Oddly Satisfying – Twist Containers

One of the great strengths of 3D printing is that it makes creating objects with certain geometries much easier than it would be with traditional subtractive machining methods. Things like thin-walled perfect spheres or objects with wild undercuts become trivial to make. A great case in point is these amazing 3D-printed twist vases.

The key concept behind the vases is that the shape of the container itself is the thread that binds the two halves together. [Devin] has built plenty over the years, continually experimenting with the design, making everything from a useful compact trash container to heavily-twisted, more artistic pieces. [Devin] says they’re incredibly satisfying to play with, and we’re inclined to agree – it’s particularly great to watch the higher-tolerance printed vases twist themselves closed under gravity.

Such designs aren’t actually all that new – there’s similar models on Thingiverse stretching all the way back to 2009. The great thing about the Internet as an ecosystem is that not only do many people often reinvent the same idea, they each give it their own unique twist (pun unintended).

Without 3D printing, it would be very difficult to create such vases. The tolerances of 3D printers these days make creating these sort of mating parts possible, though you can actually hear some of the vases making zipping sounds as they close due to the layer roughness. [Devin] takes the time in the video to walk through the process of actually designing a working twist vase, particularly with regards to the geometric parameters required for a successful part.

Files to make the vases are available on MiniFactory, including a trend-riding fidget toy based on the same concept. We’d love to see more projects following this trend, so if you iterate your own designs, be sure to let us know on the tip line. Meanwhile, check out these 3D printed transparent vases.

18 thoughts on “Oddly Satisfying – Twist Containers

    1. are you thinking of the ridged tubes with a threaded lid?
      if so they really arent comparable. if not then i dont think i have ever seen what you are talking about.

    1. I once saw an ad, (for Digital Equipment Corp.?) that said something to the effect; “Now your system administration is as easy as this!” and it showed a hand preparing to screw in a light bulb. But if you looked closer, the light bulb was left hand threaded. Truth in advertising?
      B^)

  1. “The tolerances of 3D printers these days make creating these sort of mating parts possible, though you can actually hear some of the vases making zipping sounds as they close due to the layer roughness.”

    I think one could smooth that out?

Leave a Reply to OstracusCancel reply

Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. (Comment Policy)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.