Print-in-Place Pixel Panel

~ ~ ~ Also check out my new Hex Pixel Panel ~ ~ ~

This is a print-in place pixel art panel inspired by LukiPukiMeen's pixel box. The each pixel is a little tile that pivots in its own little frame. The pixels are 5mm across and the whole panel is only 2mm thick. By executing a filament color change halfway through, each pixel ends up with contrasting colors on each side.

This is a challenging print in that the clearances are tight and the little pivot pins are tiny. This really needs to be printed on a printer with mesh bed leveling, well tuned pressure advance, and a direct drive extruder. (Bowden extruders can struggle with tiny details.)

I've included two different sizes: a large 12 x 30 pixel panel, and a smaller 6 x 6 pixel panel for testing. I highly recommend printing the small panel first to make sure you've got everything tweaked just so. I've also included a display stand for the large panel.

Print in PLA with 0.2mm layers and a 0.4mm nozzle or smaller. Change to a contrasting filament mid-print after 5 layers (1mm). Once printed, use a toothpick or other small probe to poke at each pixel tile on one side to break it free and make it rotate. Note that adjacent tiles alternately rotate vertically then horizontally. If you hold the panel up to the light, you'll be able to see which way the axle runs for each pixel. Once they are initially broken free, just poking each one in any corner will cause it to flip, so you don't have to worry about which pixel pivots which way.