Flower Pot With Shower and Lights

Hello all, I have designed a flower put, which could be 3D printed, this unit can house a pump to shower water and lights. I used a salvaged pump unit from a soap dispenser, you can get one such peristaltic pump, as shown in picture from Amazon or Ebay and had different types of string lights running on battery. This will also require some glass beads and select the small plant you wish to grow, ensure that it could survive purely on water, as in this design the water is pumped and showers down in to the pot.

Before starting to design, it is very necessary to plan how big you want, it could be limited to your plant, your pump & battery unit or size your printer can print. My limitation was the pump unit and printer size, I can print 8.5 inch cube.

I have used transparent PLA for the middle part, so that light could flow out of it.

Supplies

1) 3D printed parts

2) Pump

3) string light

4) battery holder

5) wires

6) switch

7) water

8) glass beads

9) small plant

10) glue

Step 1: Design in Fusion 360 - Step 1

I am new to Fusion 360, so I might have taken more steps than required.

As I could print 8.5 inch cube and designed within that range, still I sliced parts into half to increase speed of print and reduce material waste, as putting whole design to print would demand to much of material for producing support, plus I don't want the product surface to have marks made due to supports.

First make a torus, with center or inner diameter as 7.5 inch and 1 inch as section or torus diameter, this will lead to max outer diameter of 8.5 inch and I will have a room of 6.5 inch inner diameter

Step 2: Making Reference Plane for Second Torus

The way we need this design, the plane should be at an offset to XZ plane = diameter of torus - section diameter = 7.5 inch - 0.5 inch = 6.5 inch

Step 3: Make Second Torus Same Size on the New Reference Plane

Make second torus same size on the new reference plane

Step 4: Sketch a Square or Rectangle on XZ Plane to Cut Away a Quarter From Both Torus

Sketch a square or rectangle on XZ plane to cut away a quarter from both torus

Step 5: Extrude Cut to Remove Quarter From Both Torus

Extrude cut to remove quarter from both torus

Step 6: Make Two Reference Planes to Make and Split Vertical Torus

The space between the two torus is 6.5 inch, the new reference plane should be at an offset of 6.5 / 2 = 3.25 inch from the two vertical planes (XY & YZ)

Step 7: Take One Plane to Make Vertical Torus

Take one plane to make vertical torus, with diameter of 6.5 inch and section diameter of 1 inch, its center should be between the center of the two torus

Step 8: Split the Vertical Torus With Other Offset Plane

Split the vertical torus with other offset plane and hide the unwanted split torus body

Step 9: Move the Vertical Torus Part If Required

Move the vertical torus part if required

Step 10: Make a Mid Plane to Mirror the Vertical Torus

Make a mid plane to mirror the vertical torus

Step 11: Mirror the Vertical Torus Body

Mirror the vertical torus body about the recently created plane

Step 12: Combine All the Bodies

Combine all the bodies

Step 13: Make a Fillet

Make a fillet, to remove sharp edge

Step 14: Make Shell

Make shell with 0.0625 inch wall thickness

Step 15: Sketch on the Plane Used for Mirror

Make a sketch on the plane used for mirror with offset from outer edges, such that the distance between the two offset is 0.125 inch and is a closed loop geometry to extrude to form solid

Step 16: Extrude to Form Solid

Extrude to form solid, such that it extends on both sides beyond the loop body

Step 17: Copy the Outer Surface of the Loop

Copy the outer surface of the loop, for that go to Surface tab, by the side of Solid tab on the top, then go to Create > Offset, select the outer faces of the torus loop and set the offset as 0 (zero) to create offset surface

Step 18: Use Surface to Split the Extruded Solid Body

Use surface to split the extruded solid body

Step 19: Image Shows the Three Split Bodies

Image shows the three split bodies

Step 20: Hide the Unwanted Body

Hide the unwanted body

Step 21: Make Duplicate of the Middle Loop

Make duplicate of the middle loop, this step will make more sense when you see the next step

Step 22: Move the Duplicate / Copy Away

Move the duplicate / copy away, that way it is easy for selection and we will bring this back to same place, so remember how and by what value it is moved

