Bee and Honeycomb Windchime

Inspired by bees and honeycomb and ideal in a garden setting.
Chimes are typically cylindrical hollow tubes but in keeping with the chosen theme hexagonal tubes were created.
This windchime consists of 6 hexagonal cell based hollow chimes of different lengths.
The hammer is also hexagonal shaped while the sail is in the shape of a bee.

Rather than just printing a number of random length tubes I applied some methodology in the design. 

The chimes lengths are calculated from the following formula.

L = (V/2f) - 0.8d (other formula with varying degrees of complexity exist). 
Where L =chime length (cm), V = velocity of sound in the material (m/s), f = base frequency (Hz) & d = chime diameter (mm)
After much searching I found that the velocity of sound in PLA covered a wide range 1630 m/s to 2400 m/s on the assumption that the velocity of sound in a layered polymer would be much slower than that of an homogenous metal pipe I selected the slower velocity.

Over a range of base frequencies from 196Hz to 660Hz the calculated lengths ranged from ~0.5m to 4m, all impractically long, I therefore applied a scale divider to produce practical ranges.

For practical chime lengths the calculated length was divided by 6.
Resulting in chime lengths of 202.47, 179.60, 161.31, 146.34, 133.87, 123.31 mm 

The other variables: Pipe diameter = 25mm, Wall thickness = 2mm
Additionally,  a hanging hole at 22.4% of the length and the lower section of the chime being tapered both applied to enhance the sound.

Although, the discontinuity of a 3D printed pipe due to gaps between the layers, other print process variables and material differences between manufacturers will likely result in significant variation in frequency against the calculations.

However, with the applied lengths as calculated they sound similar to bamboo chimes.

Print Details:
Filament:  PLA
Layer Height: 0.15mm
Walls: 4
Top/Bottom: Enable Ironing

Chimes
The chimes are printed as a complete group orientated vertically with the top of each chime in contact with the bed.
Size: 77(w) x 81.7(d) x 202(h) mm (individual chimes sizes are listed in the details above) 
Weight: 129g (individual weights vary by chime length)
Colour: Yellow
Infill 100%
Bed Adhesion: Brim
Brim location: Outside only
Travel: Avoid printed parts when travelling
Speed: 150 mm/s

Bee
The main parts of the bee is printed in yellow with a layer change using black filament to highlight the body parts, 
Size: 126.7(w) x 90(d) x 2.6(h) mm
Weight: 16g
Colour: Yellow and Black
Infill: 100%
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
Scale: X & Y = 200%, Z = 75%
Filament Change: Layer 13
Speed: 250 mm/s

Bee outline
The bee outline is attached to the back of the bee sail creating a double sided bee.
Size: 126.7(w) x 90(d) x 0.8(h) mm
Weight: 3g
Colour: Black
Infill: 100%
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
Speed: 250 mm/s

Hammer
Size: 58(w) x 52(d) x 10(h) mm
Weight: 15g
Colour: Black
Infill: 50%
Infill Pattern: Cubic Subdivision
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
Speed: 250 mm/s

Hanger
Size: 134.7(w) x 139.8(d) x 10(h) mm
Weight: 53g
Colour: Black
Infill: 50%
Infill Pattern: Cubic Subdivision
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
Speed: 250 mm/s

Hexapod
Size: 93(w) x 85.5(d) x 52.4(h) mm
Weight: 23g
Colour: Yellow
Infill: 100%
Bed Adhesion: Skirt
Speed: 250 mm/s

Other supplies
Self tapping screws M2 x 10mm - Qty 6 (stainless steel or brass to resist corrosion)
Environmentally resilient Plastic Adhesive (as an alternative to screws)
Mono Filament: 0.45mm diameter
Paracord: 2mm diameter

Tools
Cutters
Pliers
Sanding Paper/Needle Files
Clamp
1mm drill bit

Post Processing
Generally post processing should be minimal although this is subject to quality of the printing process.
The chimes are printed with a brim and some filing/sanding may be required on the top edge.
Additionally, the holes for the mono filament in the hanger may required clearing with a drill bit should they be blocked.

From experience PLA will last several seasons subject to thickness, infill, physical and environmental (temperature/moisture), stresses. 
An epoxy overcoat will aid environmental robustness sealing gaps to reduce moisture ingress.
Situated out of direct sunlight will reduce UV degradation (brittleness and colour fading). 
However, you may wish to use a more environmentally robust filament that may prove more robust in the longer term.
Some screws have been used for the assembly as this is to enable easy replacement of parts which may suffer the effects of the environment.

Assembly
Finalise the Sail (Bee)
Apply adhesive to the back of the bee outline.
Align the outline with the back of the sail and press in place until the adhesive has set.

Stringing the Chimes
To simplify the stringing process the chimes are hung using one single string.
Although, the string in this case is a mono filament.
On the chime hanger at the intersection of each hexagon on the perimeter in the spherical cavity, two holes will be evident. Using these holes a single line can be threaded continuous around the hanger whilst simultaneously threaded through each chime.

In order to simplify the threading process clamp the hanger to a table with the hanger protruding over the edge, determine the threading direction and thread the line through the appropriate hole passing the thread through the two holes in the chime and into the hole at the apex of the hexagon in the hanger and out at the perimeter, Pass the line through the next small hole which is next the the hole the line has exited.
Attach each chime in turn but before tying off the line ensure the top of each chime is level with the top of the hanger.
This will result in each chime hanging centrally within the hanger hexagon.
Tie off the line with several knots and trim off any excess.

Stringing the hammer and sail
Cut a length a line and tie the sail to one end.
Up from the sail tie several knots at the same location, slide the hammer down onto the knot.
Feed the line up through the centre of the hanger and position the hammer 5-10mm up from the bottom of the shortest chime.
Tie off the line with several knots and trim off the excess.

Fit the hexapod
Align the holes in the feet of the hexapod with the corresponding holes in the hanger.
Secure in place with 6 x 10mm self tapping screws, alternatively adhesive could be used.

Fit the hanging cord
Cut a length of paracord and fold in half, pass the two ends through the top hole in the hexapod, with a pair of pliers pull one end of the paracord through each side hole. Tie a knot on each end of the cord and pull the loop up to pull the knots inside.
Alternatively, stout wire or a hook may be used instead of paracord.

Finally
Find a suitable place to hang the windchime.

Further references.
The following link provides extensive details on wind chimes.
https://leehite.org/Chimes.htm
No affiliation to this site the author or any references contained within it.
Links valid at the time of publication.