Filamentous Ring

prusaprinters

<p>An extremely quick print ring with minimal filament required, though a bit of post-processing</p><p>Rather than trying to print the rounded components why not use some filament wrap around your finger, which also makes it fully customizable to the user.</p><h4>Materials</h4><ul><li>Printed filament ring base - either the thin or the regular one.</li><li>(optional) printed alignment aid - it helps to keep the filaments aligned and helps in sizing, but otherwise is not required.</li><li>You will need somewhere between 7 and 15 cm of another filament for the actual ring part - <i>PLA works quite well because you can soften it in water, Flex would probably work really well for the shaping, but would be very difficult to thread in the holes.</i></li><li>Water in a cup that is boiling or at least hotter than 60 C, having it boiling makes it quicker and easier, but can get burns, so be careful.</li><li>Wire cutter or scissors</li><li>(optional) Pliers - not required, but make it easier to thread the filament in the holes.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Instructions for Assembly</h4><ul><li>Print in PETG or another higher Tg (i.e. temperature resistant) material allows you to soften the filament for the ring by submerging it in water without distorting your ring face.</li><li>Thread your filament half way in the middle hole and through two of the holes of the alignment aid (one from either side). You can use hot water to help make it softer to avoid breaking the filament.</li><li>Use this initial shape to evaluate size. From my trials, make it smaller than what seems to be the final dimensions, as the filament will slip a bit and relax in the final steps.</li></ul><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/136370/rich_content/e09038b4-7735-4d36-9862-8584e7026b64/adjust_size.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22984a772f-11ef-4d51-be5d-8d71877bcc8a%22%2C%22w%22%3A2580%2C%22h%22%3A2128%7D"></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Cut off the excess, leaving 5-10 mm of filament to thread in the holes. Cutting at an angle will make that easier.</li></ul><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/136370/rich_content/80701d27-6f9c-437b-9a31-c9c07301e039/cut_off_excess.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%2230797ddd-d77c-40d1-92a4-baed6281c6a6%22%2C%22w%22%3A2520%2C%22h%22%3A2272%7D"></figure><ul><li>Using hot water to assist in getting the rounded shape, put the filament ends into the holes.</li><li>Once the filaments are securely in place, and making sure the water is very hot - close to boiling - and using your pliers - hold the middle part and submerge the entire ring in the hot water. This will allow the filament to relax, and give you a more rounded and even shape.</li></ul><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/136370/rich_content/aee0997d-4133-46aa-a383-31807b6518e7/soften_filament_in_water.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22c17326a2-50c5-42d0-8981-4586d55de1e7%22%2C%22w%22%3A3016%2C%22h%22%3A3096%7D"></figure><p>You can repeat the process if necessary to get the right size, otherwise, that is it, you now have your very own quick filament ring!</p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://media.prusaprinters.org/media/prints/136370/rich_content/ec58d2ac-cba9-49d5-8e2d-81a34c3f703a/final-sizing.jpg#%7B%22uuid%22%3A%22a1f2fe9a-6998-4b0d-ae08-1e2344a0a961%22%2C%22w%22%3A2784%2C%22h%22%3A3296%7D"></figure><p>The design can be customized in TinkerCAD with your own initials or top design!</p><p><a href="https://www.tinkercad.com/things/a7AqprET369"><strong>https://www.tinkercad.com/things/a7AqprET369</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>