Printing and Assembling the Viking Lander

This page concerns the Vuforia Engine API version 9.8 and earlier. It has been deprecated and will no longer be actively updated.

Beginning with Vuforia Engine 7 and Unity 2017.3, a Model Target dataset with NASA’s Viking Lander model is included by default. The same Viking Lander model is also used by Unity Samples.

If you want to try it out for yourself you will need a physical model of the Viking Lander. The easiest way to do this is to have it 3D printed. If you have access to a 3D printer, you can follow the printing instructions below. Alternatively or you can order a print through third-party services such as:

• https://www.hubs.com/
• https://i.materialise.com/
• https://www.sculpteo.com/en/

You will find detailed assembly instructions further down this page.

Download the STL files

The Viking Lander STL files can be downloaded from NASA’s website.

Printing

If you choose to print your own model, follow these instructions. If you already have printed parts, skip down to the “Assembly” section.

Printer Setup

• Material ABS or PLA – we’ve found that silver or grey material works best
• Temperature – use the appropriate bed + nozzle temperatures based on the material you are looking to print
• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Fill Density: 10% (no specific fill pattern required)

Depending on your printer, you may or may not need to print supports or a brim around the smaller pieces. If so, you will need to clean off any excess supports or brim as needed.

STL Files

You can print the individual files or one file which has all of the combined parts.

Individual Parts:

1. 1x Viking 3D Bottom.stl
2. 1x Viking 3D Dish part A.stl
3. 1x Viking 3D Dish part B.stl
4. 3x Viking 3D Foot x 3.stl
5. 3x Viking 3D Leg x 3.stl
6. 1x Viking 3D Tool1 A.stl
7. 1x Viking 3D Tool1 B.stl
8. 1x Viking 3D Tool1 C.stl
9. 1x Viking 3D Tool2.stl
10. 1x Viking 3D Top.stl

Assembly

Materials

• Glue – Superglue or other adhesive that works on plastic 1.75 filament. We’ve found that the quicker it dries, the easier it is to assemble
• 1.75mm Filament – A few centimeters of filament to be used as plastic dowels (not mandatory)
• Small Pliers or scissors – to cut the Filament

Assembly

1. Find the parts Viking 3d Dish part A and Viking 3D Dish part B.
2. Take the angled Viking 3D Dish part B. Place a small amount of glue on the short angle segment of the shaft.
3. Take the Viking 3D Dish part A and push Part B into the back of the printed Dish.

4. Set aside to dry
5. Find the 3 parts: Tool1 part A, Tool1 part B and Tool1 part C.
6. Take Tool1 part B and place a dab of glue on the end without a hole.
7. Push Tool1 part B into the hole on the short side of Tool1 part A. *note, this hole is straight. Not the other angled hole in part A
8. If 1.75 filament is available. Push a segment into the small hole in the end of Part B. A dab of glue can be used here.
9. Cut the filament so only a small amount is sticking out (1-2 mm).
10. Find Tool part C and push it onto the filament on Part B. A dab of glue also should be used here

11. Set the completed Tool1 down to allow to dry
12. Find Viking 3D Bottom
13. If 1.75 filament is available. Push and trim the filament into each of the 8 small holes on the surface that was facing the print bed.
14. Find Viking 3D Top and match it up to the printed Bottom part. Match each of the 8 printed holes.
15. Optionally add glue to each of the pieces of filament sticking out of the Bottom segment.
16. Push both Top and Bottom segments together. Take care that all 8 holes line up as the two parts are pushed together.

17. Find the three printed Viking 3D Legs (3)
18. On the print bed facing surface of these legs you'll notice a rectangular indentation.
19. Pick up the just assembled main Viking body. Find the 3 protrusions on each of the three flat surfaces on the sides. Each of these 3 protrusions corresponds to the indentation on the legs.
20. Take your time and glue a Leg to a corresponding notch.
21. Repeat for all 3 printed Legs. Allow each leg to dry before starting the next.

22. Find the Dish part previously assembled and attach to the top of the main body.

23. Find Tool2 and glue into the diagonal hole beside one of the recently added legs

24. Find the assembled Tool1
25. Attach Tool1 with glue to the top surface of the Viking body.

26. Find the three printed Viking 3d Feet (3)
27. Add a dab of glue to the center post of each of the three feet.
28. Align the Viking model onto each of the 3 printed feet. Match up the printed notch to the feet and legs.

29. Set aside and allow the completed Viking model to dry.