I designed this rechargeable parrot shower for my two birds. The original idea was simple: many parrots enjoy bathing, but a normal water bowl is easy to spill, and manual misting is not always convenient. I wanted to make a small shower that could sit inside the cage, run from the Rechargeable Power Kit, and be easy to clean after use.The final design is built around four main ideas:a quick-release power module, water tank, and printed filter for easier cleaninga magnetic-drive centrifugal pump, so the motor stays outside the water areause a ready-made transparent plastic sheet, as this will yield much better results than printing a transparent model.modular shower heads, so different water patterns can be swapped laterThe hardest part was the pump. I first tested small centrifugal pump prototypes, but the early versions did not provide enough head height. I also tried a peristaltic pump, but with the kit motor it had too little torque and the water output was small and uneven. After several rounds, I returned to the centrifugal pump idea and improved the pump body, added a better volute shape, enlarged the impeller slightly, and integrated the water channel with the printed body to reduce leakage and pressure loss.a early prototype Noise was another important challenge. Since this is meant for birds, it should not sound too harsh inside the cage. I tested TPU parts and found that using TPU only for the gear ring gave the best result: the noise dropped a lot, while the water output stayed almost unchanged. Printing more drivetrain parts in TPU reduced performance too much, so I kept the softer material only where it helped most.test with different materialsThe current version has passed full assembly and real-use testing. In one endurance test it ran for more than 250 minutes on a full charge before the continuous water flow gradually became dripping. Actual runtime may vary depending on print quality, lubricant, friction, and battery condition. I also added a filter after noticing that a small piece of debris could block one shower hole during testing. This project went through more iteration than I expected: pump efficiency, gear ratio, water sealing, magnetic coupling distance, noise, clogging, and shower hole spacing all needed adjustment. The latest shower head uses fewer, slightly larger holes than an earlier version, because dense water streams could merge together.I hope this design is useful for other bird owners and also interesting for anyone exploring small printed pumps and magnetic-drive mechanisms. Model link: https://makerworld.com/zh/models/2934071-budgie-shower-spa-mini-bird-bath-fountain#profileId-3285052

I was honestly surprised by how much attention the previous post about this rechargeable budgie shower received, and I really appreciate all the feedback. So I decided to write a more detailed technical recap about the path from the initial idea to a usable version. This post is a bit longer, with an estimated reading time of about 5 to 7 minutes. I will mainly cover four topics: why the pump design changed several times, why magnetic coupling and quick-release parts matter, how the ring shower head was optimized for support-free printing, and the final noise reduction, runtime, and real cage testing. At first glance this project looks like a small pet bird accessory, but once I started building it, the real challenges became very engineering-focused: the pump had to be strong enough, the structure had to be easy to clean, the shower head had to print reliably, and the sound could not be too scary for the birds. 1. The pump was the core challengeMy first prototype used a small centrifugal pump with a 22 mm impeller. Early feasibility testingThe result was far from the head height I needed. At 3.7 V, a 400 rpm N20 gear motor could only lift the water by around 1 cm, which was clearly far too slow for this centrifugal pump. A 030 motor performed better, around 6 to 7 cm, but it was still not enough. After that, I tried several directions: improving the centrifugal pump body, increasing the impeller size, using a planetary gear set to increase impeller speed, and testing a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump sounded promising because it can move liquid steadily and depends more on torque than high speed. In practice, however, the kit motor did not have enough torque to squeeze the silicone tube when directly driven. Even adding extra gear reduction to increase torque did not work well enough.This is a very useful tool for designing planetary gears. Click the image to go to that page. Eventually, I returned to the mechanically simpler centrifugal pump and redesigned the pump body. The key changes included the planetary gear set, a better volute shape, a slightly larger impeller, and an integrated printed water path. The integrated water path removed one connection point, reducing the chance of pressure loss and leakage while also making the structure cleaner.volute-shaped water pump housing2. Magnetic coupling and quick-release parts are for maintenanceOne of my favorite parts of the final design is the magnetic coupling. The motor module stays outside the water tank, while the impeller inside the tank is driven through the wall by magnets. This keeps the water and electronics better separated, and it also makes the power module much easier to remove.The power module, water tank, and printed filter are all designed as quick-release parts. The filter became especially important during testing: after about 90 minutes of continuous running, one shower hole stopped flowing. At first I was not sure whether the battery voltage had dropped or the pump performance had weakened. After checking, it turned out to be a small piece of debris blocking the hole. Once removed, the water flow recovered. Magnetic coupling also introduced a small but important detail: the distance between the magnets matters a lot. I found that magnets from different sources can have noticeably different strength. Stronger magnets may need a larger gap to avoid extra friction between the impeller and the base, otherwise the pump efficiency drops. 