3DPIA - TANGLED TWISTS TROPHY

myminifactory

3D Printing is unique in that it can manufacture intricate shapes and geometries that no other manufacturing method can. The "Tangled Twists Trophy" pushes the limit of the manufacturing capabilities of 3D printing.    Design Intent: A simplistic triangular base is coupled with some of the most intricate geometries found in nature. A variety of trees, vines, and branches snake around the trophy with complex twists and turns. The outside consists of a solid hollowed tree coupled with other branches that are optimized for a lattice structure, appearing futuristic and possibly alien. All of this is complimented with high resolution flowers surrounding the base, and a center tree that brings the hole piece together. The central trunk is broken down and its bark is almost all gone, nevertheless it stands strong surrounded by its neighboring branches.  Engineering/Printing Decisions: The entire base and the surrounding trees are designed to all be printed in SLA, while the center spire tree is designed to be printed in MJF. The base and the surrounding trees are optimized for SLA printing. The attached pictures show the lattice structure allows for resin to access tough areas. All of the solid components are hollowed/shelled out to save material, and have access to both large and microfeature drain holes to adequately drain resin during printing. The SLA and MJF components have mating features that require no additional parts, glue, or materials. The MJF tree is pressed into the center of the SLA base, and should be twisted until it is firmly locked (see attached pictures). The rotational channel of the SLA base is drafted to allow for a tighter friction fit the further you twist the MJF component. All mating features have 0.25 mm tolerance. Even this mating feature is a unique assembly method to 3D printed parts. The attached pictures with a gold base and dark center are renders. The attached pictures with the clear base and wooden center are photos of my print. I printed the SLA resin base on a Form 2 in clear resin. The center tree was printed on a Monoprice Mini V2 in wood PLA, and was stained.