Floating Bowls - Tensegrity - 3D Printed

With "Floating Bowls" I have designed two more models on the subject "Tensegrity". There are 2 different bowls (circle/octagon) and 2 different middle parts (arc/rhombus). You can arrange it as you like!

Dimensions: bowls Ø135mm, base Ø 80mm, height 130-145mm

Files to print:

• Floating Bowl_circle.stl
• Floating Bowl_octagon.stl
• Floating Bowl_mid-arco.stl
• Floating Bowl_mid-rhombo.stl
• Floating Bowl_socket.stl

Print instructions:

• Printer brand: Prusa
• Printer: I3 MK3S
• Supports: No
• Resolution: 0,18
• Infill: 20%
• Filament brand: Prusa; ICE
• Filament color: Silver; Romantic Red, Young Yellow

After you have printed the parts ...
Remark: As all parts are designed to fit very precisely, it may happen that you have to rework one or the other part a bit with sandpaper and/or cutter due to different dimensional accuracy of the printers and the different behavior of the filaments.

For the assembly you need:

• Nylon string Ø 0.35mm
• Superglue
• Stop angle
• Cutter knife
• Sandpaper
• Patience -;)

Start to insert one of your chosen middle part ("Floating Bowl_mid-arco.stl" or "Floating Bowl_mid-rhombo.stl") into the socket ... into the hole provided. The arrows at the bottom are there to align the middle parts correctly. You should place them as shown in the 4th picture! To ensure a good fit, the fitting accuracy is very tight. It may be necessary to correct the fit with a cutter knife or sandpaper. Then apply superglue. For a correct alignment you should use a stop angle!

Now insert the other middle part into the bowl ... into the hole provided. The arrow at the bottom is there to align the middle parts correctly. You should place them as shown in the 4th picture! To ensure a good fit, the fitting accuracy is very tight. It may be necessary to correct the fit with a cutter knife or sandpaper. Then apply superglue. For a correct alignment you should use a stop angle!

As tensioning thread take preferably a nylon string Ø 0.35mm … thread or dental floss will also do the job!

Then insert a thread - with a multiple knot at one end - into the holes the middle parts. The distance there in the string area should be about 20 - max. 25mm. Make a larger knot at the other end. When the middle parts are glued tightly, you can start with the next step ...

Now you need 3 threads of about 25-30cm. At the bottom of the bowl you see 3 little holes. Take one string and make a multiple knot at one end and then pull the thread through one hole of the bowl.

Do the same with the other two holes.

The next step will be the essential one ... create the tension structure!

Place the bowl with the bottom side facing up. Then feed the thread through a hole in the socket. Pay attention to the alignment of the middle parts (see picture 4). At first just clamp the thread. If the notch is not clean, try to open it with a cutter knife.

Do the same with the other two threads.

Now you can start with the adjustment. Do not tighten the threads too much, otherwise the middle parts could deform. So when the threads are slightly tightened, socket and bowl are aligned horizontally, then you can secure the threads. Hurray! That's it! … the bowl is floating!

Some more color and material combinations in 3D model.