StellaStar

This is a follow-on to my Thingiverse "Firework Segmented Centre" https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5266881.

I have called this one the StellaStar. The Sphere size is 200mm and each hole is threaded 20mm.

It requires 10 of the segments and two endcaps. The segmnets are held in endcap with M4 screws. using a 15mm length then you should be able to screw them in without need of nuts on the other side.

To align each segment there are 4mm holes on their edges. A 4mmx15mm rod (threaded rod is ok) should be fitted that will align the segments together and provided additional rigidity to the sphere. If you need to you can also glue the sphere together... I am told "Gorilla" glue works well.

The full story of this build can be found under the excellent post from bubbaque and his build of the Firework Star at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5200407.

This thingi is another variation on the theme and uses a segment ball design which can be used with bubbaque's adapters in a similar manner to the way he uses another of my designs, the "spikey sphere" at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5090324.

When bullet pixels (eg WS2812) or other Christmas lights are attached to the ball or spokes coming from this centre it makes an excellent holiday display feature. There are two ways to use this.

a. Using threaded hole version of this centre and the adapters given by bubbaque, you can fit a series of "spokes" to this centre and attach programmable leds (WS2812 pixels or neo pixels) to them . Animating the pixels on the build using software such as xLights allows you to create realistic looking firework effects that can dazzle audiences. See the you tube video of bubbaques thingiverse.

b. Using the plain hole version of this centre OR the threaded adapter you can use each hole for a single pixel, fed from the inside of the sphere,. This gives a "sphere of pixels" that you can animate in a similar manner.

PLEASE NOTE - THIS DESIGN USES 20MM THREADED ADAPTERS. CURRENT PUBLISHED ONES ARE 18MM. THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BE UPDATED.

The thread is M20x2.5mm and I have used 5 holes per segment and 10 segments for the sphere. Each segment is the same and if you can mix and match with the endcap (another M20 fixing, 10mm threaded hole for fixing hook for hanging, or no-hole). So this could make up 52 holes in total.

Printing threaded holes can be difficult to get right, and depends on how well your printer is set up. I always recommend that you run a tap through each hole, to clear the threads.

I have included a threaded adapter to allow the use of single pixel with the threaded sphere version. If you're using spokes then see bubbaque's posts for the adapters and assembly details.

Print Settings
Printer brand:
Creality

Printer:
Ender 3 Pro

Rafts:
No

Supports:
No

Resolution:
0.8mm nozzle, 0.4mm layers

Infill:
20%

Filament brand:
any

Filament color:
any

Filament material:
PLA

Notes:
Print on the edge f the segment. I found no problem with adhesion and no supports required. I print with a 0.8mm nozzle for speed, but you can experiment with any settings.

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