Energy Series Rodimus Fully Transformable model

Rodimus Design
⚠️ PRINTING TOLERANCE WARNING ⚠️

Due to the nature of FDM 3D printing, some parts may not print perfectly symmetrical. Factors such as printer calibration, nozzle pressure, cooling, layer adhesion, and filament flow can cause minor deformation, including slightly flattened edges, uneven surfaces, or small dimensional variations.

These tolerances are normal and expected when printing mechanical, jointed models with tight clearances. Minor cleanup — such as light trimming with a hobby knife, gentle sanding, or clearing holes with a drill bit — may be required to ensure proper fit and smooth movement.

This does not affect the functionality or durability of the model once properly cleaned and assembled.

Printing Requirements:
All parts were printed in PETG, which is required due to the small holes and friction-fit joints used throughout the model. Other materials may not hold up or fit correctly without modification.

Assembly Notes:
Assembly uses 1 mm paperclips and the screw set listed below. Without these, assembly will not be possible unless you resize the model or enlarge the pin holes.
Once assembled, the figure is very durable and designed to be highly poseable.

I hope you all enjoy the build — happy printing!

What You’ll Need

Hobby Knife
Some printers may cause small parts to print slightly “mushroomed” or over-extruded. A hobby knife is essential for trimming edges so parts fit and insert cleanly.

1 mm Paperclips
Used as structural pins for joints and transformations.

Screws
HanTof 750-piece set (M1.4 / M1.6 / M2 / M2.5 / M3)
Phillips pan-head micro machine screws
Nickel-plated carbon steel
(Commonly used for toys, watches, and electronics)

1/32" Drill Bit (Black Oxide)
Available at Home Depot or most hardware/hobby stores.
Used to clear pin holes if your printer partially fills them.

Optional: Wood-Burning Tool
Useful for plastic welding where super glue isn’t sufficient.
(Amazon-quality tools recommended; cheaper ones tend to fail quickly.)

Small Drill Chuck (Optional)
For securely holding micro drill bits.
Available on Amazon.

3D printing settings

Recommended 3D Printing Settings

Material: PETG (required)
PLA is not recommended due to small holes and friction joints.

Layer Height: 0.2 mm
(You may use 0.16 mm for cleaner results on smaller parts.)

Nozzle: 0.4 mm

Infill: 15–20%
Gyroid or cubic recommended.

Perimeters / Walls: 3 walls minimum

Supports:
Only where needed. Some parts may require light supports depending on orientation.

Print Orientation:
Print parts flat as provided unless otherwise noted. Test-fit before final assembly.

Tolerance Note:
Hole sizes are designed for 1 mm paperclips.
Depending on printer calibration, holes may need to be cleaned with a 1/32″ drill bit.

Assembly Notes

Assembly requires 1 mm paperclips and small machine screws (see project description).

A hobby knife is recommended for trimming minor print artifacts.

PETG is required for durability and friction joints.

Optional plastic welding with a wood-burning tool can be used where glue is insufficient.

Important

⚠️ Scaling the model or changing material may affect joint fit and durability.