2024 3D Printing Industry Awards trophy proposal

The proposal for the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards - Trophy Design consists of the composition of two objects: a black star moving in a double spiral with variable pitch, and a fractured metal rock.

The star moving in a double spiral is to be printed in monochrome black, and the fractured rock to be printed with metal binder jetting. The metal part snugly fits on the black plastic spiral.

The star profile is a superformula, with parameters (5,2,7,7), and the spiral is a double spiral with variable pitch; the fractured exposed part of the rock was modeled with Perlin noise.

The black spiral materializes the movement of a two-dimensional star in 3D space and represents the evolution of 3D printing technology over the years, a story that unfolds literally in space: a star moving into the unknown.

The star is constructed with a complex mathematical formula that reveals the technical difficulty that the technology holds, and faces into the future.

Finally, the fractured rock shows us the disruption created by this technology since its popularization through the open-source RepRap movement to its widespread use by individuals around the world and modern industry.

The trophy was entirely modeled in OpenSCAD, including the generation of Perlin noise surface.

Both parts were design to be printed in SLS and metal binder jetting, respectively. The spiral travels trough space in a complex geometry with lots of overhangs and the rock does not have large flat sides. Both parts are difficult to print on a typical FDM 3D printer. Also notice that the biggest diagonal of a 45mm cube is ~77.942mm ;). 

The trophy reveals itself in new details and interpretations from various viewpoints. 

Top view

Lateral view

Front view

Perspective

Happy printing!