Counterswirl Top – Generation 2 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-NC-SA
File formats: 3mf,stl
Download type: zip
Size:11.4MB

The file 'Counterswirl Top – Generation 2 3D Printer Model' is (3mf,stl) file type, size is 11.4MB.

Summary

This is a new take on my Counterswirl Top. The original top had 2 arms twisting clockwise and 10 arms twisting counterclockwise. This has 3 and 12, which increases the mass and lessens the impact of small irregularities or alignment issues. It spins beautifully at any size from 100% to 55%.

Want to show off your top? Download my Display Stand for Tops. It prints in as little as 10 minutes!

To get the stem of the 55% to print well, I created a new version of the STLs with thicker stems. I also added GCODE to my 3MF file to drop the print head temp down to 177 at 10.50 mm. That worked really well, but I also found that printing two at once improves the print quality of the stem even more. So, the 3MF and GCODE files I've provided for 55% include pieces for 2 tops.

If you want to print the 1 piece top, I'd suggest doing it inverted with the provided support collar. It goes around the stem and keeps the top from wobbling while it prints. The collar breaks away easily once the print is done if you get it adjusted right for your printer. I tried this technique with another of my tops and it worked OK, but the final print quality was pretty rough on top and it didn't spin better. It also took a lot longer and required more filament. Still, if you want to print the top as one piece, I recommend using the stem and printing just the first 30mm (takes about 45 minutes). While the print is still on the plate, try moving the stem sideways to see if it has give. Then, remove it from the plate and the collar and see if it was too tight. Then, scale the collar up or down as needed (probably no more than 0.5 - 1%).

This is a great design for 2 or 3 color filament, rainbow filament, or adding color changes by swapping filament.

Counterswirl_Top_Gen2_100_Percent.3mf 1.1MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen2_70_Percent.3mf 1.1MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen2_85_Percent.3mf 1.1MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_55_Percent_Bottom_Half.stl 1.7MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_55_Percent_Top_Half.stl 2.0MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_55_Percent_Whole_Top.stl 3.5MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_55_Percent_x2.3mf 1015.7KB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_Bottom_Half.stl 2.0MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_Top_Half.stl 2.1MB
Counterswirl_Top_Gen_2_Whole_Top.stl 3.9MB
Support_Collar.stl 50.7KB