3. The ring shower head was optimized for support-free printingBesides the pump itself, the shower head also needed several design adjustments specifically for 3D printing. The ring shower head has internal overhangs. If modeled directly, the wall paths near the small holes can become completely unsupported, and the overhang length around the larger ring is uneven, which can cause poor local top-surface quality.So I did not design it only from the visible geometry. Instead, I checked the slicing paths and adjusted the model around them: large unsupported areas were converted into shorter, more controllable bridges, so the toolpath could span them more reliably. This allows the ring shower head to print very well without supports, with much simpler post-processing.This idea is also something I learned from the community. For some suspended-hole structures, changing the surrounding geometry can turn a completely unsupported toolpath into a short bridge that the printer can handle. This ring shower head is a further application of that technique, because the issue is not just an exposed circular hole. The overhangs are inside the water path and shower chamber.This detail may not be very obvious, but it matters a lot for print reproducibility. Because these overhangs are inside the ring shower head, enabling supports cannot really fix the problem, and post-processing would be almost impossible to clean properly. This part had to be designed for support-free printing from the modeling stage, instead of leaving the issue to slicing or cleanup. 4. Noise and runtime decide whether birds can actually use itAfter the pump finally worked reliably, the next question was whether it would be comfortable enough for the birds.In the first full test, the water output was already good, but the noise was still a bit too loud. I tested TPU parts to see whether softer material could absorb some vibration. The best result came from printing only the gear ring in TPU. The noise dropped noticeably, close to or even slightly below the sound of water dripping into the tank, while the water output did not noticeably decrease. I also tried replacing more drivetrain parts with TPU, but that made the water flow much weaker. So the final version only uses TPU where it helps the most, instead of making the entire drivetrain soft. The runtime was better than I expected. On a full charge, the shower ran continuously for more than 250 minutes before the continuous stream gradually turned into dripping. Of course, actual runtime can vary depending on printed-part friction, lubrication, magnet strength, and battery condition. During the first real cage test, both birds were cautious at the beginning. One of them started approaching and interacting with the water after about 20 minutes, while the other needed more time before joining. That reminded me that getting the mechanism to work is only the first step. The real user experience matters too. I tried leaving the water pump off and just hanging the shower outside the cage for a day or two to give them time to get used to it. After that, when I turned the pump back on, they almost immediately came over to play in the water. But there are individual differences among birds, so I can't say for sure if every one will do this LOL.This project started as an entry for the Rechargeable Power Kit Challenge, but it became a broader exercise in small pump design, magnetic coupling, support-free printing, noise reduction, and bird behavior. My biggest takeaway is that there are many small details hidden between "it moves" and "it is actually usable." Model link: https://makerworld.com/zh/models/2934071-budgie-shower-spa-mini-bird-bath-fountain#profileId-3285052

(model link: https://makerworld.com/en/models/2798526-the-double-ring-carousel-motorized#profileId-3112952)The Engineering Behind the Double Ring Motorized Carousel When MakerWorld announced the Rechargeable Power Kit Challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to build: a classic, motorized carousel. The inspiration sparked from a cardboard prototype I built recently, which used three gears to drive two rings in opposite directions while creating a galloping motion for the horses. With that mechanical concept already in my head, I dove straight into CAD the moment my power kit arrived. Nailing the Base & Gear Mechanics To ensure perfect fitment, I imported the official 3D models of the electronics directly into my workspace. This allowed me to map out the tolerances precisely, and the massive base piece actually succeeded on its very first test print!The internal mechanisms, however, required some serious iteration: Tolerance Tweaks: My initial 0.15mm gear gap caused catching when the Z-seams aligned. Opening that gap to 0.2mm resulted in a smoother rotation. Gear Redesign: During early testing, I noticed the gears were binding. My solution was adding a secondary layer to the central gears to prevent direct friction between specific components, which instantly freed up the movement.The Big Problem: Weight vs. The N20 Motor As I moved up to the canopy, I hit a massive engineering roadblock. The upper assembly was simply too heavy (around 264 grams) for the N20 Worm Gear Motor. Since the challenge requires using the provided kit, brute-forcing it with a bigger motor simply wasn't an option.I knew a thrust bearing would absorb the downward load, letting the motor focus entirely on rotational torque. When I couldn't find a Maker's Supply bearing large enough to fit my existing geometry, I decided to engineer my own. By printing a custom track and dropping in ten 6mm Stainless Steel Balls (FA001), I created a “frictionless” base that carried the canopy's weight effortlessly. The Hard Choice: Form vs. Function With the main body spinning beautifully, I faced one final hurdle. The moment I placed the horses onto their wavy tracks, the motor stalled out. It just couldn't overcome the combined friction and the vertical lift required to push the horses up the slope. I tried everything: lubricating the tracks, widening tolerances, and printing at the absolute lowest layer heights. When nothing worked, I had to make a tough decision. Rather than delivering a stuttering, unreliable model, I scrapped the vertical motion and locked the horses in place. 1: Only wavy track2: Wavy track and bearing3 (Final Version): Only bearing Engineering is all about problem-solving and compromise. While I had to let go of one feature, it guaranteed a flawless, continuous spin for the final piece. After countless hours of troubleshooting, seeing this carousel light up and spin smoothly on my desk is incredibly rewarding!

