Christmas Tree (vase mode) with decorative inlay 3D Printer File Image 1
Christmas Tree (vase mode) with decorative inlay 3D Printer File Thumbnail 1

Christmas Tree (vase mode) with decorative inlay

Wim V avatarWim V

December 5, 2023

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Description

Print the tree and tree peak in vase mode with PLA or PETG clear or good translucent filament.

Print the inlay in clear or translucent PETG and assign colors you like to the ribbon parts and stars. Bend the conical shape and insert it in the tree. Put the engraved side inwards. PETG is advised for flexibility as PLA clear tends to break when bending small radii (tip of the cone shape)

All printed with 0.4 nozzle and 0.2 layer height. For the star in vase mode I used a brim.

The model can be scaled down to 50%. Under 75% the led for the peak will not fit trough anymore and can only lid the star from below. Scaling the inlay is only in XY direction, do not scale in height!

 

To illuminate you can use a standard LED string with ±10-50 LEDs with battery power or power adapter. Place 1 LED in the tree peak. With the battery power supply you can place the battery holder inside the tree.

 

 

 

I have added a step-file of the inlay with seperate ribbon and stars so you can remix it to make your own design. 

For lithopane like inlays keep in mind that the inlay is bend into a cone and therefore images should be placed going around and from the center of the inlay!  

 

 

With the inlay printed in PETG I used PLA for the colored parts (ribbon and stars). It is possible to do so, but adhesion could be a problem especially when printing smaller scale models. Then the PLA can become loose from the PETG when bending. If possible, print the entire inlay in PETG.

If the two sides of the inlay do not fully touch each other when placing (creating a gap), you can simply slide them against each other and attach them both to the tree with a small drop of super glue.