Step 23: Split the Loop Made by Torus With Middle Extruded and Split Solid

Split the loop made by torus with middle extruded and split solid, select the loop made by torus as target body and the middle extruded + split solid as tool body

Step 24: View Shows Duplicate Moved Out While the Loop Is Split in Two

View shows duplicate moved out while the loop is split in two

Step 25: Move the Duplicate Inner Loop Back in Place

Move the duplicate inner loop back in place

Step 26: Combine the Two Bodies of Middle Loop

Combine the two bodies of middle loop, so that we could have base to place the pot

Step 27: Create Plane to Make Sketch for Pot

Create plane to make sketch for pot, I made 3 inch offset from XZ plane, as my pump unit is less than 2.5 inch high

Step 28: Create Sketch for Pot

Create sketch for pot on the plane created previously, I made hex, you can use any polygon

Step 29: Create Sketch to Make Guide for Sweep

Create sketch to make guide for sweep, I created a line on the plane which we used for mirror, such that it touches the polygon sketch created, up to the inner face of the middle loop

Step 30: Create Sweep Solid for Pot

I wanted to have unique shape, so while sweeping solid, I added a taper and rotation

Step 31: Create Another Sweep Solid Turning Other Direction

Create another sweep solid turning other direction, using same sketches

Step 32: Combine the Two Sweep Solid for the Pot

Combine the two sweep solid for the pot

Step 33: Shell the Pot

Create the shell feature on the pot with wall thickness as 0.0625 inch

Step 34: Select the Bottom Face of the Pot to Sketch

Select the bottom face of the pot to sketch, my pump unit is 2.875 inch diameter, so I need housing wall as 0.0625 inch, so the housing outer diameter = 2.875 inch + (0.0625 inch x 2) = 3 inch

Step 35: Extrude Sketch to Make Room for the Pump Unit

Extrude sketch to make room for the pump unit, my pump unit is less than 2.5 inch, so I took that height

Step 36: Sketch an Offset Circle to Make Room for Pump Unit

Sketch an offset circle to make room for pump unit, I need the wall thickness to be 0.0625 inch, so the diameter of the circle is 3 inch - ( 0.0625 inch x 2) = 2.875 inch, the sketch is made on the same plane selected previously

Step 37: Extrude Cut to Make Room for Pump Unit

Extrude cut to make room for pump unit, I have kept the upper wall thickness of 0.0625 inch, so 2.5 inch - 0.0625 inch = 2.4375 inch

Step 38: Create a Plane to Make Hole for Pump Inlet Tube

I created an offset plane from XZ plane at 1 inch, this is the minimum water level I wish to have in the pot, if you need more water height in the pot, than raise the offset distance.

Step 39: Create Sketch to Make Revolved Cut for Pump Inlet Tube

Create sketch to make revolved cut for pump inlet tube, I created a rectangle with width as the pump tube outer radius, on the previous plane created.

Step 40: Create Revolved Cut for Pump Inlet Tube

Create revolved cut for pump inlet tube

Step 41: Select the Upper Flat Face of Inner Loop, to Make Sketch for Shower Holes

Select the upper flat face of inner loop, to make sketch for shower holes

Step 42: Create Sketch for Shower Hole

Create sketch for shower hole, I made a rectangle such that one of its line passes through the center of the loop circle, which will be used as axis of rotation and the thickness is equal to the radius of hole size I require. As I had already planned the number of holes require, I have dropped the rectangle at an angle, for my ease to pattern later.

Step 43: Create Revolve Cut for Shower Hole

Create revolve cut for shower hole

Step 44: Create Pattern of the Holes for Shower

Create pattern of the holes for shower, depending on how many you have planned

Step 45: Select the Bottom Face of Middle Loop Body to Make Sketch for Cut Out on Outer Loop

Select the bottom face of middle loop body to make sketch for cut out on outer loop, this will be required to pass the pump outlet tube and the light wire

Step 46: Sketch for Cut Out on Outer Loop

Sketch for cut out on outer loop

Step 47: Extrude Cut From Outer Loop

Extrude cut from outer loop, this will help to pass the pump outlet tube to the middle loop and to pass the light wire through outer loop.

