Bubble Blocks 3D Printer Model

License: CC BY-NC-SA
File formats: stl
Download type: zip
Size:865.3KB

The file 'Bubble Blocks 3D Printer Model' is (stl) file type, size is 865.3KB.

Summary

When bubbles connect together to make foam they take on a complex structure known as the “Weaire–Phelan structure.” Some of the bubbles become 12-sided pentagonal dodecahedra (PD), other bubbles become 14-sided tetrakaidecahedra (TKD). These bubble blocks let you see how the different shaped bubbles connect and create “foam” structures.

See here for stable download: https://thangs.com/mythangs/file/35113

To start building, you will need to print a few of the “PD” and “TKD 4 tab” files. Once you start building with these, you will notice that the outward facing surfaces of the “TKD 4 tab” blocks have visible connecting tabs. If you would like to have a smooth, foam-like outer surface, print of some of the some of the other TKD files that only have one, two of three tabs. This will allow you to have a smooth other surface.

See here for video: https://youtu.be/QChSuaVTFSA

When setting up supports for these, be sure that you support the lower edge of the tabs. You will need to do some post-print clean-up. If you find that the snaps are too tight to connect, simply file down the edges of the tabs until you achieve the desired fit.
Expect to do some post processing to smooth the edges of the snap surfaces.

There is a good introduction to the “Weaire–Phelan structure” here: http://www.steelpillow.com/polyhedra/wp/wp.html

PD.stl 779.4KB
TKD_1_tab.stl 387.4KB
TKD_2_tab_base.stl 417.8KB
TKD_2_tab_side.stl 418.1KB
TKD_3_tab.stl 448.4KB
TKD_4_tab.stl 478.8KB