1 hour 3d prints


67 Cool Things to 3D Print

3D printing is such a fun way to produce creative work—and it has totally taken off. Now, creators are using this amazing new technology to create all kinds of wild and wonderful 3D printer projects that were previously all but impossible to make at home.

These 3D printer projects are a great addition to your online design portfolio. This is such a hot space that shows your mastery of this chic craft could win you some big new clients. You can showcase a collection of cool things to 3D print and some of your best 3D printings too.

Want to get in on this cool 3D prints trend? We’ve compiled a list of 67 inspiring 3D printing ideas to fuel your next 3D printer design. So, what can you make with a 3D printer? Well, there’s something cool for everyone!

Next in our list of cool things to 3D print is a simple project that can be completed in approximately one hour and will produce a whistle. It can produce an eye-popping 118db sound, perfect for camping or sporting events.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that earbud cords are a pain in the butt to keep organized. They constantly get tangled and eventually produce the dreaded earphone-crackle, rendering your treasured music-makers useless. This is a great example of what you can make with a 3D printer that can improve your everyday life.

A simple toy originally created for Settlers of Catan, this project is durable and (in our opinion) cute. This is one of those 3D printer projects you could use in a few ways: gaming, office desk decoration, children’s toy, you name it! Plus, T-Rexes are (always!) cool.

Organize your desk, and add a little flair at the same time! With these simple 3D printer designs, you’ll have all you need to generate truly unique desktop organizers that not only keep your stuff where it needs to be but look cool as well. You can 3D print a pencil holder that is unique to your own personality and have others mistaking your pencil holders again.

With a 3D printer you’ll be able to replace your dinnerware with new and original 3D printer designs in no time at all. Take this blueberry-themed bowl, for example. Why stop there? There are numerous other designs for plates and bowls out there to make eating at home a unique experience.

One of the cool things to 3D print is an abstract planter for your succulents and cacti. Why use traditional planters to hold your plants? There are cool 3D prints out there that don’t allow you to skip the traditional clay pots. These modular little guys are modern and fresh and guaranteed to make your mini-garden more attractive.

Get rid of those 72 measuring spoons from your utensil drawer and replace them all with a single implement! One of the most immediately useful and cool 3D prints in this list, it’ll make for an interesting tool that others will want when they see it.

Stop the tyranny of cords taking over your desk and entertainment unit and 3D print some space-saving cable management devices. You’ll cut back on desk clutter and all that cord-related aggravation. These are the blessed 3D printed objects that make life a little less annoying!

Nearly everyone these days has a smartphone, and we’ve likely all had moments where we wanted to prop up our phones for viewing video or photos and had to resort to piled books or whatever else is on hand. And it rarely works out as well as we hope! That makes this tiny project one of the coolest 3D printed objects on the list. Plus, they look like cats. Cats are good.

A perennial childhood favorite, kids love them just as much today. Of course, adults can enjoy these toys, too. They could be just the ticket to break through some creative block!

A truly inspiring 3D printing idea, these pop-out business cards allow you to speak to clients in a way they won’t have experienced many times (if ever) before! Rather than a drab piece of cardboard, hand them a toy they can assemble that speaks much louder than a traditional printed card.

Can’t sit still? Searching for a 3D printer project to help you focus? Look no further. Fidget spinners are an excellent way to occupy your mind, and this 3D printed object will definitely do the trick.

This is probably one of the most fun and cool things to 3D print, these gimmicky little toys are quite literally affixed to food items found in your house. A lemon helicopter? A banana-car? Why not! Easy to print and awesome for providing hours of enjoyment to restless rainy-day kiddos.

Definitely among the most interesting and cool things to 3D print in this list (and showcasing a bit more complexity than other entries), the dragonfly is a tiny little flying machine you can whip up in a short time. It’s perfect for providing a little entertainment for your kids on a rainy day.

Why settle for boring cutlery in your drawer? With minimal effort, you can produce some decorative handles for your eating utensils and wow visitors to your humble abode. When they inevitably ask “so, what can you print with a 3D printer?”, you can tell them they’re eating with it!

Drop your phone into these useful little devices to amplify the sound from its speakers. They offer surprisingly high-quality sound—and now you don’t need to lug portable speakers around on picnics or at the beach.

