Junktrons: CatBot - Modular, Snap-Fit Robot Cat

Meet the first release in the Junktrons lineup: a modular little robot cat with swappable faces, articulated movement, and easy snap-fit assembly.

These are designed to print cleanly, assemble quickly, and encourage customization and remixing. Mix colors, swap heads and faces, build tiny robot families, or print an entire swarm.

No supports. No screws. No glue. Just print, snap together, and start building your own Junktrons.

Features

• No supports required
• Easy snap-fit assembly
• Articulated head and legs
• Swappable faceplates
• Available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes

Size Notes

• Medium is the sweet spot overall. It prints quickly, assembles easily, and is surprisingly durable.
• Large is my kids’ favorite version, though it takes a little more effort to assemble.  The head-to-body joint is a little looser on this version also.
• Small is fast, compact, and great for making entire little robot armies.  They print fast and make an excellent swarm.  The faceplate may be slightly difficult to swap the first few times until the tolerances loosen up slightly.

Face Swapping

Change CatBot's expression easily in seconds.  Just push a paperclip into the hole on the back of the head and gently push the faceplate forward until it pops free. Then snap in a new one right in.  If you do not have an AMS or multi-material setup, blank faceplates can be printed by printing the faceplates in a single color only, after which you can paint them or add stickers instead.

Printing Notes

The multicolor versions are best suited for multi-nozzle or multi-toolhead machines due to the large amount of filament changes and purge waste on standard single-nozzle systems.  The H2C, H2D, X2D, Snapmaker U1, Flashforge Creator 5, and future INDX machines are ideal for this model's multicolor variant.  I have test printed successfully on:

• Bambu Lab A1
• Bambu Lab H2S, and
• Snapmaker U1

Make sure your print bed is clean before printing.  I have deliberately excluded brims from the print profiles to keep the surfaces clean.

Assembly

No glue or hardware required! Build in this order for the easiest experience:

1. Attach the legs to the body.  This may require some force.  I found the easiest way was to slip one side of the joint into the body notch first, then press firmly on the other side until it snaps into place.  This is the hardest part of the assembly.
2. Attach the feet to the legs
3. Snap the ears into the head (you will hear and feel a noticeable click)
4. Attach the assembled head to the body.
5. Snap in your choice of faceplate.

Each of the parts can be printed in your choice of color, so you can easily mix and match colors.  The heads easily pop on and off, so you can change up the head color in seconds.

More Junktrons are planned, so keep an eye out for them.  I intend for all models to have interchangeable components to make a truly unique Junktron.  Feel free to suggest some cool ideas you want to see!