Introducing the fully 3D printed folding patio umbrella model!

Makes a nice little summer themed decor piece or for use as part of an architectural model or diorama. I am also planning to make a small beach caddy with a mount for one of these, so it can give your drinks or phone a little shade on the beach and conveniently fold up when not in use. Feel free to remix this, make an umbrella hat or whatever floats your boat, just please don't sell the model files.

The model is comprised of a 179mm (~7") diameter print-in-place folding umbrella top, plus a 122mm stand pole and a 47.25x10.25mm round base.

The top features panels which fold inwards using a compliant mechanism which is designed to work when printed with PLA. I have not tested PETG yet, but assume it would work even better due to its higher flexibility.

Printing:

-Designed to fit on A1 Mini print bed without shrinking print-in-place mechanism. The model in the photo is printed at 120% which gives you a 215mm diameter. For A1, P1S, X1C etc. you can go to 140% scale which would be 250mm diameter.

-*Important: To ensure the folding mechanism works properly, use a specific layer height when printing the top - at the model's default size (100%) this should be 0.10mm with an initial layer height of 0.15mm, so you get two layers at the hinge. The layer height should be scaled in proportion to the size (i.e. at 120% scale, use 0.12mm layer height and 0.18mm initial layer height) - this ensures that the thin fold lines of the top are the correct thickness to be able to fold repeatedly without snapping.*

-Make sure to use supports when printing the stand pole - and print the pole horizontally (its less likely to snap)

Post-Processing:

-After printing, break in the radial fold lines by gently folding and unfolding each crease in both directions, starting at the outer edges, and working your way in towards the center hexagonal piece.

There are fold lines in the center of each of the six triangular panels, and at the edges of each panel. Grab each side of a fold and wiggle it back and forth, starting slow, and working inwards towards the center, trying not to torque the support arms to the sides, which might break them.

It will be very stiff at first, and tricky to get the center portions without snapping the arms, but once you get all of the fold lines loosened you can begin breaking in the hinges at the top and trying to fold/unfold the entire umbrella. Once you get that loosened, it should be relatively easy to open, and should hold itself open.

It closes most of the way, but still looks kind of half open when it is “closed” - this is partially because the top is rigid and not made of fabric, so the folded-in parts get in the way of it closing fully.

If you manage to get it broken in without tearing anything too badly it should last well over 100 cycles of folding/unfolding. It will still work fine with a few small tears just may not last as long.