Introduction: White House Ornament
A 3D printable ornament that embeds The White House, snowflakes, and some themed text within a transparent globe.
Step 1: Printing
This ornament requires a high accuracy, multi-material printer - an Objet Connex3 machine is ideal but any of the similar platforms can be used. The various stl's should be selected with appropriate clarity/color: The White House in white, the "snowflakes" in white, the text in black, and the bulb in clear. Scale stl's if desired - the stock size is about 2.5 x 2.5 x 3 inches.
Step 2: Post Processing - Sanding
Right off the printer, the clarity level will be quite low. Utilize multiple grits of sandpaper to sand away layer lines. Start with low grit and work through the higher grits - 320, 400, 600, 800, 1200. Sand until layer lines have been removed as much as possible and the surface is very smooth.
Step 3: Post Processing - Clear Coating
Add a coating of clear varnish to further improve clarity.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Contact for any questions!
Participated in the
3D Printed Ornament Design Challenge
15 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
How does this work? How do you suspend/support all of the colored pieces while the clear is printing?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
It all prints as one. This ornament requires a multi-material printer. Consumer level extrusion style printers could never print this.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
So is that the kind of printer that will be used by the judges if it is selected by the White House?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I wish I knew the answer to that too. I couldn't find anywhere what printers are available or how to mail in a copy I print myself.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
We will be printing on an objet printer :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
May I ask which model?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
objet connex 500 with vero white material
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Ah, so that means that this ornament is out of the running for the challenge. Maybe if you run the challenge next year, you can state up front what printing method you will be using. This will help all the designers create ornaments that can actually be printed.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I agree, if we run a contest like this again, we will definitely be more clear about requirements :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Does it....? Nowhere in the official rules is there any mention of "design an ornament for a consumer level extrusion printer." Granted, few consumers will be willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a Connex3, but that doesn't mean they don't exist and people don't have access to them.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Only VeroWhite? The Connex500 can certainly print with VeroWhite + VeroClear if you have the cartridges.
If I have access to a Connex3 can I print my own copy and make it available..?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
We had initially decided to only print in one material for this challenge due to the short timeframe (winning ornaments need to be at the White House by the 20th!) so we are trying to simplify things as much as possible. If the judges absolutely must have this ornament, then we will cross that bridge when we come to it :)
8 years ago on Introduction
This is amazing! It looks great and really cool. I like how you didn't just make the ornament completely on a software but also did some of your own handiwork to make it look like it does now
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
The photos are just renders from a CAD package. I am set up to print and process the ornament but haven't actually gotten around to it.
8 years ago on Introduction
Wow the ornament is gorgeous, and I love all the different techniques you used.