I’ve been making various polyhedra since I bought a 3D printer shortly after getting my Glowforge in 2018 and seeing a Dymaxion Globe on Make with the connectors on Thingiverse. I knew I had to make my own.
Thus begun a journey down a very long rabbit hole to learn Fusion 360 and creating my own polyhedral shapes. I am not sure how many I’ve made, but it’s more than a few. I get most of the enjoyment from learning the process and seeing if I could figure it out. The complexity of the shapes has evolved, and I proudly display many of them in my house. Someone visiting may even think that I have a problem…
I don’t get nearly the same enjoyment creating these anymore, and have increasing difficulty assembling these due to progression of my MS. Although I have family and friends willing to help me, I can see their eyes roll when they see a bunch of new parts show up on the kitchen island. I’m going to retire from polyhedrals and see if I can find other projects I’ve been neglecting to work on. That means focusing on some of my other maker machines. I’ve visited this forum pretty much every day for 6.5 years, and have posted over 250 projects. I also worked on the Glowforge Catalog Administrative team for over 3 years before the abrupt layoffs earlier this year. This post is not intended to go into my personal opinions of Glowforge, but maybe time to take a break. I do still use my Glowforge, but considering its’ track record, I don’t have a ton of confidence in the long-term functionality. I may have the record, as my laser has been replaced 7 times, and number 8 is chugging along nicely. Don’t get me wrong, I am super grateful that I was able to get my non-functioning machines replaced. So this is my last polyhedral for the foreseeable future. I’ll continue to browse and like on the forum and try and stay in the cool kids club.
Strombic Hexecontahedron
This new one is a Strombic Hexecontahedron or Deltoidal Hexacontahedron which has 60 faces, and I 3D printed face frames using a Bambu X1 Carbon which were designed on Fusion 360. Inset faces were lasercut on the using 1/8" Red Haze Cast Acrylic Sheet from Houston Acrylic.
I would be stunned at what you have accomplished, but so much more doing so fighting MS. After so many jaw dropping geometry pieces there are not many new places to go in that direction and there is a universe of other directions. That curly concept alone is a direction that does not need the 3d shape to make it great. It would be stunning on a guitar.
They’ve been wonderful but if they’re not fun anymore, that seems a lot like work. Stepping back to find your new muse sounds like a great next step - even if it’s just sitting on the deck watching sunsets and eating ice cream
@pubultrastar your work and contributions to this forum has been a source of awe and inspiration for many of us. You have done plenty of exploring polyhedrals and combining disciplines, and I am sure that others will continue exploring along this path you have trailblazed.
Every once in a while we all need to make a pause, re-evaluate our options and maybe follow in a different direction. It is part of life, especially when age and health slow us down.
We look forward to the new projects you decide to pursue and share with us, whether they are Glowforge related or not.
I echo what those above have said, they’ve been great, I just wish you’d not say “final” so that if inspiration swings back to these for something you can do it and not have to explain.
I absolutely love the globe. That is amazing.
My has been an amazing creative tool, and I can’t thank you and everyone enough for being a constant source of inspiration and help along the way. I hope you continue to share all of your other amazing creations, even if they aren’t lasered, or point me in the direction to follow your creations outside of here!
Lovely work! As one who has learned to appreciate transitions I look forward to what the next season looks like should be get the opportunity to come along.
I am sure you will continue to make amazing things. Your work has inspired a lot of people. I know I have always looked for any new @pubultrastar posts with anticipation. I can’t wait to see what you make next.
Like the others, I have always been amazed by your creations. And even if you don’t do much on the GF, you can still share what you create in the Everything Else category. At any rate, we look forward to seeing what you do. My favorite of your designs is the globe one. That is absolutely awesome! Just seeing it in another shape than round or flat is inspiring.
Gorgeous as always! As someone who had to redefine my creativity due to health issues, I know how that feels - find your new groove and soar! You will be able to conquer this!!!
using 1/8" Red Haze Cast Acrylic Sheet from Houston Acrylic.
