XOOT DIY Custom Side Panels

This example uses “Free” software tools, because they should be available to everyone.  However, I find that many free tools can be cumbersome to use:

“Linux is only free if your time has no value.” — Jamie Zawinski

Tools Used:

• Inkscape – Vector Graphics (Ver 1.3 in this example)
• TinkerCad – 3d Modeling

Feel free to modify the steps to use your preferred software tools.

Download Template .svg File

Template Side Panel Small.svg

Template Side Panel Full.svg

Picture of XOOT_Pro side without bearing covers and side panel.

It’s important to keep track of the features on the sides of the arm.

Design XOOT Bubble Lettering Panel

Step by step instructions to create a set of side panels.  The idea is to show the basic steps to accomplish this task. We expect you’ll design your own side panels once familiar with the steps.

Design a .svg Side Panel

Setup Side Panel

1. Open a template file in Inkscape.
2. Open small template:

3. Ctrl+A (Select All)
4. Flip and 90 turn
   
   

5. Menu: File | Document Properties
   • Press “Resize to Content”
   • 
6. 

Add Text

1. Select the Text Tool
2. Draw a Text Box and enter “XOOT”
3. 
4. Change the font to “Gill Sans Ultra Bold Condensed” size to something bigger (144 pt)
   
5. 
6. Menu: Path | Object to Path
7. Click drag to move inside template
   
8. Add Effects to Letters
   • Menu: Path | Path Effects…
   • Path Effects tool should open
   • Type “p” into the lookup bar
     
   • Play around with the numbers to get something kind of OK
     
   • Apply Path Effect “Corners” tool, for a bubble look
     

Fine Tune Shapes

1. In Perspective/Envelope tool select flatten:
   
2. Fine tune shapes and spacing using the nodal tool
   
3. Result:
   

Create Opposite Side Panel

1. Press: Ctrl + A, to select all
2. Press Ctrl + C, to copy
3. Press Ctrl + V, to paste
4. Press the Flip Vertical button
   
5. Move the new shape above the old shape.
   • Menu: File | Document Properties
     • Press “Resize to Content”
       
6. Result :
   

Save SVG File for 3D

1. Menu: File | Save As
2. “XOOT Bubble Shape.svg”

Create Background Image

The background Image will be printed on photo paper and go behind the 3D printed panel.

Pick a Background Color

1. Select the “Royal” Color Profile
   
2. Move down to the “Gold” portion of the profile.
   
   
3. Select your shade
   
   
4. Then Fill the background shape to Black
   

5. CHEAT!!! I used Affinity Designer to add the shading in the letters that gives it more depth, (to match lighting from a window on my arm), I could not get this look with inkscape…
   

3D Print Side Panels

Tinkercad

1. Go to TinkerCad
2. You need to Signup to use the online program.
3. Once signed in, Create a 3D design
   
4. Import “XOOT Bubble Shape.svg”
   
5. When importing an SVG the dimensions are frequently wrong.
   • To ensure they are right, open “XOOT Bubble Shape.svg” file in inkscape
   • Menu: File | Document Properties…
   • Check the dimensions of the document.
     
   • Set the tinkercad to import to the same dimensions.
     
6. By default tinkercad will give the shape a 10mm thickness.
   
7. Change the name of your project to “XOOT Bubble Shape”
   
8. Click on the top of the shape, then change the thickness to 1.5mm
   
9. Now Export as a .stl file
   
10. This will generate the file “XOOT Bubble Shape.stl”

11. From here you can use a 3D slicer to generate code for your specific 3D printer. (TinkerCad can also do this).

Sample 3D Print Service with Pricing (September 2024)

When 3D printing ensure you print 2 mirror image panels (Not two pieces of one panel). The surface finish will be different on the top and bottom of the panels.

Std Side Pannel.stl

• Color: Black
• Material: PLA
• Infill: 40%
• Quote From: https://craftcloud3d.com/
• Pricing: $12.08 – $17.17

Atom SidePannel.stl

• Color: Grey
• Material: PLA
• Infill: 40%
• Quote From: https://craftcloud3d.com/
• Pricing: $16.22 – $30.95

XOOT Buble Shape.stl (mirror)

• Color: Grey
• Material: PLA
• Infill: 40%
• Quote From: https://craftcloud3d.com/
• Pricing: $10.90 – $14.80

Make the Pannels

Print the background image

1. Sample backgrounds used Glossy Photo Paper.
2. Remove existing side panel to overlay paper image to ensure the dimensions are correct.
   
3. Cut out background images
   

3DPrint the Pannels

Assemble and Install

1. Super Glue the center of the “O” to the background paper.
   
2. Remove the old side panels and install the new ones. 
   

Extra Side Panel Examples

1. Stensil Side Panel
   

2. Atom Side Panel