My Favorite 3D Prints of 2020

My Year of the 3D Printer

I have been designing parts for additive manufacturing for several years, but I had never set up and run a printer before this year. 2020 was the year of my 3D printing awakening; I revived my lab’s Maker’s Tool Works MendelMax 3 printer and used it at home to print face shield parts for healthcare workers, I was gifted two 3D printers of my own, and I began selling 3D printed components on the online maker marketplace Tindie. This year I consumed several spools of filament, made prints in PLA, PETG, ABS, Polypropylene, and PVDF, and most importantly learned a lot about how to successfully operate and maintain a FDM 3D printer. So, to celebrate my first year of homegrown 3D printing bliss here are my five favorite prints from this year.

3D Verkstan Face Shield Headband

My jump into FDM 3D printer operation was more of a rocket launch driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. When personal protective equipment became scarce at the beginning of the pandemic, makers immediately took the task of producing emergency supplies using their personal 3D printers and materials. I brought home my lab’s 3D printer so that it could be put to use in that effort as well. I printed a few different style's of face shield headbands, and my favorite was the 3DVerkstan variant. The print is quick and simple and the full assembly is extremely versatile because the shield only requires a clear sheet and a 3-hole punch in addition to the headband. I believe these aspects made this face shield headband superior amongst the many created during the heyday of homemade face shields. Considering how much the pandemic has consumed our 2020, this print rightfully tops my list of favorites for this year.

Cisco Room Kit Mini
Desktop Stand Kit

The UVA hospital needed a means of standing their Cisco Room Kit Mini conference cameras on a tabletop, so I designed these simple legs that support the camera. The design can be 3D printed or cut from flat sheet material and doesn’t require fasteners, so it’s simple, cheap, and effective. After donating several to the university, I decided to list them on Tindie as a low-key foray into selling 3D printed parts. Since September, they reached the 2nd most popular item in the camera & equipment category on Tindie! I learned a lot about setting up a print for efficiency and quality making these parts on my Creality Ender 5 Pro.

Pegboard Caulk Tube Holders

Like many others during the early months of the pandemic, my household underwent many renovations. This left me with a handful of caulk tubes, which I was able to store on the pegboard walls of my basement utility room thanks to this model from ‘dellrio’ on Thingiverse. These made my top 5 list because they are easy to print and oh-so-satisfying to use (I am a bit of an organization freak). I printed a few in 3DXTech MAXG PETG and a couple more in MatterHackers MH Build PETG.

Surfing Hulk
(& FRiends)

Soon after I built my Ender 5 Pro I was looking for something fun to print (you can only print so many Benchy’s, am I right?). A family beach trip including my three nieces and one nephew was on the horizon, so it felt fitting to put my printer to work making some souvenirs. The expanse of Thingiverse did not let me down, and I was able to make a bunch of beach-themed prints for the kids. My favorite was the surfing Hulk because it was my first print with supports and it printed great. In a tough year for everyone, it was nice to play a little, make something goofy, and make the beach trip a little more special for the kids.

Laura’s Pick:
Essential Oil Organizer

Since 3D printing has become a frequent topic in the house, it’s only fair that I present Laura’s favorite print too! We have a wire shelf on the back the door to our basement, so I designed and printed this organizer for her essential oil collection. Now the little bottles are always neatly arranged, easily accessible, and don’t fall over when the door is opened and closed! The STL is available on Thingiverse!

Owning a 3D printer has come in handy for so many applications around the house and in my life. The above prints are just a small handful of the useful, interesting, and beautiful things that I’ve printed this year; I’ve also printed duct adapters for ducts in my house and for research purposes, roses and a heart-shaped box as gifts, and parts to upgrade the 3D printers that I use. I have really enjoyed operating my own 3D printer in 2020, and I expect my printing to grow and improve in the coming year!