Top 3D Printable 3DShare Models This Week — Keeping the “Fun” in Functional

Each week we review the top models from 3D Share’s website that allows people to upload and download models from the 3D file marketplace. Recent past weeks’ reviews of 3D Share’s models have been a wild ride through the vast spectrum of printable items, from nude figures, to Darth Vader-inspired political commentary, to useful everyday items — like toilet paper roll holders and reusable gift wrapping. This week the top 3D printable models land squarely on the side of fun/ctional: that’s 3D printing for you. Keeping the “fun” in functional all the while.

ARIA (Pendant Lamp)

This week’s first top model is a 11 x 11 x 15 cm modular lamp designed to be used with a cord set like Ikea’s Hemma and lighted with an LED bulb. “Castomized” gives us an organic design so you can modify it with colors and elements for your own interior design needs. This abstract piece can be as noticeable as you want it to be, but it can also be printed to make it more understated — blending into the surrounding scenery. You can download your own ARIA lamp design for 99 cents.

Table Top Foam Cutter

Do you need to cut lots of foam for craft projects, but don’t have the right device yet? Never worry: 3D Share comes through with one of this week’s top models, a table top foam cutter. From the photo you can see that the setup is quite basic. A 3D printed base grounds an arm that holds a top screw piece though which the cutting line extends.  What more could you need in a foam cutter? For 99 cents, you can download this simple piece, designed by scs640.

Candle Holder Sierpinski Elephants

At first it might unclear where the candle goes on this detailed elephant candle holder: it goes on the top. scolt’s detailed design, available for 99 cents, uses the “Sierpinski” triangle, an equilateral triangle that can be reduced down to smaller equilateral triangles, as the base of the design. The elephant motif is added for special effect: especially for those who can’t get enough of one of the planet’s smartest animals.

Modular Diamond Pen Holder — Micro!

This pen holder is Bassna’s entrance into the Micro M3D Competition, in collaboration with 3D Share. Made up from a series of connecting and colorful diamond embedded panels, with connectors and optional feet as well, you can print as many as you want for a fun desktop item that is practical as well. The designer notes you can use as many colors as you want for this pen holder, available for free to download.

Connector Set

There’s nothing like childhood memories to move us to design and/or print. And kids love to build. Inspired by Tinker Toys, this connector set, a 99 cent download designed by Lawrence Butts, is a modern take on an old favorite. The set includes spheres and different sized rods that can be used in any number of ways — your imagination is your only limit here. Recommended print settings include using a raft with external support on slow (default) speed, 20% infill, and two shells for best results.

Will you be making any of this weeks’ top designs? Let us know in the 3D Share Top Models forum thread over at 3DPB.com.