Customizable Sphere Tube / Cup

Summary

Just something I created while playing around with Openscad. Making something useful wasn’t really the object of the exercise but I’ve included some code that gives you the option to close and flatten one end so it can be used as a container (see photos). I have to say the finished print is really pleasingly tactile :-)

The tube is created by generating spheres in an upward spiralling sequence. There’s whole bunch variables to change so I encourage you to play around with it and create your own remixes

Get OpenSCAD

I strongly recommend Downloading OpenSCAD rather than trying Customizer. OpenSCAD is small, free to download, simple to use, plus a whole bunch of other advantages over using Customizer.

Attched files

Sphere_tube_03_opt.stl

Has been optimized for ease of upload and download. The original was created at high resolution ($fn=80) resulting in a 120 MB file size, it took more than 6 hours to render.

Sphere_tube_03_SPiralize_Outer_Contour.stl

Has been edited for printing in "Vase" mode (or "SPiralize Outer Contour" mode if you're a Cura user, like me). I edited the mesh outside of openscad to create this file but I'll update the code when I get a chance, so it will be an option within the scad file itself, in the future.

Sphere_tube_04_opt.stl

Is a thinner than the 03 version and the sphere overlap slightly less making their shape more pronounced.

Makes

As always if you do make one pleas do share a photo of your make. thanks

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Ultimaker

Printer:

Resolution:

0.1 mm layers, 0.4 nozzle

Infill:

Filament: rigid.ink PLA olive green

Notes:

Category: Containers