Chess on a 3D printer: ideas and advantages of self-printing.
The capabilities of modern 3D printing allow to reproduce almost any detail on a 3D printer, regardless of its complexity. It is possible to create even a real tabletop game - chess, by printing not only pieces of any configuration, but also the board itself. 3D printed chess sets are sure to interest users who are passionate about this game, or those who know chess players.
3D-Printed Chess Sets: Top 20 Chess Pieces
The technology of 3D printing involves the layered creation of details by applying thin melted plastic filaments. The consumable material is one of the suitable filaments - ABS, PLA, Nylon, and others. For printing chess sets, 3D printers, using FDM technology, are more suitable, including the most budgetary ones. More expensive models, using the method of photocuring, are used in everyday life much less due to the relatively high production cost. However, such devices are also suitable for creating original chess sets.
Before starting the printing, it is necessary to develop a 3D model of the product - a file in STL format, which the printer's control unit will be able to recognize. The model is a set of instructions written in a special programming language, according to which the three-dimensional object will be printed.
You can create a 3D model of chess yourself, using specialized programs and online services such as 3DS Max, Maya 3D, Blender, Cura, CraftWare, TinkerCAD, Sculptris, and others, or by downloading a ready-made model from specialized sites. Some versions are available for free, while others need to be paid for in advance.
There is also a mixed option - when an individual, with an original design, is developed based on a ready-made free project.
From Movies
One of the most extensive categories in 3D printing is the recreation of chess sets with figures from movies, TV series, or cartoons. By printing one of these sets, you can have truly memorable battles with your friends.
- Pokémon. In this set, chess is based on characters from the popular animated series. The abundance of characters allows you to create unique sets: for example, you can make Brock and Misty the king and queen, and replace other figures with your favorite Pokémon. Basic forms are designed for each type of figure, allowing you to distinguish pawns from rooks, and so on. The recommended layer height for printing is 0.15 mm, the filling factor is at least 20%.
- The Lord of the Rings. The cult saga of Tolkien's adventures of Middle-earth is a good idea for creating a stylized chess set. This set has enough figures to have a massive battle of good and evil. The light side is represented here by figures of hobbits, dwarves, elves, and others, while the dark side includes goblins, orcs, Saruman, Sauron, Nazgûl, and so on. Printing can be carried out without supports, with a filling factor of at least 25%.
- Star Wars. Another set that, after printing, allows you to influence the battle of the light and dark forces. The figures here are stormtrooper pawns, R2-D2, Han, Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader, Lumière and other iconic characters. It is recommended to use PLA plastic with a diameter of 3 to 16 and a filling factor of 15% for printing this set. For better print quality and detail, support structures can be used.
From Games
- Super Mario. Super Mario - a cult computer game from Nintendo that has conquered millions of gamers around the world. The capabilities of 3D printing allow you to print a chess set where the main characters will be the characters of this story: mushrooms, Yoshi, Queen, Peach, Mario, Birdo, and others.
- Counter-Strike. A set of chess pieces created based on the game allows you to have truly hot battles with friends outside the virtual world.
- Maincraft. The retrographic of the game has captured billions of users worldwide. With a 3D printer, you can recreate this universe, made up of blocks, in the form of a chess set.
Stylized Figures
- Low-Poly. The distinctive feature of this chess set is the low-polygonal design, which consists of a set of three-dimensional forms built from flat polygons. This feature makes the figures quite simple to 3D print, allowing them to be printed with a high degree of detail. The set components are developed in Blender, and PLA is the ideal plastic for printing. Most figures can be printed without the need for support structures, and supports may only be required for the knight and king figures.
- Voronoi. The distinctive feature of this set is the use of a Voronoi structure for each chess piece - the structure is designed in such a way that as a result of a mathematical construction of planes, round three-dimensional structures resembling membranes are obtained. Printing such a set requires minimal cost due to the hollow structure of the pieces. For printing, PLA plastic is preferential with 15% filling rate.
- Abstraction. This chess set will be an excellent choice for users who prefer abstract design. The figures in the set have a unique structure and a ball located at the top. It is intended to denote the type of piece. This set is best printed using support structures, however, it is important to carefully remove them after the print - the figures can be quite fragile.
Animals and Objects
- Set with animal figures. The set can include any animals, including lions, poodles, horses, penguins, cats, and others. A unique design is developed for each type of figure, especially for the lion, playing the role of a king in this game. It is recommended to print such figures without rafts and support structures with a filling of more than 20%.
- Space Race. This set is dedicated to the Cold War between the U.S. and the USSR. The figures here are various designs of spaceships and satellites. Almost all types of figures can be printed without support structures, with a filling of more than 15%.
- Musical set. Depending on the creator's imagination, the set can include pawns in the form of musical notes, as well as a set of musical instruments - violin, cello, harp, guitar, and others. This project also assumes the printing of a dismantling board, which is convenient for storage, and a special box..
Others
- Bauhaus. This chess set was designed in the Bauhaus style, embodying all the beauty and aesthetics of minimalism. The prototype of the set was the Model I chess set by Josef Hartwig, created in 1922 in Germany. It is recommended to print with a filling rate of over 25% and a layer height of 0.15 mm.
- Steampunk. This literary genre is a symbol of the industrial society and its advanced technologies. The style combines aesthetics and technological beauty. The model is quite easy to print on FDM printers.
- Chess set in the form of succulent pots. This chess set is an opportunity to combine chess and gardening. The chess pieces here are hollow containers, each of which can hold a live plant. PLA plastic filament is suitable for printing.
Unusual
In addition to chess sets with standard solutions, there are also unusual figures, the game of which requires advanced spatial thinking and interaction skills.
- Modular chessboard. This project involves printing a disassembled chessboard - suitable for travel, hiking, and similar situations. The board consists of parts that can easily be joined together, and then disassembled and folded into a compact box. For printing, PLA plastic with a filling of more than 20% is more suitable. Support structures are not needed in this case.
- Three-player chess set. The board in this model has a curved hexagonal shape and is designed for a three-player game. Each player receives 16 pieces. The optimal field size is 180 × 180 mm.
- Expandable board. This model consists of a single standard pattern that can be printed an unlimited number of times, allowing you to create a chessboard of any size. In this case, only half of the squares are printed, which significantly reduces material consumption.
- Three-dimensional chess. A version of the game of chess for advanced players. The game board has five planes, each of which has an area of 4 × 4.
Which 3D Printers are Suitable for Printing Chess Sets?
For printing custom-designed chess sets, almost all FDM technology 3D printers are suitable. The presence of two standalone extruders in the model is a serious advantage, as it allows printing support structures if necessary, as well as using multi-color printing.
The print quality depends not only on the brand and quality of the printer but also on the user's ability to tune and modify the printer.
Advantages of 3D Printing Chess Sets
Printing chess sets on a 3D printer is more preferable than buying similar sets in a store, because:
- In case of losing pieces, you can easily print the missing ones. Ordering duplicate pieces in a store is quite difficult, especially if the chess set model is out of stock.
- It is possible to print chess sets in any size - from the smallest, pocket versions to large, floor constructions.
- A chess set with a unique design is a great gift for familiar chess players. In stores, you can usually only buy standard sets, whereas with 3D modeling, you can develop a unique set that exists in a single copy.
Self-printing chess sets on a 3D printer does not require specific knowledge and skills. However, with minimal costs, you can get unique chess sets that are only yours.