Step 48: Select the Bottom Face of Middle Loop Body to Make Sketch for Holes for Tube & Wire

Select the bottom face of middle loop body to make sketch for holes for tube & wire

Step 49: Sketch Two Holes for the Tube and Wires to Pass

Make the center hole bigger, to pass pump outlet tube and the wires for lights and the outer circle small enough to pass the tube coming from the middle hole.

Step 50: Extrude Cut to Make Hole for Pump Tube

Extrude cut to make hole for pump tube, the outlet of the pump will pass through the the center hole out and will be glue when that tube enters the next hole.

Step 51: Select the Top Face of Middle Loop Body for Making Sketch for Pot Alignment

Select the top face of middle loop body for making sketch for pot alignment

Step 52: Create Two Concentric Circle Sketch for Positioning the Pot

As my pump unit fits into the pot and that pump has 2.5 inch diameter pocket of 0.125 inch deep, so I made a circle of 2.4375 inch and and didn't want to waste to much material and time on it, so to make it thin I made a circle at an offset of 0.625 inch inwards.

Step 53: Extrude Feature for Positioning the Pot at Center

Extrude the ring with minimum thickness, as this will only help us to place the pot at the center

Step 54: Creating a Mid Plane for Reference

The model is ready, but we are further splitting the bodies to make simple for printing.

Create a mid plane for reference, using either the two outer flat faces or the two inner flat faces, at top and bottom.

Step 55: Creating an Offset Plane Upwards for Splitting

Create an offset plane upwards for splitting, say by 1/4 inch (0.25) from the previous mid plane

Step 56: Creating an Offset Plane Downwards for Splitting

Create an offset plane downwards for splitting, say by 1/4 inch (0.25) from the mid plane

Step 57: Slicing the Middle Loop Body in Two Bodies

Select the middle loop body as the body to split and a plane as splitting tool, use either the top or the bottom offset plane

Step 58: Slicing the Outer Most Loop Body in Two Bodies

Select the outer most loop body as the body to split and the plane as splitting tool, ensure that selected offset plane it is not the same plane used to split the middle loop

Step 59: Slicing the Inner Most Loop Body in Two Bodies

Select the same plane that was used to slice the outer most loop body, as splitting tool and select the inner most loop as the body to split

Step 60: Number of Bodies Created

In the attached image you can see the different bodies created

Step 61: Export All Bodies As Individual STL Files

Basically to export all bodies as individual STL files, hide all bodies except one that you wish to export, than select in UI File > Export, a "Export" window opens up with, type the file name, select the Type as STL format and the suitable location to save and click on "Export".

Step 62: 3D Print Parts

I tried my best to print these parts 1:1 scale, but wasted a lot of time and material due to my printer failure, so I decided to print half size. Print all with 100%, with 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer height, with full scale, the parts will require a day for printing. Always try to place the model such that you have flat face at the bottom and not just an edge, have the product surface up or outwards, add supports, refer the attached images for example.

Step 63: Assembly

Sorry, I dropped the glue and was not able to finish the project over the weekend, due to lockdown. I will try my best to upload the image for the assembly process as soon as possible.

Assembly process

1) There are total 7 printed parts, first take the pot and assemble the pump unit in it, the inlet of the pump should come out of the small hole made on cylindrical wall and the outlet should come down

2) Pull the outlet tube from the center hole from the middle loop bottom half and pull it back to next small hole, pull the wire from the battery holder for the light

3) Now stick the inner loop bottom part and stick the edges, ensure the joint is leak proof

4) Now glue the middle loop upper half to inner loop upper half

5) now join the two sub-assemblies such that the loop is complete and leak proof joints, run the pump with water and move to next step when you get successful shower of water

6) now connect the light and see if it runs

7) arrange the light on the outer surface of middle loop, such that it will fit in the outer loop, if required use hot glue gun, see that the light wire is entering from the same hole close to the pump outlet tube at the bottom

8) once printed parts are assembled, run the whole unit and if successful run then move to next

9) Now add plant in the pot, the glass beads and water close up to rim of the pot, you are ready