Folding Umbrella V2 - Fully 3D Printed

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Introducing the new and improved V2 Mini Folding Umbrella!

Makes a nice little summer themed decor piece or for use as part of an architectural model or diorama.

Feel free to remix this, make an umbrella hat or whatever floats your boat, just please don't sell the model files.

 

The top features panels which fold inwards using a compliant mechanism which is designed to work when printed with PLA. Should work with PETG too. Do not print in TPU as the print-in-place mechanism most likely will not work.

 

Umbrella comes in 3 sizes: 

179mm (A1 Mini)

223mm ("Standard" Non-Bambu print bed size)

250mm (A1, P1S, P2S, X1C, etc)

 

Standard Pole Stand comes in 130, 150, and 170mm lengths, which fit the 3 umbrella sizes while keeping the realistic scale model feel, where the stand is the appropriate length for the umbrella size.

 

Articulating Arm Stand gives more flexibility in positioning the umbrella to provide shade. First fill the base with sand, rocks, metal, etc. so it does not tip over, then place the cap over the base, and lock in place with the base of the arm (10mm peg + threaded ring). Then assemble the arm with the included 3d printed screws and threaded caps. Can be a bit tricky to get positioned - you have to hold the arm in place and then tighten the screw at the pivot point by hand. Then after everything is secure, attach the umbrella to the 6.2mm peg at the tip of the top arm piece.

 

Post-Processing:

-After printing, break in the radial fold lines by gently folding and unfolding each crease in both directions, starting at the outer edges, and working your way in towards the center hexagonal piece.

-There are fold lines in the center of each of the six triangular panels, and at the edges of each panel. Grab each side of a fold and wiggle it back and forth, starting slow, and working inwards towards the center, trying not to torque the support arms to the sides, which might break them.

This new version is less stiff due to the perforations and should be relatively easy to get folded without snapping or tearing, but still make sure the fold lines are all loosened/bent in the proper direction before trying to fold/unfold the entire umbrella. Once you get that loosened, it should be relatively easy to open, and should hold itself open.

It closes most of the way, but still looks kind of half open when it is “closed” - this is partially because the top is rigid and not made of fabric, so the folded-in parts get in the way of it closing fully.