If you’re looking for some more simple and cool 3D printing ideas, consider 3D printing a set of drink coasters. Thanks to simple 3D printer designs like this, we won’t need to spend our hard-earned cash on flimsy little discs anymore. Make your own coasters with whatever designs you want, and say goodbye to tacky freebies and over-priced novelty ones. This idea makes for one of the cool things to 3D print as gifts!

If you’re an audiophile, you’ll truly appreciate this entry as one of the best things to 3d print. By converting audio files, you can create your own records that will play on turntables. Why limit it to music? Record your own special messages to loved ones and send out the love!

Simple 3D printer designs like this are great to have on hand. Hinges are always useful, and come in handy all over the house. These particular designs are super-simple, even by 3D printing standards, requiring just a single step!

With a sliding clasp, these unique chip clip designs work quite well and are fantastically simple things to 3D print.

A larger-scale project than other 3D printing ideas, the Drawing Machine is quite unique: attach a pen and create works of art from files on your computer. This 3D printer project can help you produce invitations, cards or any other manner of drawings.

Some nostalgic old-timey engineering comes into play with these uber-neat 3D printing ideas. Relive the past and have your desk decorated with a sign that uses something other than LED or LCD displays!

When it comes to 3D printing metal, there are people who may choose to use a laser cutter instead. The reason is that 3D printed projects using metal can be costly and time-consuming. However, the two are quite different. 3D printing is an additive process, while laser cutting is a subtractive process. Depending on your needs, those that are looking to create multiple pieces at a quicker pace may choose the laser cutter as it can conveniently cut multiple materials and larger size.

With digital trends of raw and rustic design, you might be considering 3D printing cool things at home with metal. However, printing metal is extremely costly due to its process and the machinery required. If you’re looking for cool things to 3D print at home with a metal-looking finish, we recommend using materials on the market that can create metal-like 3D printed objects instead. These materials give the illusion that your 3D printed pencil holder or camera mount is made out of metal but without the actual cost.

Thanks to 3D printing, it has also made highly-customizable prosthesis possible. One of the coolest things about 3D printed prosthesis is that they can create custom fits for the patient and also a much lower cost. Instead of creating static designs that are “one size fits all”, 3D print gives companies the opportunity to create products that are affordable and personalized. What would have cost lots of money to create is now more accessible thanks to 3D printed prostheses.

Beyond science, 3D printed homes and shelters have also become one of the cool things to 3D print across the world. To address the housing issue around the world, companies have been using this technology to print emergency shelters and 3D printed homes. With this technology, companies and cities can build a community in a much shorter amount of time and for a cost cheaper than traditional home building methods. Each home inside the community can then be purchased at a more affordable cost.

If you love architecture and buildings, companies have created kits that allow people to replicate architectural structures and other cool things with a 3D pen. For boardgame lovers, you 3D print your own figurines by drawing it with your 3D pen. You can also turn your favorite cartoon show characters or movie heroes into 3D. While a 3D pen allows you to draw 2D things to 3D, their limitation tends to be the size of the project you can make. If you’re looking to 3D print a life-size chair, it may be easier to use a printer because 3D pens may not be able to create something as durable.

  • Tangram: A super easy and fun game to play with your kids or friends. If you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to pass time, this 3D printed tangram makes for portable entertainment.
  • Klöts (Quick shoe ties): Some cool things to 3D print for your kids are these quick shoe ties. With this project, you’ll spend less time worrying about their shoelaces being undone and risking a fall.
  • Puzzle Keychain: This heart puzzle is perfect as a gift or personal use. If you’re tight on schedule for an anniversary or valentine’s day gift, this heart puzzle is one of the quickest things to 3D print.
  • Door Stop: Some things to 3D print for practical uses are these door stops. Whether you’re using it at home or for your office, printing them is super easy and fast.
  • Light Switch Locks: This definitely tops for cool things to 3D print, especially for parents. This awesome tool can prevent your kids from turning the lights on and off at home. Keep certain lights off to save energy.

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Now get out there, get creative, and start turning heads with amazing 3D creations!

