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Do-It-Yourself 3D-Printed ConceptoBots Do-It-Yourself 3D-Printed ConceptoBots Do-It-Yourself 3D-Printed ConceptoBots Do-It-Yourself 3D-Printed ConceptoBots


Do-It-Yourself ConceptoBots

Collect materials

Install Cura Software

  1. Install Cura LulzBot using a package manager. This method ensures you have the most recent Cura updates.

    In order to use your favorite package manager you'll need to add the LulzBot package repository (repo) public key to your machine and the LulzBot repo to your sources.list file.

    Open your Terminal app, then run the following commands:

    1. Add the Lulzbot repository (repo) public key. In the terminal, enter:

      wget -qO - | sudo apt-key add -
    2. Add the Lulzbot repo to your sources.list file. In the terminal, enter:

      sudo sed -i '$a deb wheezy main' /etc/apt/sources.list
      sudo apt-get update
    3. Finally, install Cura. In the terminal, enter:

      sudo apt-get install cura
  2. Open Cura from your normal application launcher, or by typing cura in the terminal.

  3. Select your printer.

  4. Select the extruder (single or double).

  5. Select tool head selection.

  6. Now get ready to start building your robot in Cura…

Build Your Robot In Cura

Before you get started, download and unzip the .stl files. These contain the CoceptoBot parts. You will also want to have your SD card handy to save your final robot build.

  1. In the top left dropdown of Cura, select your material.

  2. In the top left corner, click the load model button, and select the desired robot stl files for the robot parts that you want to add to your print.

    Load Model

    Note: You can select multiple stl files to load at once.

    Tip: we recommend you “build” the robot as one print job. This saves time and also gives you an idea of what the final product will look like before your begin the print

  3. The images will load into Cura (it may take a moment or two to parse the files and load). Once loaded, Cura will automatically place them on the virtual printing bed so that there are no overlaps. Feel free to move them around on the bed by using the mouse.

    Tip: estimated print time is shown in the top right corner, underneath the save gcode button. As you change the scale of any part, you’ll see the estimated print time adjust. We’ve noticed Cura underestimates actual print time, as print time is affected by filament, thickness, user intelligence, etc.

  4. Save your robot design

    1. When you are satisfied with the layout be sure your SD card is inserted and click Save GCODE. This system should automatically open the SD card; if not, navigate to the SD card, change the filename, and hit Save.

    Save GCODE

    Note: using an SD card eliminates the need for a direct connection to the computer. We like fewer wires but you can choose whichever suits your needs!

    1. Safely remove the SD card from the computer

Print Your Robot

  1. Insert SD card into TAZ6


  2. Turn on TAZ6

  3. Press button to open menu

  4. For models prior to TAZ6:

    1. Turn button to highlight temperature, press down on the button to choose

      For the magnetic iron filament turn button to Nozzle: press down on button to choose, set to 220. Press button to save.

      Note: if you set your filament in Cura you can skip this step.

    2. Turn button to highlight nozzle, press down on the button to choose

    3. Turn button to Bed, press button, set to 60, press button


  5. Turn button to Main, and select Print from SD card, press button and TAZ6 will begin the print.


Assemble Your 3D Printed Parts

  1. Lift off the printer


  2. Separate the piece from loose strands of filament

  3. File rough edges


  4. Piece together as you see fit

  5. Marvel at your creation and pat yourself on the back!

Notes & Resources

This guide just gets you started. Now you understand how to model, design and build your own robot toy. You've also learned how to print different connectors for robot parts that allow the joints to move. Like the kids featured in the video, you can be creative with the use of each pre-created part to invent new uses for these parts. Maybe you can imagine how you might take a 3D toy to the next level? For example, connect wires to build a robot that detects your heart rate, or a Ras Pi to make your robot move.

Huge thanks to all the online resources we used to learn from and create this how to. There's lots of great information in many of them. Please visit them to learn more.

Aleph Objects

Thanks to Aleph Objects, maker of LulzBot 3D printers, for partnering with us on this project and making 3D printing a learning adventure for the kids. Here are some great online resources that we found helpful - with helpful photos too!


Inspired by System76 Roguebots, Ben from VagueEntertainment built 3D animations and 3D printed versions of the RogueBots characters. We had to fly him out here to help bring ConceptoBots to life for the kids.