Answers.Body: <p>Yes, is it definitly possible.  However, as this page states:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Producing physical prints from our provided 3D models prompts certain fabrication considerations. According to Wikipedia, the precision of Lego pieces is less than 10 microns. As of early 2012, however, standard Makerbot printers have an XY resolution of 100 microns (0.1mm) and a default layer thickness of 360 microns (0.36mm). We thus caution that fabrication of the Free Universal Construction Kit with current (2012-era) solutions for DIY stereolithography, such as the Makerbot, Printrbot or RepRap, may lack the precision required for reliable or satisfactory coupling with standard commercial pieces. A great deal depends on how well-tuned the printer is; thus, your mileage may vary. In any case, we expect this situation will improve gradually, but inexorably, in tandem with improvements to these vibrantly evolving fabrication platforms. The artist’s proof shown here was created in a UV-cured white resin using a commercial-grade Objet (“polyjet”) 3D printer, which has a horizontal resolution of 42 microns, and a layer thickness of 16 microns. Ponoko.com and other private fabrication services offer printing from Objet machines and other high-resolution devices.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Free Art and Technology [F.A.T.] Lab and Sy-Lab. “The Free Universal Construction Kit.” Fffff.at, 20 March 2012. <a href="http://fffff.at/free-universal-construction-kit">http://fffff.at/free-universal-construction-kit</a>.</p>
  
  <p>The article cited deals with a universal construction kit that allows you to connect ten diffent types of construction sets together, and as this is a Lego site, you may not want to visit it.</p>
  
  <p>However, the point being that "standard" 3D printers (such as the Makerbot or RepRap) will probably lack the precision to produce tolerable Lego bricks.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-03-21T19:20:59.307Z
Answers.Text: We do acknowledge the existence of other building block toys here ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-03-23T00:07:00.830Z
Answers.Text: @Zhaph-BenDuguid: Construction sets, as in, K'Nex and Tinkertoys.
Answers.UserDisplayName: fouric
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-03-23T01:10:05.343Z
Answers.Text: True yes we do consider those pretty much off topic ;) however that doesn't stop us looking...
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-03-21T17:26:24.223Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-03-21T17:26:24.223Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: fouric
Answers.Body: <p><a href="http://bigbenbricks.com/">Big Ben Bricks</a> sells some custom LEGO-compatible elements, mostly train wheels. Since they produce sizes which the LEGO company doesn't, they have some customer, but the production cost is usually quite high for such a quality.</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.brickforge.com/?page_id=2">BrickForge</a> does sell custom elements too, and so do <a href="http://www.brickarms.com/Default.aspx">BrickArms</a>. Usually, custom element producer will focus on elements the LEGO company is not likely to make, either because they feel the element fills too small a niche, or because they don't want to (arms). Yet there is some demand, so these sites aim to fill the gap.</p>
  
  <p>If you've got ideas, maybe contacting one of those would be interesting, either to learn about their processes, or to suggest the part.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:52:52.943Z
Answers.Text: This came in as I was typing the same answer and content!  +1 for prescience.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Nathan
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:54:00.277Z
Answers.Text: I'm surprised it didn't happen in the other direction, I'm usually quite a slow typist. Cheers, you'll beat me next time :-)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:50:46.300Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-11-02T18:33:02.157Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2011-11-02T18:33:02.157Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.Body: <p>Here is a UV printer that can print on the Lego brick, see this link. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD2DCCpe2U&amp;t=15s" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD2DCCpe2U&amp;t=15s</a></p>
  
  <p>And I think this A3 UV printer is good choice. <a href="http://www.wayprinter.com/uv-flatbed-printer/XP600-Epson-uv-printer-XP600sUV.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.wayprinter.com/uv-flatbed-printer/XP600-Epson-uv-printer-XP600sUV.html</a></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-12-18T02:54:30.617Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-12-18T02:54:30.617Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Kate
Answers.Body: <p>People with 3d printers have made their own LEGO bricks. The plastic used is ABS.</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.makerbot.com/blog/tag/lego/" rel="noreferrer">Blog post</a></p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EQgiQ.jpg" alt="From makerbot.com"></p>
  
  <p>Interestingly, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg" rel="noreferrer">3d printers can be constructed out of LEGO parts - you could have it self replicating!</a></p>
  
