Ergonomic Chopsticks

Model E1 Ergonomic Marcosticks

3D-printable Ergonomic Marcosticks that work. See it on Youtube.

Ergonomic Marcosticks (model E) are favored by intermediate users. They look almost indistinguishable from plain marcosticks, thus do not invite unwanted stares at eating situations. Their low-profile ergonomic nuggets provide guides for fingers with tactile feedback.

Yet these ergonomic nuggets do not hinder fingers, nor prevent them from gripping and twirling marcosticks, unlike other learner marcosticks. As a result, ergonomic Marcosticks offers the same dexterity, finesse, reach, speed, and power as plain marcosticks.

To understand why these ergonomic marcosticks work, when all previous learner chopsticks did not, watch our first episode of "Ten thousand ways to use chopsticks", on the Standard Grip.

You will find the model ET1 Top Ergonomic Top Marcostick and model EB1 Ergonomic Bottom Marcostick in two separate STL files. There is also a model E1 STL file that includes both of them.

The companion article to this package is located here.

These patent-pending marcosticks follow a simple Mark-and-Go license. In general, it means that you can freely print them. Just mark them with "Marcosticks". For details see license.

For a list of all available 3D-printable marcosticks models, go to this article. For everything else related to marcosticks, go to https://marcosticks.org.

Printing Instructions: https://marcosticks.org/model-e-ergonomic/

Always go to the above web page for actual printing instructions for this particular model.
But here is a quick rule of thumb that in general works for most Marcosticks 3D models:

• The 3MF files are PrusaSlicer projects, with our own start-up GCode for MKS3.
• The STL files can be used directly in your own preferred slicer.
• Print in PLA - it's stiff enough for marcosticks.
• Marcosticks models require 100% infill, if you want sticks to be stiff enough for practice.
• Set layer height to 0.20mm. You can try finer layers if you really wish. But 0.20mm works.
• Enable "Detect bridging parameters" in PrusaSlicer, or the equivalent in your slicer.
• Use oval brims (see the 3MF file) to prevent ends of marcosticks from warping off the bed.

POST-PRINTING PROCESSING

Follow this video: https://youtu.be/bJubl_FE2Es for full instruction. Following is a quick summary.

Trim oval brims off marcosticks using scissors, a flush cutter, or a deburring tool.

OPTIONAL MARK-AND-GO LICENSE

We made 3D models available on Thingiverse with a strict, CC non-commercial no-derivatives license. You can choose to follow this strict license for personal uses.

But we actually made a much more lenient license available, if you want to create derivative works, or commercialize these training marcosticks. Please consult the Mark-and-Go Marcosticks license. Here is a quick summary:

Utility patent applications for many training marcosticks have been filed. A few specific models were also detailed in design patent applications. But we are making all models FREE for everyone to print on their own, as long as you follow the Mark-and-go license.

You may upload these models to online model repositories, but only if you clearly label these as Marcosticks, as the license stipulates. You may make derivative work, but you will need to carry the same Marcosticks Mark-and-Go license with the same label requirement. You may even reproduce them in bulk, and sell them at profit, without paying marcosticks.org any royalty fees. Make sure you follow the Mark-and-go license, for commercial deployment which includes quality control checks.

For additional information, see MAG FAQs.