One of the great strengths of 3D printing is that it makes creating objects with certain geometries much much easier than it would be with standard subtractive machining methods. things like thin-walled best spheres or objects with wild undercuts become trivial to make. A great case in point is these incredible 3D-printed twist vases.
The crucial concept behind the vases is that the shape of the container itself is the thread that binds the two halves together. [Devin] has built plenty over the years, continually experimenting with the design, making everything from a beneficial compact trash container to heavily-twisted, a lot more artistic pieces. [Devin] says they’re exceptionally satisfying to play with, and we’re inclined to agree – it’s particularly great to enjoy the higher-tolerance printed vases twist themselves closed under gravity.
Such designs aren’t actually all that new – there’s similar models on Thingiverse stretching all the way back to 2009. The great thing about the Internet as an ecosystem is that not only do lots of people often reinvent the same idea, they each give it their own special twist (pun unintended).
Without 3D printing, it would be very tough to create such vases. The tolerances of 3D printers these days make creating these sort of mating parts possible, though you can actually hear some of the vases making zipping sounds as they close due to the layer roughness. [Devin] takes the time in the video to walk through the process of actually creating a working twist vase, particularly with regards to the geometric parameters required for a successful part.
Files to make the vases are available on MiniFactory, including a trend-riding fidget toy based on the same concept. We’d love to see a lot more projects following this trend, so if you iterate your own designs, be sure to let us know on the idea line. Meanwhile, check out these 3D printed transparent vases.