Final Project: Test Prints and Design Tweaks

It's hard to believe that the semester will be over in just two weeks - how time flies! It's really down to the wire in finishing the projects I have for this class and for others, so right now, I'm just trying to stay afloat. Luckily, a lot of progress has been made on my final project here that I'm happy to show off.

First and foremost: in order to print a 3D object, you need to make a 3D model, and I've done just that for the amiibo stand. Take a look:

Yes, the model's been recolored pink, and I am absolutely in love.

I've changed my mind from the initial design - having the half-circle's opening facing away from the viewer - to having the circle's opening face towards the viewer. I etched in my take on the "amiibo" logo by first creating a flat sketch, then creating an extruded cut to a surface offset from the inner curve. After creating the model and the etching, I split the model into six parts with more extruded cuts, then pieced everything back together in an assembly. Now, the pieces are set to each be printed individually with our 3D printers.

But that's not all I've done; I've even got a test print to show, and it's got something completely new attached to it.

That lollipop-looking piece in the back is going to be for vinyl designs. Since there are six pieces of the base total, I'll be making six different designs based on some of my favorite games and characters, and after cutting them from the vinyl, I'll be able to put them right on those lollipop circles. I received help in tapping both the circular lollipop disc and the base of the stand, so the metal rod shown in the photos easily screws in and out of both pieces. If all goes well, I can move the designs from base to base, depending on the setup I'm going for that day.

There are also the two holes in the side of the base meant for ceramic disc magnets I bought at Ace Hardware.  The magnets will hold the pieces of the base together without any need for permanent adhesive. This will be especially nice for storage, as I can stack the bases on top of each other rather than always needing to have everything connected.

Here is a picture of the test piece from above, along with 5 additional printed templates of the remaining base parts.  Unfortunately, I didn't include an object in my photo for scale, but the half-circle is about the size of a standard laptop computer, or perhaps slightly less.

That's all the updates I have for now - I wanted to include a few photos of the process of prepping the metal rods which connect the circular discs to the bases, but unfortunately I wasn't able to receive the photos (which was likely just some error with my email - so, my apologies!). I'll have to post those later - it's a weird process but very cool regardless! For now, I'll leave you with one final picture: one of my amiibo resting in the test print base.

Paige Ruka