Need some more design project inspiration?
How to Start a Creative Project by ADAMJK
5 Ways to Fund Your Personal Project
10 Steps to Building Your Perfect Online Portfolio

25 fun things to 3D print when bored

The weird mix between desire and languor known as boredom, typically happens due the lack inspiration or ideas. With a 3D printer sitting around where ever it may be, there is no excuse for letting boredom settle in and ruin a perfectly good time. So below I’ve collected 25 quick and easy items that are fun to print and even more enjoyable to play with, decorate and to share some laughter with friends and family.

1. Balloon-Powered Car

This interesting object is a car that can be powered using pressurized air. Apparently not the one you can travel with but a toy to keep the little ones occupied and probably enhance their curiosity about the principles of mechanics. It is a simple design by camarogeek15, which can be printed pretty quickly. You can check out the design and download it from the link above.

2. Flying Toy Helicopters

These little flying toys have been around for ages. But now they can be 3D printed anytime someone is in a smidgeon and need something to bring the color and joy back. They can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Just pull the tab and the copter zips up in the air. It never ceases to amaze. This model is by 3DBROOKLYN.

3. PolyPanels

Closely related to the idea of 3D printing, poly panels allow you create objects of your choice by joining parts together. Consider creating one with your own 3D printer as having a special ability to create anything you want to. One more thing is that you can replace any missing or bad fillet and create more in different shades. This project is available on Thingiverse via the above link. It was created by Benjamin_Lau. 

4. Yoyo

Yoyos has been around since eons ago. They are basically a simple toy consisting of two disks connected by an axle and a string tied around the axle. More features like lightning can be added to make the toy more sophisticated. Check out the design by Adafruit and download from the link above.  

5. Mini octopus

A recent post wrote about how octopus keeps surprising us. The animal is known to have three hearts and blue blood as well. The post described how remarkably intelligent an octopus is. This design by McGybeer is a mini replica of this beautiful animal and of course can be printed in different colors.

6. Infinity Cube

Maybe you are interested in testing your printers to the limit, then try printing an infinity cube. You should be prepared for this exercise though because it can last for hours. In other words, printing this infinite cube puts your patience to the test, but trust it will be fun nonetheless. This particular design is by acurazine.

7. 2-tone whistle

A whistle can come in handy during outdoor sport or to alert others in case of distress. This particular whistle is designed by mistertech and is capable of making two different tones. It can be printed using wood, PLA or ABS.

8. Mini Floor Stands

Floor stands are used to pass information to people such as the ones we see in public places at times, that informs us that it is wrong to park in a particular spot, as a floor stand may read “No parking”. Well we can print a mini version and place it on a table to give instructions such as “leave a note” “gone for lunch” and so on. Check out the model by muzz64.

9. 12 Hole Ocarina

Play your own tunes and create your own music with a 3D printed 12-hole Ocarina. It might not be a common musical instrument, but it is a very ancient one that is important in the Chinese culture particularly. The design files by RobSoundtrack can be downloaded from the link above.   

10. Low Poly Mask

You can rock this mask to your costume party, for Halloween or in any case you want to hide from boredom. As the name suggests, the mask is made up of a number of polygons. If you are a game of thrones fan, then this probably reminds you of the faceless man, Valhar Morgulis. You can download the mask design file by kongorilla from the link above.

11. Gear rollers

Printing a gear set eliminates the stress of having to assemble one after the various parts are made since a 3D printer literally creates it as an object assembled together. So now, the stress of assembling gear parts has been removed, leaving just the amusement of having a really cool key chain. The design file by 3DPPark can be downloaded from the link above.

12. Catapult

Does this remind you of war depicted in old movies? This design by LukeTansell is a mini version of the kind of catapults that is used to break down walls and fight battles in pre industrial themed movies.  

13. Flip Text

Flip text or objects are text printed on different planes to give the allusion of change. These prints have a magical and wondrous quality that plays on the perspective of the unsuspecting. They can be used to interest a friend or as a design piece for the home. This model was created by mrpr3D.

14. Thin Man

Creating a thin man is not a bad idea. You can hang them on your computer screen or furniture like a lot of people do. It is a simple and straightforward design by Skulpt that does not require any support whatsoever when printing it. The link to download the model file is given above.  

