Two color gridfinity IKEA hack

Gridfinity by Zack Freedman is one of the staples in a nerdy workshop. Modular, lego-like “equipment grid”s in real life.

The basic idea is to have a square 42mmx42mm grid with a baseplate that has edges that align the boxes / modules, and each module has magnets in its bottom.

I just got a PRUSA XL this summer. Going with the 2-extruder model seemed like the prudent choice: able to test multicolor / multimaterial prints, and to expand to 5 later if it seems good. But still minimizing the risk by not starting with the full 5-extruder model.

So, a large gridfinity base plate with two colors it is :)

The two colors here are of course just a gimmick, using a quick modifier in the prusa slicer.

The IKEA hack here (by no means original) is that IKEA sells inexpensive powder-coated steel sheet metal, for example as IVAR metal shelves. With metal as a base, you can use the thin, easy frames and still get the comfortable magnetic attachment. Getting something like that manufactured through other means would cost a lot more.

…3D printing is about size though: even the XL can’t quite fill this metal plate in one go :)