In the rapidly evolving world of personal transportation, few projects have captured the imagination of the maker community quite like the Mirandetta. Created by renowned designer and engineer Ivan Miranda, this 3D-printed electric motorbike is not merely a novelty; it is a masterclass in modular engineering. Designed to be completely disassembled and packed into a standard suitcase, the Mirandetta represents a bold experiment in "travel hacking," pushing the boundaries of what home-based additive manufacturing can achieve. Following the success of his one-off prototype, which debuted at the Prague Maker Faire, Miranda has now released the design files to the public. Available for $40 via his official website, the files offer enthusiasts the opportunity to replicate a machine that blurs the line between a practical electric vehicle and a high-stakes engineering challenge. Main Facts: A Technical Overview The Mirandetta is a feat of constraints-based design. Miranda re-engineered the entire vehicle to ensure that every individual component fits within a 300mm x 300mm build volume. This specific constraint was chosen to accommodate the Prusa CORE One L, a high-performance 3D printer that allows for the creation of larger, more robust structural parts than standard 250mm-class machines. The vehicle is powered by two 36V cordless power tool battery packs. This choice serves a dual purpose: it provides modular, hot-swappable power and offers a significant logistical advantage for travelers, as these batteries are generally easier to transport through airport security compared to custom, proprietary power cells. Key technical specifications include: Weight: Approximately 14kg (excluding batteries). Drive System: Belt-driven rear wheel powered by an electric motor. Electronics: Custom Arduino-based control system utilizing a 10K linear potentiometer for throttle input. Wheels: Custom-printed rims designed to force a rounded profile on standard lawnmower tires, enabling the bike to lean into corners—a maneuver typically impossible with flat-profile tires. Braking: Modified floating motorcycle discs, chosen specifically for their wide center bore, which allows a 3D-printed axle to pass through without compromising structural integrity. Chronology: From Travel Hack to Open-Source Project The Genesis (The 10-Day Prototype) The Mirandetta began as a "travel hack." Miranda sought to build the smallest possible electric motorbike capable of carrying an adult, with the primary objective being portability for international travel. The original iteration was assembled in just 10 days. At this stage, the design relied on off-the-shelf metallic components, such as aluminum wheel axles and heavy-duty metal steering assemblies, to handle the physical stresses of riding. The Refinement Phase Recognizing the demand for a version that could be replicated by the community, Miranda embarked on a rigorous redesign process. He noted that this phase was significantly more labor-intensive than building the original prototype. The goal was to remove "legacy" parts—components scavenged from other machines—and replace them with 3D-printed alternatives. This phase involved: Standardization: Replacing salvaged lighting components with readily available T10 automotive sockets and bulbs. Part Reduction: Streamlining the assembly process by reducing the total number of unique screws and fasteners. Optimization: Ensuring every structural piece could be printed on a 300mm x 300mm print bed, necessitating a complete overhaul of the chassis geometry. The Public Release Following the bike’s successful reception at the Prague Maker Faire, where it won the suitcase-build contest, Miranda officially released the design files. The project is currently being showcased at major maker events, including Open Sauce, to demonstrate the viability of the design to a wider audience. Supporting Data and Engineering Challenges The engineering behind the Mirandetta is characterized by clever workarounds to overcome the limitations of PLA/PETG/ABS materials. Perhaps the most ingenious solution is the tire-shaping technique. Lawnmower tires typically feature a flat tread profile that is ill-suited for the dynamic lean angles required of a motorbike. By printing narrower rims, Miranda forces the tire’s internal bead rings closer together. When inflated, the sidewalls are prevented from splaying outward, causing the tread to bulge into a rounded shape that allows for stable, controlled cornering. The braking system also highlights the transition from "hacked" parts to engineered solutions. Bicycle disc brakes were deemed insufficient for the weight and speed of the Mirandetta. Instead, Miranda turned to motorcycle-grade floating discs. By removing the rivets and opening up the center bore, he created a interface that could accept a custom-printed axle, balancing the need for stopping power with the inherent limitations of 3D-printed structural components. The electrical system utilizes a DC-DC converter to step down the 36V battery power to 12V for the lights and horn. This modular approach ensures that the vehicle remains reliable even when the battery packs are swapped out, reflecting a "field-repairable" philosophy that is rare in modern consumer electronics. Official Responses and Creator Philosophy Ivan Miranda has been candid about the nature of this project. He is not positioning the Mirandetta as a mass-market, "plug-and-play" consumer product. Instead, he describes it explicitly as a "complicated hobby build." By selling the files "as-is" and providing no formal technical support, Miranda is framing the Mirandetta as a challenge for experienced makers. He emphasizes that the project requires a significant investment of time, a high-quality printer capable of large-format production, and a solid understanding of mechanical assembly. His goal is to inspire creators to push their printers to the limit, rather than to provide a commercial alternative to store-bought electric scooters. Implications: The Future of "Printable" Mobility The release of the Mirandetta carries significant implications for the future of DIY engineering and additive manufacturing. 1. The Democratization of Complex Mobility For years, the idea of printing a vehicle was relegated to small-scale RC cars or static models. The Mirandetta proves that with smart design choices—such as leveraging standard power tool batteries and modular electronics—individuals can create functional, high-utility machines. This raises the question of how far home-based manufacturing can go: could we eventually see modular, 3D-printed cars or long-range commuter vehicles? 2. The Shift Toward Modular Design Miranda’s focus on the 300mm x 300mm print volume is a masterclass in designing for accessibility. By constraining the design to a common, albeit high-end, printer size, he ensures that the barrier to entry is technical skill rather than access to industrial manufacturing facilities. This encourages others in the open-source community to design within similar constraints, fostering an ecosystem of compatible parts and upgrades. 3. Sustainability and Repairability Unlike mass-produced electric scooters, which are often sealed, proprietary, and difficult to repair, the Mirandetta is designed to be taken apart. The use of standard fasteners, T10 bulbs, and off-the-shelf power tool batteries makes it an inherently sustainable design. If a part breaks, the owner does not need to contact a manufacturer; they simply return to their printer, download the file, and produce a replacement. 4. Regulatory and Safety Considerations While the Mirandetta is an impressive engineering achievement, it brings to the fore the lack of regulatory frameworks for DIY electric vehicles. As these machines become more capable, the line between a "hobby project" and a "road-legal vehicle" becomes increasingly blurred. Safety remains the primary concern; 3D-printed parts, even when optimized, do not have the fatigue resistance of forged steel or aircraft-grade aluminum. Miranda’s transparency about the difficulty and the "as-is" nature of the design is a necessary safeguard against users who might underestimate the risks involved in building a vehicle from plastic. Conclusion The Mirandetta stands as a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the rapid maturation of home 3D printing. By turning the constraints of the printer bed into a design opportunity, Ivan Miranda has created something that is not only functional but deeply compelling. Whether it remains a "complicated hobby build" or serves as the foundation for a new movement in personal, foldable, and printable transportation, the Mirandetta has undeniably shifted the goalposts for what is possible in the maker workshop. It is a reminder that the most exciting innovations often come not from large corporations, but from individuals who look at a suitcase and see not just luggage, but the chassis of a future machine. Post navigation The Mirandetta: Engineering the World’s Most Portable 3D-Printed Motorbike