Idea | Prototyping | ImplementationThe Spark: Honoring the Challenge. Being selected for the MakerWorld Limited Kit Challenge was a significant honor. I’ve always enjoyed browsing Maker’s Supply to see what sparks my imagination, but this challenge provided a specific focus: the Rechargeable Power Kit. I enjoy working within a set of rules, but my goal is always to push beyond the original intent of the components. I didn't want rotation just for the sake of movement; I wanted that motion to serve a purpose. The Idea: Bringing the Outdoors In The inspiration came from my home pond. I love the atmosphere—the sounds of moving water, the flowers, and the fish. My goal was to use the rechargeable power kit to recreate those soothing water sounds indoors. After researching various mill designs, I found a concept that felt right and began the transition from digital concept to physical reality. NO AI WAS USED TO MODEL - I DRAW AND PUSH/PULL EVERY LINE INSIDE SKETCHUP Prototyping: The Trial Phase The road to a functional model wasn't immediate. It took three weeks of constant iteration and many prototypes to get the internal mechanics right. This phase focused on the "gadgets and gizmos"—integrating the gears and the motor kit into a cohesive system. I was particularly inspired by the modular nature of these kits, which allows creators to build and expand their own miniature worlds. Implementation: The Final Result The final assembly, represents the successful marriage of mechanical engineering and natural aesthetics. By combining the motor-driven mill with landscaping and live plants, I achieved my goal of creating a functional, rechargeable piece of art. This project is just the beginning; I look forward to using a wider range of Maker's Supply tools to expand this world further.  Check out This model HERE - Thanks everyone! #Rechargeablepowerkit #Kitchallenge

This Bambu Lab rotating nozzle organizer is designed to have everything at hand, tidy and visible at a glance. Its compact cylindrical format makes the most of the space, allowing you to store several nozzles without taking up practically space on the work table.Thanks to its rotary system, you can quickly access any nozzle with a simple turn, without having to be searching or disassembling anything. Each accommodation keeps the nozzle well held, protected and ready to use, avoiding bumps or losses.It is compatible with all Bambu Lab nozzles, making it a universal solution within this ecosystem. In addition, its robust and stable design ensures that everything stays in place even in demanding work environments.In summary, it is a piece designed for makers who value order, speed and care of their tools, with a functional but also attractive design on the desk. Download here!

When MakerWorld selected us, along with several other talented creators, during the last #KitChallenge for the #RechargeablePowerKit, we knew we wanted to use the opportunity to push ourselves into something we normally would have avoided. https://makerworld.com/en/models/2698922-giant-s-grove-marble-run#profileId-2991697  Marble runs have always been one of our favorite things to design, but we didn’t want to create another standard marble lift with a giant printed screw pushing marbles to the top. We became obsessed with the idea of using a marble pump system instead, even though they’re notoriously difficult to get working consistently.  One thing we’d encourage other makers to do is participate in those challenge discussions and drop ideas on the posts when they come up. Opportunities like this are really fun because they can push makers into experimenting with concepts they may never have tried otherwise.Inspiration from NatureOur kids have been completely into Minecraft lately. We kept thinking about blocky landscapes and terrain generation, but we didn’t want this to feel like just another square world. That led us toward thinking about hex geometry.  We became fascinated by the natural hex columns found in Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. The shapes almost feel artificial when you first see them, but they’re completely natural formations created by cooling volcanic basalt. When designing the rock formations, we initially tried manually varying the column heights, but it still felt too artificial. Eventually we wrote a small script to help randomize the rock heights so the landscape felt more organic.Credit: Pete Flynn - Google MapsOnce that clicked, we started carrying the hex language through the entire design. The stone base, the tree trunk, the canopy, and even the track structure all follow variations of that same geometric pattern language so the whole model feels connected together.  We wanted it to feel like a strange magical tree growing directly out of a hexagonal rock formation.The Marble Pump ChallengeThe hardest part by far was the lift mechanism.  