Oversize Framework Ornaments based on Playground Balls

Oversized outdoor ornaments similar to crocheted covers, designed for outdoor use
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updated December 1, 2023

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Three different versions of ornament covers, designed to fit around inflatable playground balls (about 16 inches/40 cm).

The straight cage is a simple loop around the middle with six struts running up and down from the middle to a top and bottom connector. The middle “equator” band is split into six pieces, with six joints to connect them to each other and to the six struts. Each strut is split into four pieces, two running from each joint to the top cap, two more to the bottom, with a vertical joint to connect each pair. The top cap has a loop designed in to allow the finished ornament to be hung. The middle bar is the largest piece, with a length of about 140 mm, so should just barely fit on a 100x100 base plate. The bars will all lie flat on the plate, but the joints will need supports. Print one top cap, one bottom cap, 6 middle bars, 24 vertical bars, 6 middle joints, and 12 vertical joints

The snowflake pattern is based on the cage, but replaces the middle band with six large snowflakes that join end to end. Each snowflake then has two vertical braces - top and bottom - to join them to the same top and bottom cap as the original cage.  There's just no way around it, the snowflake itself is awkward to print with no flat surfaces. I printed it back-side-down (see the pictures) with tree supports, and it worked pretty well. Longest dimension is about 200 mm. The vertical bar is even longer, about 250 mm, so I've included an alternate shorter version. Print one top cap, one bottom cap (both from the straight cage model), six snowflakes, and 12 vertical bars. If you're using the alternate shorter bars, print 24 of them plus 12 vertical joints from the straight cage.

The icosahedron pattern is a completely different design, consisting of 30 curved edge pieces linking to 12 pentagonal vertex pieces. One of the vertices has a loop designed into the top of it to allow the ornament to be hung. The edge pieces are about 210 mm long and will lie flat, but again the joints will need support. Print one vertex with loop, 11 regular vertices, and 30 edges.

For all versions - the joints are intentionally tight, and should hold fine for indoor use, especially if you're not putting a ball inside. Adding that extra weight and/or putting them outdoors, though, you'll probably want to super glue them together. Similarly, PLA should do for indoors, but I'm using PETG for mine on the porch.

 

 

 

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