clockspring3D

Surface Orb (vase and regular modes!)

Added 2025-08-30 18:08:49 +0000 UTC

Hey hey, wonderful people!

I'm a sucker for making colourful prints with basic techniques like filament swaps! But this model uses a somewhat different approach to taking advantage of that - the bottom layer has flexible extensions that are folded up and slotted into the walls of the container above it!

The bottom layer is modelled with a set of a 0.2mm thick features radiating outwards.

Those radiating strips are folded upwards, and manoeuvred into the grooves provided in the walls. Originally, the strip was bent around and guided in from underneath, but it was far too easy to accidentally fold the strip in the wrong place. So, now the design lets the strip be slotted in sideways (one side, and then the other).

Once all the ribbons are folded in, behold, we have fancy colours!

Print Description

There are two versions of the model provided:

Vase mode
Regular mode

Only the wall thickness varies between the versions, in that the vase mode version is completely solid of course, so that the slicer can process its profile correctly.

Both include lids!

Print Dimensions

The main body of the Surface Orb occupies 160mm x 160mm on the print bed and is 58mm tall.

Supports Needed?

Not at all! Designed for straightforward printing!

Scalability

Hmm, the question of scalability rests largely upon the impact on the radiating strips. As long as they stay flexible and can be folded and pushed into place, all should be well :)

Print Orientation

The main body of the Surface Orb prints right-way up, while the lids print upside-down.