We originally found inspiration while researching unusual marble lift systems and came across some incredible wooden marble pump builds on YouTube. One of them especially stuck with us because of how elegantly it moved marbles upward without relying on a large auger system.Credit VEProject1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCWnoSamN7gThat started a long process of experimentation. There were a lot of failed iterations trying to figure out the geometry, the timing, the angles, and how to reliably move marbles upward without jams. Tiny angle changes completely changed the reliability of the system.Many test to get smooth motion and marble movement. Eventually it started to click. Once the geometry finally came together, the system became surprisingly reliable. Even better, the Rechargeable Power Kit’s N20 motor had more than enough power to continuously lift the marbles through the system. Even though the base on this one is large, one of the things we’re most excited about now is how compact this style of lift could be compared to large printed screw elevators. We can already imagine future marble runs using this same concept in completely different ways.Designing for Future ExpansionAnother idea behind Giant’s Grove was designing it more like a platform than a single marble run. The acrylic tube section was intentionally designed so the internal flow paths could eventually become interchangeable. We plan to release the STEP file soon for the central tree trunk for anyone that wants to create their own designs for the marble path. Our hope is to create alternate internal modules in the future so makers could swap out entirely different marble flow systems while keeping the same outer structure.  That idea of modularity keeps making its way into our projects lately, and we think there’s a lot more room to explore there. Happy printing!

To help great ideas get discovered and built—and to unlock more creative possibilities with Maker’s Supply kits—we are launching a long-term, recurring community program.The “Limited Kit Challenge” SeriesThe Limited Kit Challenge is an official prompt-based, community co-creation series.How it works:Each round focuses on a specific Maker’s Supply kit or selected partsThe community is invited to submit ideas within a limited timeOutstanding ideas are selected, and kits and filaments are provided for free to support creationPublished projects may receive promotion opportunities and BOM commission incentivesFrequency: Once per month (tentative) Whether you’re an experienced creator or a user with a great idea, everyone is welcome to participate.🧩 Round 1 Challenge AnnouncementTheme: Rechargeable Power Kit ChallengeIf you could only use one Rechargeable Power Kit, what would you design? We are officially kicking off Round 1 of the Limited Kit Challenge. Featured kit: Maker’s Supply | Rechargeable Power Kit (ZC003)Note: In addition to this kit, other Maker’s Supply accessories can also be added. 🧠Inspiration examples: Motor Box - Mini Train Dioramas @BamBam Design North Pole landscape automaton teddy bear @Mimi home decoration Space City, TuZhu Space Station @Dream Maker 造梦人 Mechanical Punch Press Model｜Motor-Driven + Rechargeable, Replicating Authentic Mechanical Dynamics! @包子是只猫 ✅Who Can Participate?All MakerWorld model creatorsDesign enthusiasts and idea contributors (you do not need to be a creator to submit an idea)How to Join (Phase 1: Idea Submission)Where: Comment under this postPlease share:What you want to create (use case or scenario)The general form or function of the model (images are recommended)Why a rechargeable power kit is essential to your ideaBoth users and creators are encouraged to participate.Creators can also reply to and claim ideas they are interested in creating.Timeline: Within 30 days of this post, we will continuously review submissions and select promising ideas to support.🏆 Official Selection & Kit SupportIdea SelectionAt least 10 high-quality ideas will be selectedCriteria include:OriginalityEffective use of the kitFeasibilityCommunity engagementResults will be announced in the comments, and selected creators and/or idea contributors will be mentioned.Kit Delivery & Creator SupportSelected creators will be contacted via private messageA brief creation plan (design approach and estimated timeline) will be requiredAll required kits, parts, and filaments will be provided free of chargeOfficial support will be available throughout the creation process🛠Creation & Publishing RequirementsSelected creators must:Complete a project based on the Rechargeable Power KitPublish the model on MakerWorld with:The correct BOM attachedShare at least a community post after publishing that includes:The hashtag #KitChallenge and #RechargeablePowerKitSuch as Inspiration, design process, assembly steps, final results, and any challenges encounteredFailure to meet delivery or posting requirements may affect eligibility for future challenges.Promotion & Earnings SupportSuccessfully published projects may receive:Official Promotion ResourcesInclusion in an official collectionOngoing BOM commission earnings Join NowIf you were to build a 3D printing project using the Rechargeable Power Kit, what would you create?Share your idea in the comments—your concept could be the next one we fund, feature, and bring to life.