3D Print Your Own Christmas Pyramid
The Christmas pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) is a beautiful symbol of Christmas in Germany, as well as great example of physics at work. Light the candles and watch their heat make the pyramid spin. In this step-by-step tutorial you will learn how to design the pieces necessary to make a beautiful working Christmas pyramid. You can choose which figures you want to include in the center of the pyramid or even design your own.
The tutorial breaks the pyramid into 6 different pieces so that you can complete one piece at a time.
The Christmas pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) is a beautiful symbol of Christmas in Germany, as well as great example of physics at work. Light the candles and watch their heat make the pyramid spin. In this step-by-step tutorial you will learn how to design the pieces necessary to make a beautiful working Christmas pyramid. You can choose which figures you want to include in the center of the pyramid or even design your own.
The tutorial breaks the pyramid into 6 different pieces so that you can complete one piece at a time.
The Christmas pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) is a beautiful symbol of Christmas in Germany, as well as great example of physics at work. Light the candles and watch their heat make the pyramid spin. In this step-by-step tutorial you will learn how to design the pieces necessary to make a beautiful working Christmas pyramid. You can choose which figures you want to include in the center of the pyramid or even design your own.
The tutorial breaks the pyramid into 6 different pieces so that you can complete one piece at a time.
Get this tutorial and more in the Make It Move Mega Bundle!
Christmas Pyramid
Level: 1+
Each piece is written so that even designers with little to no experience could design them, but there are 6 of these pieces.
Supplies Needed:
a double-pointed knitting needle - Size 8 (5 mm diameter, 17.7 mm long), such as these here (also available at Wal-Mart or craft stores).
an acorn nut - Size 5/16-18, such as these (also available at home improvement stores)
fan blades (Since 3D printed blades will melt from the heat of the candles, you can cut the blades from balsa wood, basswood or cardboard. A .pdf pattern is included in the download, as well as files for a laser cutter or a Cricut Maker.)
Formats: The downloadable .zip file will have the tutorial in the following formats:
Video: Follow along with the step-by-step video to create your own project. Play and pause as often as you need to. You can view the video on a computer, a tablet or your phone.
On Screen Tutorial: Scroll through the steps on your computer, tablet or phone. This .pdf file contains a picture and description for every step.
Printed Booklet: This .pdf file is designed to be printed double-sided on the short edge. Fold the stack of papers in half and staple along the fold to create a booklet that you can hold in your hand as you complete the steps on screen.
Print Time*:
Arch - 45 minutes
Base - 1:09
Candle Holders - 1:23
Centerpiece Base - 30 minutes
Top - 32 minutes
Figures - 5-30 minutes
*Print Times vary significantly based on the printer and settings used. All print times are calculated for a Prusa MK3S printer using the settings described in the tutorial.