  <p>Of course, you would need a very expensive and high quality printer to make good pieces. Cheaper ones can only make hollow bottoms and the banding from manufacture is highly visible.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-30T19:37:25.163Z
Answers.Text: @Joubarc, reference?  Not that I don't believe you, but it'd be cool to read about.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Kyralessa
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-31T09:23:32.657Z
Answers.Text: Sorry, this isn't something I read on the web, but witnessed firsthand. LEGO Benelux once lend BeLUG a prototype of [8294 Excavator](http://brickset.com/detail/?set=8294-1) to show at an event, and the linear actuators in there weren't fully functional, but prototype parts which had clearly been 3D printed. I may have seen this on other occasions as well, but that example was very obvious.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-31T09:25:09.507Z
Answers.Text: Well, nothing a good search can't handle, apparently... here you go: [LEGO Turns Design Concepts into Working Prototypes using Objet 3D Printer](http://blog.stratasys.com/2012/02/16/lego-turns-design-concepts-into-working-prototypes-using-objet-3d-printer/) - the video provided by LEGO is very interesting.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:41:43.160Z
Answers.Text: Can you make your answer more specific? Bricks made on $ 100,000 printers interoperate with the real brick but sub $1000 printers produce bricks with poor tolerances.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Erik Olson
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:47:00.237Z
Answers.Text: LEGO itself uses 3D printers for prototyping, by the way.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joubarc
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-27T17:45:38.823Z
Answers.Text: Ah, yes – of course. There's little you can't do with 3D printers :)
Answers.UserDisplayName: mikl
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T18:37:00.057Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-11-02T18:32:08.287Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2011-11-02T18:32:08.287Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Pubby
Body: <p>As I've <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/191/what-kind-of-plastic-are-lego-bricks-made-of">just learned</a>, LEGO bricks are made from ABS plastics.</p>
  
  <p>I wonder if it would be possible to make some simple molds at home, get some ABS pellets, melt them up and make your own custom bricks? Novelty shapes or colours, perhaps?</p>
  
  <p>Has anyone tried this, did it work?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T15:37:17.953Z
Comments.Text: Sounds like an awesome idea!
Comments.UserDisplayName: Peter Cassetta
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T15:41:36.213Z
Comments.Text: Completely feasible, all you need is [the equipment](http://gizmodo.com/5022769/exclusive-inside-the-lego-factory) and you're good to go!
Comments.UserDisplayName: fredley
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T15:53:41.670Z
Comments.Text: Nice question. I cast a lot with resin in RTV molds but I would like to know more about ABS casting (tips and tricks).
Comments.UserDisplayName: pcantin
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T16:09:27.280Z
Comments.Text: Apart from those fans who contracted professional molds for new parts, no. Some have made milled, not molded, parts.  This question might be too open ended. For one, it is feasible if you have lots of money, but
Comments.UserDisplayName: Erik Olson
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T16:15:58.813Z
Comments.Text: This question might be too open ended. For one, it is feasible if you have lots of money, so an answerable question could be Has anybody made a custom part using hobbyist equipment? Also Bricks is really too vague; it's very hard to make a brick, much harder than a sword or a gun.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Erik Olson
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-26T17:03:51.693Z
Comments.Text: mikl: It's certainly "feasible" because LEGO does it. I tried to redirect your question a bit because I think you are looking for more practical advice.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Robert Cartaino
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-10-27T17:43:09.780Z
Comments.Text: Yeah, feasible should probably be extrapolated as “without spending thousands of dollars” :)
Comments.UserDisplayName: mikl
Tags: <manufacturing><customization>
Title: Has anyone made their own custom LEGO bricks?
UserDisplayName: mikl
ThreadText: # Has anyone made their own custom LEGO bricks?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2011-10-26)
  
  As I've [just learned](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/191/what-kind-of-plastic-are-lego-bricks-made-of), LEGO bricks are made from ABS plastics.
  
  I wonder if it would be possible to make some simple molds at home, get some ABS pellets, melt them up and make your own custom bricks? Novelty shapes or colours, perhaps?
  
  Has anyone tried this, did it work?
  
  **Tags:** manufacturing, customization
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Sounds like an awesome idea!  
  > **username_2**: Completely feasible, all you need is [the equipment](http://gizmodo.com/5022769/exclusive-inside-the-lego-factory) and you're good to go!  
  > **username_3**: Nice question. I cast a lot with resin in RTV molds but I would like to know more about ABS casting (tips and tricks).  
  > **username_4**: Apart from those fans who contracted professional molds for new parts, no. Some have made milled, not molded, parts.  This question might be too open ended. For one, it is feasible if you have lots of money, but  
  > **username_4**: This question might be too open ended. For one, it is feasible if you have lots of money, so an answerable question could be Has anybody made a custom part using hobbyist equipment? Also Bricks is really too vague; it's very hard to make a brick, much harder than a sword or a gun.  
  > **username_5**: mikl: It's certainly "feasible" because LEGO does it. I tried to redirect your question a bit because I think you are looking for more practical advice.  
  > **username_0**: Yeah, feasible should probably be extrapolated as “without spending thousands of dollars” :)  
  
  ---
  
  ## 4 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2011-10-26. Score: 29 | Accepted answer
  
  People with 3d printers have made their own LEGO bricks. The plastic used is ABS.
  