15. Fidget Spinner

Fidget spinners are a small spinning toy that resembles various shapes and objects. This model is by Dreidk. It can be printed very quickly and seamlessly. As simple as it looks, it is a very popular toy. It helps relieve anxiety and has been said to have helped people that find it difficult to concentrate, as well as people who get scared easily.  

16. Gyroscope

This object consists of intertwined rings that are meant to be printed together. The rings can rotate in different directions around an axis. That’s the idea of the name gyroscope. It can be used as a toy or even attached as a key holder. The model was created by NestorDBF and can be downloaded from the link above.

17. Wind-up car

This is a small toy car that promise to dig up memories of childhood. It consists of some parts that can be printed separately and then assembled after printing without using glue. Ready for a memory rush while assembling the wheels and parts of this wind-up car. The model was created by Dadddy and can found from the link above.

18. Articulating Slug

Forget that the word slug is used to describe, shall I say, lazy people. Actually, a slug is a worm like animal that has no shell. This design by 8ran, attempts to recreate this interesting boneless animal. There are some quite surprising facts about slugs, if you will read about them, but we know they are particularly sticky. This 3D printed slug too is designed to cling to your fingers.

19. Mini Pokémon collection box

How special Pokémon is, one of the leading comic franchises. Ever thought you need a safe haven for your collections? Print this special box for your Pokémon card collections. The box itself is a stylish design, something befitting for this special purpose. This is a model by cycstudio.

20. Puzzle Plane

The parts of this plane have to be printed individually then assembled after. This is perhaps why it is a puzzle plane after all. These parts are kept together using magnets. Please note that this object is not suitable for children that are below three years old because the magnets can dissociate from the parts and create a potential hazard. The magnets should be glued to the pockets that are available in the design carefully, then the parts can be assembled to form the plane. This model was created by Deemoss.  

21. Spinning tops

Another memorable toy, a spinning top is a toy that has been around for so many years. It is simply made to spin on a flat surface for as long as possible, while balancing itself on its tiny top. The design by mikeq is a very simple one. It consists of a round body in the middle of two short hollows (the tops). It can be printed in different colors.  

22. Lego bricks

Similar to the poly panels, Lego bricks can be used to build almost any object conceivable. The bricks are designed in such a way that they fasten when connected to another brick such that there is no need for glue or magnets. You can always print as many bricks as you want and build any object you can think of. The model is by hroncok.

23. Oreo Box

This box by hutchyx is designed to look exactly like a piece of Oreo cookie. It can be used to store anything and can be printed in different sizes. On a lighter note, don’t bite into it, it is not an Oreo sandwich cookie.

24. Tiny articulated bot

This tiny articulated bot can be used to decorate the workspace or even used as a toy. It is designed as a mini version of robots with popping intelligent eyes. It is a great gift idea for those who are interested in artificial intelligence and computer science in general. The link above is where to download the design files. The model was created by Bq3D.  

25.  Minecraft diamond ore lamp

Check out this amazing Minecraft lamp, looking so beautiful. The first step to creating a similar lamp is to 3D print this model by I_am_me from Thingiverse. After which the lights will be added, and it will fully transform to a lamp. Go on to the link above to download the design files and make one for yourself.

BONUS: One Hand Book Holder

This innovative design by ZenziWerken can help you read through a book effortlessly while holding it with a single hand. It consists of a hole that can fit the thumb and a structure that prevents the pages from flipping close in your hand. Now you can hold a book in one hand, while holding a cup of hot chocolate in the other.

Tags: 3D ModelsFilesFunPrintsProjectsThings to print

Maximum 3D printing speed when manufacturing items

The maximum production speed of Faberant Cube 3D printer is up to 40 cm3/hour.
(When the weight of the plastic is 1g/cm3 - 40g/h)

To achieve the maximum production speed, the following conditions must be met all :

1. The speed of movement and printing of all perimeters and filling is not lower than 100mm/sec.

2. The use of plastic that can be soldered well in layers at high speed printing (for example, PLA plastic).

3. Use of plastic that can heat up enough to melt throughout the extruder at high speed (eg PLA).

4. Use the extruder temperature to melt the plastic closer to the maximum for that plastic.

5. Use a nozzle with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a layer height of 0.3 mm.

6. Simple product geometry.

If you deviate from the above conditions, the production speed of products will be less than the maximum.

