Shade & Base Lantern

thingiverse

This small lantern takes shape by using the shade as a mold for its base. The mold is 3D printed first, then the base is cast inside it using fine concrete. Once dry, the design of the mold allows the base to be popped out and separated from the shade. The properties of the plastic give a great quality of light that showcases the layers from the 3D printing process. A heavy concrete acts as a beautiful and tactile base to the lantern, which can be used without the shade if desired. The lantern comes from a process I developed during my architecture degree at Cardiff University's Welsh School of Architecture. The design concept was to create a new kind of relationship with physical objects. By creating a printable file that contained the information needed to become a lantern through a familiar making process, anyone could use the file and cast their own lantern relatively easily. Note: Avoid using a real flame inside the lantern as the plastic will melt! For LED lights that fit, you can buy them here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12x-Waterproof-Submersible-LED-Tea-Lights-Electronic-Candle-Battery-Wedding-Vase-/171891979575 If you'd like to purchase a finished lantern, you can get them from my Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ForgeFive Print Settings: Printer Brand: Ultimaker Printer: Ultimaker 2 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 0% Notes: I use 1.6mm wall thickness and 1.2mm top/bottom thickness to strengthen the piece that needs to break off. Post-Printing: Once the piece is printed, I coat the inside with petroleum jelly (good old vaseline) and then carefully pour a fine concrete mix inside. A plaster mix can also be used. When the mix is dry, I turn the piece over and use pliers to twist the release, sometimes this is stiff so I might do the next step before twisting. I then hold the pliers or another blunt instrument against the twist release and hammer the pliers downwards to pop the concrete out of the mold. Be careful to only hit the twist release and not the outside piece of plastic, which will act as the shade. A bit of sanding and cleaning up, and the lantern is ready to go.