Stupid but hear me out - 3D printed soap dish.

[JollyJamma]

Hi all

So I have had this idea in the back of my mind for a while now and it’s really stupid but I can’t see why it would work.

1) Take a Pears soap bar.
2) 3D scan it into CAD or whatever.
3) Invert the scan so you have a shape that invertly matches the bar of soap.
4) fill the shape with filler to create a container that’s not too big but thick enough for strength
5) ensure proper drainage holes
6) print

Is this possible? I don’t know 3D printing but from what I can tell, it is possible, it’s just excessive.

 

[montymint]

No reason why not. Soap / sponge trays have existed in the 3d printing space for a while now.

The only issue you get is because of layer lines + water. Bacteria grows in them (the gaps).

If you own a printer it's no biggy, just re-print once it gets manky and it'll cost just a few pence, or if you're using a bambu, print it with purge filament (it'll look crazy with each colour change making it up, but it's a useful use of what would be just waste).

 

[hornetstinger]

Yes but you'd want an infinite number of smaller versions as the soap bar gets smaller you can then fit the slightly smaller soap dish holder

 

[JollyJamma]

No reason why not. Soap / sponge trays have existed in the 3d printing space for a while now.

The only issue you get is because of layer lines + water. Bacteria grows in them (the gaps).

If you own a printer it's no biggy, just re-print once it gets manky and it'll cost just a few pence, or if you're using a bambu, print it with purge filament (it'll look crazy with each colour change making it up, but it's a useful use of what would be just waste).

Aaaah ok, the hygiene aspect is a great point that I’d never considered.

Is there any way to print it with special filament that enhances hygiene or is it all up to the layers and the small gaps in the material?

I’m guessing not unless you go for a 3D printing process specifically designed for medical use.

 

[JollyJamma]

Yes but you'd want an infinite number of smaller versions as the soap bar gets smaller you can then fit the slightly smaller soap dish holder

Haha, I love it. That’s a really good idea.

 

[montymint]

Aaaah ok, the hygiene aspect is a great point that I’d never considered.

Is there any way to print it with special filament that enhances hygiene or is it all up to the layers and the small gaps in the material?

I’m guessing not unless you go for a 3D printing process specifically designed for medical use.

tbh you can get around it somewhat just using a varnish or you could coat it in UV resin and cure it - each would fill the layer lines somewhat and help prevent bacteria ingress. But you couldn't say they would be 100% food safe.

It's why 3d printed cookie cutters should only be used once then disposed of imo.

 

[JollyJamma]

I appreciate the insights as I’m genuinely ignorant of the 3D printing universe.

 

[hornetstinger]

I appreciate the insights as I’m genuinely ignorant of the 3D printing universe.

I've thought about getting 3d printer too, print things like HDMI/USB covers etc, fan adapters I could do with a 8cm to 12cm slimline adapters. Thought about elegeoo 4 plus (wifi)

 

[JollyJamma]

I've thought about getting 3d printer too, print things like HDMI/USB covers etc, fan adapters I could do with a 8cm to 12cm slimline adapters. Thought about elegeoo 4 plus (wifi)

Yeah the ability to tinker would be tempting but I know I'll use it for 6 months and then run out of things to create and it'll just not be used and not be worth anything on the used market.

If I played WarHammer or something, it would be a great purchase. That game is expensive.

 

[hornetstinger]

Yeah the ability to tinker would be tempting but I know I'll use it for 6 months and then run out of things to create and it'll just not be used and not be worth anything on the used market.

If I played WarHammer or something, it would be a great purchase. That game is expensive.

There's resin and FDM printers, so need to compare the differences.
With resin you'll need to do it in shed with ventilation- I wouldn't want those vapours in the house.

With FDM it's safer but concern with microscopic plastic particles. Or if you're printing ABS you'll want ventilation and filtration

Elegoo Pro is cheap enough not burn hole in your wallet, or there's the bambu mini - if you just want small 3D prints

 

[DBT85]

With FDM you can't quite print anything you can think of, but there's usually a way. Mostly you just have to consider how the printers work in order to make designs that print ok, just like a wood turner will have to think about how to make a chair leg in a way that a lathe can work with for example.

Here's a thing I made for our sink becase I was sick of the sponge on a stick getting left in the bowl. Drawed it and prunted it my own self.

 

[VeNT]

you could, but I'd say maybe better to print a mould to fill with Jesmonite? or concrete?

 

[JollyJamma]

With FDM you can't quite print anything you can think of, but there's usually a way. Mostly you just have to consider how the printers work in order to make designs that print ok, just like a wood turner will have to think about how to make a chair leg in a way that a lathe can work with for example.

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That’s very clever!!