Development is never a straight line.
Early in the ICSmini development, I realized representing the crews and on-site personnel would be essential. Given the small size of the pieces, I anticipated challenges with FDM printing. Indeed, my initial designs revealed issues.
Printing the figures vertically led to degradation, and the small layer cross-sections made them brittle, easily snapping in half. While they sufficed for initial instructional use, with multiple colors representing different emergency roles, I knew improvements were necessary.
Determined to enhance both design and functionality, I returned to the drawing board. I developed a 3-piece figure base, allowing for a common base with interchangeable figure colors. Additionally, I introduced a sloped hole designed to accept a colored letter tile.
This redesign enabled the figures to be printed flat and then flipped vertical, resulting in stronger, higher-quality prints. The letter tiles provided an efficient way to identify each person on the scenario field, shifting discussions from “That guy there” to “The Firefighter with the Orange X.” The base itself can also be re-colored for future customization.
In a similar footprint, the figures gained three points of customization.
When you use these figures, know that a long development process led to the improved versions you use today.
-Brennan