Zodiac Sign Pendent From Recycled Material

Aim is to make DIY Zodiac pendent using recycled material and 3d printing technology.

This project gives you a knowledge about recycle cardboard material,3d printing, mold design and post process like painting .

So, let's go and make this.

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard boxes
2. Fevicol adhesive or similar glue
3. Water
4. Mixture grinder & bowl
5. 3D printer
6. 3D modeling software
7. Zodiac sign images (for 3D mold)
8. Sandpaper
9. Acrylic paints
10. Paintbrushes
11. Clear varnish (optional)

• Gather cardboard boxes and cut them into small pieces.
• Shred the cardboard into fine strips using a paper shredder or scissors.
• Place the shredded cardboard in a mixing bowl.

• Add Fevicol adhesive to the shredded cardboard in the mixing bowl.
• use mixture grinder to mix them well and make paste like mixture
• Mix the cardboard and adhesive thoroughly until you achieve a consistent, moldable mixture.
• Add water gradually to the mixture to reach a dough-like consistency.

Press the cardboard mixture firmly to remove excess water.

Also use Tissue paper to soak extra water from mixture.

Our 3D Print mold have 3 Parts

1. Top part with various zodiac sign positive impression.
2. Cavity for holding cardboard paste inside for molding.
3. bottom part to support and provide surface to hold paste.

I use Autodesk Fusion360 for 3d design.

Beginner user also use TINKERCAD for 3d design a mold .

• Incorporate the zodiac sign images into the mold design, creating 12 different impressions for each zodiac sign.
• for that i make a .DXF file. Import in fusion360.
• Use extrude tool to Extrude impression 3mm deep. make base-top of impression 2mm in thickness.
• i Make 6mm deep cavity for mold, which help to ensure all mold material always keep inside .
• For bottom part ,i use 2mm thickness .
• Now our cavity and Bottom part is ready.
• you can create (or use my design attached ) for #d print Zodiac sign top part to make different Zodiac impression.
• I attach 12 different Zodiac sign impression .STL files with cavity and bottom part.
• I use 60mm outer diameter for mold and 2mm wall thickness and 6mm depth .

Step for design in Tinkercad.

• Make single image of Zodiac signs usiing screenshot from internet image.(attached above)
• convert them into SVG file.
• Import SVG file in Tinkercad.
• Change height as per needed.
• use flat round plan to make base of Zodiac sign impression.
• place each impression on different planes.
• make cavity part with cylinder and set height and radius of cylinder.
• use 60 mm radius , 2mm wall thickness and 6mm height.
• make a circular base of 60 mm .
• Export each file as separately as per needed to 3D print.

I use CR-M4 3D printer to print this mold

You can use smaller 3d printer like ender-3 for print this mold.

I use CURA slicer for slide and make G-code for 3d printer.

Use the below parameter for good 3D printing.

• Layer height: 0.2 mm
• Wall: 2
• Top / Bottom : 3
• Infill: 25 %
• Material: PLA White
• Speed: 40 mm / s
• Support: no
• Build Plate Adhesion: Brim

Place the 3D printed mold on a flat surface.

Fill the to-center cavity of the mold with the cardboard mixture, ensuring even distribution.

Press the zodiac sign image into the cardboard mixture, creating a detailed impression.

use some weight to pressing that top part for while.

Allow the cardboard to dry and harden within the mold for approx 24 hrs.(use weight on top )

Gently separate the 3D printed mold from the dried cardboard pendant.

Use sandpaper to smooth the edges and surface of the pendant.

Paint the pendant using acrylic paints to enhance the zodiac sign details.

Allow the paint to dry completely.

Optionally, apply a clear varnish for a glossy finish.

Repeat steps 4-8 for each of the 12 zodiac signs, using the corresponding 3D printed mold.

your Zodiac pendant is created, assemble them with jump rings or small chains.

Display your unique DIY Zodiac Sign Pendant in a way that showcases the craftsmanship and creativity.