Collapsing Katana with Single Edged Curved Removable Blade

I updated the latest version of the Katana to have a single edged curved removable blade. You can still find the original print-in-place version here

Printing None of the parts require supports. The blades can be printed concentrically as an assembly or individually in vase mode. If you plan to print concentrically, a single stl contains all the blades. If printing in vase mode, there is a stl for each blade. Note the vase mode stl’s are supposed to be solid so the slicer knows not to make an internal perimeter.

Vase Mode I prefer printing the blades in vase mode as the result is a much cleaner and easier print that can easily be scaled. If you print sequentially, it’s faster too. If printing at 100% scale, set the line width to .94mm. If you plan to print it smaller, scale the line width down by the same about. If printing in vase mode you can scale down to a minimum of 55% with a .4mm nozzle. For vase mode turn top and bottom layers on for the first blade, but turn it off for segments 2-5. You will notice that the vase mode files are solid, this is so your slicer knows not to try to build a inner perimeter.

Top and Bottom layers Turn only the bottom layers off when printing the first blade segment, and turn both top and bottom layers off when printing the rest.

Print two blade segments and test. If the blades don't catch, bump your line width up .2mm or so. If they catch too soon, reduce line width.

Concentric When printing the blades concentrically use a .4mm nozzle and set the line width to .43 so the blades are two shell thick. If you would like to scale it down try printing the vase mode version instead. Before printing the blade assembly make sure perform the test print found here This print is sensitive to the layer seam and extruder calibration, it’s a good idea to make sure your setting are tuned so the blades don’t fuse.

Test Print The test print is a total of 24mm high so I change retraction settings every 8mm. Then I compare the changes until I achieve the best result. Each printer is going to be different but in my case I used a negative “extra restart” distance to reduce the size of the layer seam.

Detailed printing instructions can be found on my website

Printed with Protopasta Galactic Empire Metallic Purple HTPLA and [Gold Dust Translucent HTPLA with Gold Glitter

Printed on the Muldex rep-rap IDEX printer.

Other Collapsing Swords Master Sword Katana Jian Broad Sword Dagger

Note: Assembly model for reference only.

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