3D Printed Shirt V0.9

3D Shirt V0.9

After publishing my 3D PrintedShirt V2 I received several requests from people wanting something that would print on a MK4 (or similar sized printer). I explained that I learned several things with V0.9 and that it required a fair amount of hand assembly and was not as durable as V2. They persisted and so I’ve decided to release V0.9

V2 is much stronger and easier to assemble (though it does require a Prusa XL). I’m publishing this version “as is” for those brave enough to print it themselves. This version of the shirt requires manual assembly and some hand stitching of waxed thread. Please only attempt if you are ready for a challenge and have done lots of 3D printing. You have been warned!

Caveats and Build Notes

• This version was done in 15 panels, each taking around 5 hours to print in PETG on a Prusa MK4, for a total print time of about 70 hours.
• I used Prusa PETG, about 0.9kg total.
• Make sure the nozzle is clean right before the bed probing starts on each print.
• The panels are assembled by placing adjacent panels with their connecting rings “captured”, then snapping one of the connecting tiles in place.
• The connecting rings can “escape” the connecting tile. You may want to carefully use some super glue.
• The entire weight the shirt ends up hanging on the edges around the armholes, which will pull the connecting tiles apart. I used some waxed thread and a flexible needle to carefully run thread all the way around the armholes, wrapping twice between each and every tile along the edge.
• I did the same “thread strengthening” along the back of the neck and into the shoulders.
• You need a second person to put on and take off the shirt. It must be done very carefully to not put stress on any one tile or that tile will break. (It can be done, I’ve worn this shirt two different times for several hours each time).
• Be super careful walking past any other people. The edges can catch on things and could pull apart / break something.
• The front seam uses 4mm x 4mm round magnets purchased on Amazon. Alternate them and make sure they are pressed all the way in.
• Import each panel into PrusaSlicer then rotate 270º. The panels just fit. Center carefully.

With all of that said, I had a huge amount of fun wearing this shirt the two times I did. It was a big hit and got great reactions from people, especially when they saw the magnetic seam close itself.

In Action

The shirt has great movement and the magnetic closure is really fun.

Panel Arrangement

The 15 panels are labeled in three rows, from A to C. The 5 panels on each row are numbered from 1 to 5 such that they form a grid like this:

A2  A1  A0  A3  A4
B2  B1  B0  B3  B4
C2  C1  C0  C3  C4

Assembly

• There are 4 versions of the snap connect tiles. You need (approximately):
  • 3: 76
  • 4: 87
  • 5: 73
  • 6: 3
  • Custom: 2 each
• Print some extras, pretty sure my counts above are off.

Layer Heights

• 0.2mm
• Add a height range modifier to each panel from 1.2mm to 2.4mm: 0.3mm

Print Settings - start with 0.2mm SPEED with Inout Shaping

• Seam position: Random
• Fill gaps: Off
• Top fill pattern: Monotonic
• Bottom fill pattern: Concentric
• Generate support material: Yes
• First layer expansion: 0
• Support material Style: Grid
• Support on build plate only: Yes
• XY separation between an object and its support: 0.6mm
• Speed - Bridges: 25mm/s
• Dynamic overhang speed - 25% overlap 15mm/s
• Dynamic overhang speed - 50% overlap 20mm/s
• Extrusion width - Support material: 0.45mm
• Extrusion width - All Others: 0.6mm
• Arc fitting: Disabled

Filament Settings

• Max volumetric speed: 15mm/s

Print Settings

• Change the 170 to 160 in the M104 and M109 lines in the Custom G-code. This lowers the cleaning temperature for less oozing during cleaning/probing.

Testing

There are two STLs included that have small patches of the fabric. These are good for testing your print settings and printer setup before printing the big panels.

Hanger

There are STLs for a hanger. Print 6 copies of the pole and 4 copies of the pin. They all press fit together.