James Webb Telescope Wall Art

Fully 3d printable JWST wall art. I wanted to print the hexagons rather than using acrylic or a printed sticker design to give color to the model so I designed a new model rather than trying to retrofit/modify other models

I designed all parts to be printable on the MK3s (it might be able to scale down to the Mini print bed size but I haven't test that yet). I printed and tested all parts with 0.6mm nozzle but 0.4mm should work just as well. All parts are supportless, except for the Top Outline

Parts needed to print:

• 18x Hexagons
• 1x Center Hex
• 6x Outlines
• 6x Support ring

Printing Recommendations:

Keep in mind I set up parts for 0.6 nozzle but I checked parts in slicer for 0.4 nozzle

Hexagons can be printed in a few different ways depending on your filament/desired outcome. 

• For gradient filaments you can print them standing upright for subtle gradient transfers. 
• For silk/metallic (or standard) filaments you can print them face down with a concentric or octagram spiral bottom infill for a more “shimmery” design. Using a textured build plate with filaments that have glitter also gave it an extra sparkle effect while hiding lines but still showing the concentric or octagram spiral effects
• Hexagons can be printed in spiral vase mode (vertically and horizontally). Works well with translucent filaments and gives the it some depth. I have provided an alternate variation of the vertical hex with only face and sides. If you are using LEDs this verision of the hex will cast shadows, as the regular vase mode vertical hex will not be as noticeable
• I included 7.5mm, 9.5 (flush fitting), 10mm, and 15 mm thick hexagons for different effects if using translucent filaments. *the 15mm hexagons will not fit correctly in the thin outlines* 
• The fitment can be tight for the hexagons, elephants foot and top layers can effect the fitment. If brims are used for support for printing vertical then they need to be fully removed

Hexagons:

• The gray hexagons I printed 3 at a time horizontally (can customize face design with bottom infill type)
  • 0.3mm Layer height, 1 Perimeter, 0% Infill, 0 Top Layers, 4 or5 Bottom Layers
  • Height range modifier 0-0.5mm: at least 130 perimeters (gives concentric infill look for first 2/3 layers)
  • I changed Infill Fill Angle 45→30 for more aligned/perpendicular infill to the walls
• The nebula hexagons printed vertically in spiral vase mode (gradient color transfers to mimic nebulae/space dust, shows glitter better for a starry look (thicker layers are better))
  • you can print multiples with 1 or 2 walls for a more uniform gradient effect across the tiles. The nebula filament I used had a fairly quick gradient transition so I printed them separately
• Elephants foot on the hexagons can make them difficult to insert (a small elephants foot is okay). If the e.f. is too bad, increase the elephants foot compensation value in slicer by 0.1

Center Hex:

• Change infill Fill Angle 45→30 (or any multiple of 30). This will make infill more aligned for a cleaner look
• Can use concentric or octagram spiral bottom infill for different looks. If using octagram spiral, keep infill fill angle at 45 or 90 or it will be off center
• The logos are inset slightly so you can easily filament change for different color combinations

Outline Parts:

• There are some small tapered edges (45 and 60 deg), I recommend at least 0.2 layer height, but 0.3 layer height worked okay too
• I printed with all perimeters (5 for 0.6 nozzle or 7/8 for 0.4 nozzle)
• Model with skirt will fit in original orientation, adjust Y position value to 104.5. If you need to spin the model, reduce distance from skirt to object or turn skirt off

Top Outline:

• I used painted supports on the hanger portion (automatic paint on supports works well)
  • If you select support on build plate then it will put supports along the outside perimeter as well which is not needed
• Organic supports. Grid/snug supports work fine too

ASSEMBLY:

1. Insert hexagons into outline slots. 

• If you are printing hexagons vertically, I recommend laying out the hexagons to get the pattern/layer line direction you want before inserting
• There are 2 slots with smaller walls, to easier assemble hexes into these slots:
  • Insert 1 corner of hex into corner of short wall at an angle. It should sit on/near the lip
  • Hold the hex in place with a finger and lower the opposite corner into the slot
  • With opposite corner started/inserted (keep finger on original corner), you can pop the other corners in

2. Slide the support rings in the slot around the inside of the outer wall. it fits between the outside edge wall and the hexagon slots with short walls. There is a small lip to hold it in place, you may need to insert at a slight angle or remove a hex to easier insert

3. Insert Center hex onto outlines

Colors used in models:

• ProtoPasta Wonder Black HTPLA (black with multicolor glitter)
• ProtoPasta Nebula Multicolor HTPLA 

• ProtoPasta Wonder Black HTPLA (black with multicolor glitter)
• ProtoPasta Atomic Age Gray HTPLA (gray with gold glitter)