Platonic Solid Joints

I wanted to create wireframe versions of the Platonic solids to learn what happens when capturing soap bubbles between them. I used an open‐source Python library to generate the shapes, as demonstrated in the accompanying script. Each joint features a small cylinder that can be used to secure it to the print bed.

I used steel rods that were 5 cm long and 3 mm in diameter (for the dodecahedron, I used rods measuring 2.5 cm).

I printed with PLA. PETG might be stronger, but it must be very dry to prevent excessive stringing.

• Plate type: Bambulab Supertack (Textured PEI plate works too, but set the initial layer speed slow.)
• Nozzle size: 0.2 mm (a 0.3 mm nozzle requires some modifications to the script, such as slightly increasing the outer diameters of the hollow cylinders)
• Parts per build plate: 9, oriented so that the small corner cylinder is positioned on the builtplate. Make a few extra, since they are easily damaged during assembly.
• Print sequence: “By object”
• Sparse infill: 25%
• Brim type: Outer brim only
• Brim width: 3 mm
• Brim–object gap: 0.05 mm

Glue is required to attach the rods to the joints. I used steel rods with Loctite, which worked perfectly. Be cautious with superglue—it might glue your hands together.