My 5 Favorite 3D Prints of 2021

Printing All Year Long

In 2021, I expanded my 3D printing skills with many more prints on my own machines, helping the UVA Batten Institute to operate their 3D printers, and adding a new type of printer to my collection. My prints ranged from custom, functional designs for use in my research and home, to decorative and useful prints for sale on my new Etsy shop, and even prints for donation to support STEM education for underrepresented youths. I had a great year of 3D printing, so I wanted to make it a tradition to share my favorite prints of the year!

#5 My First mSLA Print

MSLA is short for masked stereolithography, which is an additive manufacturing method wherein a layer of liquid polymer is solidified by exposure to UV light. Stereolithography is one of the oldest methods of additive manufacturing, but it took until 2021 for it to hit the consumer-grade mainstream thanks to the speed and ease of MSLA. Satori, a maker of commercial-grade SLA machines, explains the difference between traditional SLA and MSLA well on their website. My lovely wife gifted me an Elegoo Mars 2 MSLA printer for Christmas, and I am blown away by the resolution this printer can produce (left). The twisted spiral rook chess piece has become a standard test print for MSLA printers, and I can’t stress enough just how small this little piece is. I am very excited to use this printer to creating super fine detailed components in 2022 and beyond!

#4 Onyx Benchy

Benchy the Boat is a standard print beyond cliché, but this little test print represents a lot more to me than simply the validation of a printer. This Benchy was created on the UVA Batten Institute’s Markforged Onyx One, and was the first object I printed in my partnership with the program. I have been working with their staff to set up and run their fledgling makerspace in support of their entrepreneurship and innovation program students, and it was a special opportunity to get to run such a high-end printer. This Benchy is made out of carbon fiber-filled nylon 6, so it’s probably the toughest Benchy that I’ll ever make!

#3 Scott Hepler’s Lotus Flower

As much as I like designing and making functional things, I wanted to engage with my more creative side this year. I thrive when I have a goal, so starting an Etsy shop was a perfect way to encourage myself to explore more artistic uses for my printers. Kenny Brown Creations has been a fun endeavor; I’ve enjoyed exploring new materials and thinking about my 3D printing in a different way. One of the most popular items on my shop has been this decorative lotus flower designed by Scott Hepler (available on Thingiverse), and it’s also been one of the most meaningful to my customers and me. One customer requested a white version to give to a friend who had a family tragedy, and I was so honored that something I had made could be used to deliver peace to a dear friend. It’s great to know that something I do can make someone’s life a little better, and I’m looking forward to creating more beautiful objects like these in 2022.

#2 ComoTomo Baby Bottle Organizer

This print is one of my favorites more for what it symbolizes than for what it is or does. This year, my wife and I welcomed our first child into the world, and since then I’ve designed and printed a handful of things to make our newborn-parenting lives easier. None are more symbolic of this change in our lives than this baby bottle organizer. These Comotomo bottles wobble and roll around in a drawer, but thanks to this handy little organizer, printed using GreenGate3D recycled PETG, they’re kept together neat and tidy. I’ve also sold a few of these from my Etsy store, so I’m also glad that other parents are finding this design useful as well!

#1 “EKGAR” the STEAM Connection Robot

Early in the year I came across a tweet from Alien3D (@AlienSlacker) offering to provide filament to anyone who would use it to make kits for The STEAM Connection, a Michigan-based nonprofit that develops and distributes robot kits to provide high-quality STEM learning opportunities to underserved communities. Participating in the FIRST Lego Robotics club at my Michigan elementary school was formative for me, so I knew I had to get involved to pay it forward to young students in my birth state. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to support this group. What could be better than using your skills and equipment for good!?