If it is necessary to increase the speed of manufacturing a product without changing the above conditions, then you can take advantage of one of the advantages of 3D printing that distinguishes it from other production methods - this is a change in the density of the internal filling (filling, infill).

Reducing infill density from 100% to 0 allows you to print the same product much faster.

Example: fill 0% - only side walls, bottom and top are printed on the product, it is empty inside. High manufacturing speed, but low strength.

Example: 20% fill - internal fill sufficient to support the walls of a product with complex geometry. High manufacturing speed, acceptable strength.

Example: 50% fill - dense internal filling. Good manufacturing speed, high strength.

Example: 100% fill - full internal fill. Low manufacturing speed, maximum strength.

Examples of simple products, 40 cm3, weight 40 g, for printing at maximum speed in 1 hour.

Example with 100% fill
size 4 *4*2.5 cm
material volume 40 cm3
print time 1 hour.

Download 3D-model file "Cube", size 4*4*2.5 cm, volume 40 cm3, with 100% fill.

Example with 20% fill
size 12 *4*2.5 cm
material volume 40 cm3
print time 1 hour.

Download 3D model file "Cube", size 12*4*2.5 cm, volume 40 cm3, with 20% fill.

In this example, an item 3 times as long, but with a sparse fill of 20%, is printed in the same time as an item 3 times smaller in length, but with a solid fill of 100%. This is because the volume of extruded plastic and the weight of both products is the same.

03/25/2020

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How fast to print?

3D printing is not a fast business. Considering that the FDM printing process is a layer-by-layer application of a plastic melt, and the layer thickness is from 0.1 to 0.4 mm, you can calculate that the printer will create from 250 to 1000 layers to print a part 10 cm high, each of which will represent many hundreds of lines.

Thus, a medium-sized part contains tens of thousands of lines.

How can I measure the print speed?

Let's take as an example some of the Prizma Octa 3D printer parts kit.

The leftmost part in the photo is the extruder base. Its volume is 88 cm3.

Some 3D printer manufacturers measure print speed in terms of volume printed per hour. For example, the specified part is printed on "Okta Prism" for 3.5 hours (210 min.) in the "Standard" mode. Thus, the printing speed in units of volume will be 25 cm3/hour. What does this tell us? Yes, actually, nothing.

After all, if you make the part hollow and reduce the number of layers on the side wall, then the printing speed will increase by 3 times and, accordingly, will be 75 cm3/hour. But you won’t be able to use such a part for its intended purpose - strength will not allow it.

Then what is the point of measuring the speed of printing in the printed volume per unit of time?

None.

The only meaningful unit for printing speed is grams per time.

The same extruder weighs 54 grams. Thus, the printing speed will be about 15 grams per hour.

And this is a measurement that already makes sense, because with the same layer thickness, the value will remain unchanged for all variants of model formation (there are some assumptions here, but the meaning is more true than for volume).

What will change if the layer thickness decreases?

The printer will print less weight in the same time. The printed weight will decrease several times (about 3 times). At the same time, visually, the “ribbing” of the model will significantly decrease.

But that's all. The strength will not increase, the geometry will not change.

That is, the value of the part as a structural element will not change. With a significant increase in printing time and the inconveniences associated with this (for example, if the printer is located in an office building, then a more or less voluminous part will be printed out for more than a working day - 8 hours, which will lead to the need to stay at work, or organize the work of the printer after hours - power supply, supervision, etc. ).

Paying attention to this fact, we considered it necessary to make two print modes, each of which has its own meaning.

In the Prism program, the print quality can be set to:

"Standard" and "High".

At the same time, the "Standard" mode provides guaranteed quality when creating parts of mechanisms and structures, while the "High" mode is necessary for printing products with increased requirements for visual perception.

Print speed in Fine quality mode is approximately one third slower than in Standard mode.

Standard quality mode prints most models up to 100 mm. for up to 5 hours, which allows you to see the simulation result during the working day, and sometimes even have time to correct the model and print the corrected version.

3D Printer "Pri z ma Octa" is designed as a working tool of the creator and is configured to perform exactly this function.

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