  [Blog post](http://www.makerbot.com/blog/tag/lego/)
  
  ![From makerbot.com](https://i.sstatic.net/EQgiQ.jpg)
  
  Interestingly, [3d printers can be constructed out of LEGO parts - you could have it self replicating!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1cO2XhMrg)
  
  Of course, you would need a very expensive and high quality printer to make good pieces. Cheaper ones can only make hollow bottoms and the banding from manufacture is highly visible.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: Can you make your answer more specific? Bricks made on $ 100,000 printers interoperate with the real brick but sub $1000 printers produce bricks with poor tolerances.  
  > **username_8**: LEGO itself uses 3D printers for prototyping, by the way.  
  > **username_0**: Ah, yes – of course. There's little you can't do with 3D printers :)  
  > **username_12**: @Joubarc, reference?  Not that I don't believe you, but it'd be cool to read about.  
  > **username_8**: Sorry, this isn't something I read on the web, but witnessed firsthand. LEGO Benelux once lend BeLUG a prototype of [8294 Excavator](http://brickset.com/detail/?set=8294-1) to show at an event, and the linear actuators in there weren't fully functional, but prototype parts which had clearly been 3D printed. I may have seen this on other occasions as well, but that example was very obvious.  
  > **username_8**: Well, nothing a good search can't handle, apparently... here you go: [LEGO Turns Design Concepts into Working Prototypes using Objet 3D Printer](http://blog.stratasys.com/2012/02/16/lego-turns-design-concepts-into-working-prototypes-using-objet-3d-printer/) - the video provided by LEGO is very interesting.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2011-10-26. Score: 22
  
  [Big Ben Bricks](http://bigbenbricks.com/) sells some custom LEGO-compatible elements, mostly train wheels. Since they produce sizes which the LEGO company doesn't, they have some customer, but the production cost is usually quite high for such a quality.
  
  [BrickForge](http://www.brickforge.com/?page_id=2) does sell custom elements too, and so do [BrickArms](http://www.brickarms.com/Default.aspx). Usually, custom element producer will focus on elements the LEGO company is not likely to make, either because they feel the element fills too small a niche, or because they don't want to (arms). Yet there is some demand, so these sites aim to fill the gap.
  
  If you've got ideas, maybe contacting one of those would be interesting, either to learn about their processes, or to suggest the part.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_9**: This came in as I was typing the same answer and content!  +1 for prescience.  
  > **username_8**: I'm surprised it didn't happen in the other direction, I'm usually quite a slow typist. Cheers, you'll beat me next time :-)  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2012-03-21. Score: 10
  
  Yes, is it definitly possible. However, as this page states:
  
  > Producing physical prints from our provided 3D models prompts certain fabrication considerations. According to Wikipedia, the precision of Lego pieces is less than 10 microns. As of early 2012, however, standard Makerbot printers have an XY resolution of 100 microns (0.1mm) and a default layer thickness of 360 microns (0.36mm). We thus caution that fabrication of the Free Universal Construction Kit with current (2012-era) solutions for DIY stereolithography, such as the Makerbot, Printrbot or RepRap, may lack the precision required for reliable or satisfactory coupling with standard commercial pieces. A great deal depends on how well-tuned the printer is; thus, your mileage may vary. In any case, we expect this situation will improve gradually, but inexorably, in tandem with improvements to these vibrantly evolving fabrication platforms. The artist’s proof shown here was created in a UV-cured white resin using a commercial-grade Objet (“polyjet”) 3D printer, which has a horizontal resolution of 42 microns, and a layer thickness of 16 microns. Ponoko.com and other private fabrication services offer printing from Objet machines and other high-resolution devices.
  
  Free Art and Technology [F.A.T.] Lab and Sy-Lab. “The Free Universal Construction Kit.” Fffff.at, 20 March 2012. <http://fffff.at/free-universal-construction-kit>.
  
  The article cited deals with a universal construction kit that allows you to connect ten diffent types of construction sets together, and as this is a Lego site, you may not want to visit it.
  
  However, the point being that "standard" 3D printers (such as the Makerbot or RepRap) will probably lack the precision to produce tolerable Lego bricks.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_7**: We do acknowledge the existence of other building block toys here ;)  
  > **username_6**: @Zhaph-BenDuguid: Construction sets, as in, K'Nex and Tinkertoys.  
  > **username_7**: True yes we do consider those pretty much off topic ;) however that doesn't stop us looking...  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_10 on 2019-12-18. Score: 1
  
  Here is a UV printer that can print on the Lego brick, see this link. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OD2DCCpe2U&t=15s>
  
  And I think this A3 UV printer is good choice. <http://www.wayprinter.com/uv-flatbed-printer/XP600-Epson-uv-printer-XP600sUV.html>
  
  
  ---
  
  