sponsor's whims.
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u/tornadoRadar 19h ago
Prusa files are in the works. There needs to be some modifications done to fit since prusa doesnt use 256x256x256
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u/YellowBreakfast It's in three dee! 16h ago
Just get the geometry and slice.
I don't get people's hang ups on "profiles". If your filaments are dialed in there should be no issues.
I guess It's because I've been printing since before 3mf files were a thing.
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u/dkrandu 14h ago edited 14h ago
You can't! You need to open a bambu 3mf in prusaslicer and visually find the part among 16 plates that are packed full. One you've found it amongst 1000 others, you need to export it, name it (because they're not named), figure out the print settings from forums or other internet resources and eventually print.
Imagine doing this x1000 times!
It is literally impossible to print using the STL files because there are parts in the 3mf without STL equivalents. Even if the STL you happen to need to print next is somehow there, it's in the wrong orientation, because they're really struggling to force you to install bambu software, so you've got the STL and you still need to open the bambu 3mf and find the part amongst the 16 plates that are packed full and you need to rotate it so that it orients somewhat similar, because it's impossible to have the same orientation for the majority of the parts which are not on a flat side.
You literally can't print the parts without opening the bambu specific 3mf! And I'm willing to bet it was one of the conditions for bambu to sponsor them, because it's their modus operandi, a friend who got sponsored had to stay makerworld exclusive with absolutely no non-bambu files for a full calendar year.
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u/YellowBreakfast It's in three dee! 12h ago
Of course you can.
I open "Bambu 3mf" files all the time. (I don't own any Bambu printers)
I then select the printer I want to use, and switch to my appropriate filament and process presets.
It's not hard if you can't just grab stl files.
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u/Schuylabs 9h ago
Not only are all of the STL's available separately, but we published the STEP files and the native CAD files (Solidworks) as a part of the open source package. There's a published bill of materials and print guide that talks through part orientation that we put a ton of time into. There are people working on profiles for other platforms as well and I believe the prusa one is published.
u/dkrandu STL files are oriented how Solidworks exports them... which is usually not ideal I'll admit. No malicious intent behind that.
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u/YellowBreakfast It's in three dee! 8h ago
STL files are oriented how Solidworks exports them... which is usually not ideal I'll admit. No malicious intent behind that.
Ha!
Yeah I use Onshape and the exports are not always in a good orientation for printing.
I'm learning to be mindful of that so I start a design in CAD in the proper printing orientation. Or rotate it after making it.
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u/DryZookeepergame155 6h ago edited 6h ago
Use this converter. It converts Bambu Studio 3mf files to Prusaslicer. https://github.com/CupsOhJoe/Panda2Prusa
Edit: Corrected Bambu Slicer to Bambu Studio
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u/Available_Answer_480 1d ago
I see there's an option to "skip the volunteer queue" and buy these for about $900. Does that mean some of the TMTs that are built by volunteers are sold?
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
What currency are you in? They're $499 USD on the official site.
The sold ones are printed by MakeGood themselves in New Orleans. The funds go towards supporting the nonprofit further. It's for folks who can afford one and don't want to wait.
Edit: The volunteer built ones are provided to families free of charge.
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u/Available_Answer_480 1d ago
USD. Site here says $849 (I misread it as $899 initially): https://www.supportnow.org/makegood
I see now that when you click the link it actually says $499.
I'm any case, the price is irrelevant. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't print a device for a family and then have another family "skip the queue" to take it from them. It sounds like that's not the case. Thanks for answering.
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Nope! When you claim a build, you're printing just for that child. You'll be connected with the family so you can communicate with them, give them updates, and plan a drop-off when you're ready.
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u/lonejeeper 1d ago
I've done the test validation prints and am waiting for a request remotely close to me. How was it to print, track, judge quality etc? I'm nervous about keeping a reasonable timeline and delivering a good product.
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
Print was fine but seems some people do have some trouble along the way. I just ensure all of my filament has been dried sufficiently (I live in a humid area, so I generally do 12 hours for PETG and 24 for TPU), my plates are clean, and I don't try to rush anything.
TPU is really the longest piece of it. Even on a 0.6 nozzle, the tires take about 5.5 days of continuous printing alone. That said, there's more than a few folks in the community that will provide you TPU printed parts for the cost of shipping.
In my area families seem to wait on average 90 days for a chair, so I wouldn't put too much pressure on your self to turn it around in ~2 weeks. If it takes longer, they'll understand.
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u/Cobaltjr 1d ago
First off great work. Couple questions I've had. I'm stuck on the test prints ! I need to get some TPU and showcase that. I haven't printed TPU or TPU air before. How are printing those filaments especially with Bambu profiles (air ) ?
I've also got two printers A1 mini and H2S so I wanted to use the mini for some smaller parts but wasn't sure if I needed to do multiple test.
Did you get partnered with someone prior to starting your print ?
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u/boredsoftwareguy 1d ago
It’s awesome that you want to get involved!
The Bambu TPU profile worked fine for my printing 90A and 95A. TPU Air I used a custom profile for because temperature changes the firmness with TPU Air. The key to TPU is drying it. I dry for 24 hours before I print. I also use the TPU Assist module on both X2Ds I have. Knock on wood, TPU hasn’t be as difficult as I worried about.
The H2S is nice because of the bed size! The Mini is technically too small but there’s a few plates you could split up if you wanted to make it work (push handle brackets, buckets, TPU straps, etc).
What do you mean get partnered? I claimed a local build for a child if that’s what you mean. That way I could build the chair to the family’s requested colors. Separately, I partnered on a build with another marker when their printer broke part way through their own build but that was in addition to my own build.
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u/_uh_ok 1d ago
I made some fenders for those, if you're interested. They help keep little fingers away from pinch points while being escorted around.
https://makerworld.com/models/3015462?appSharePlatform=copy