Figure Bubble House

This is a customizable figurine display stand constructed from readily available filament spools, designed to evolve alongside your collection

This project comprises numerous components, categorized into three functional groups:

1、Connectors (2 variants); 2、Spool-compatible Bubbles (7 variants); 3、Decorative Elements (2 sets);

Detailed descriptions below:

1、Connectors

These components facilitate the interconnection of spools, preventing lateral displacement during stacking. Their incorporation not only resolves this issue but also enables the creation of cantilevered configurations. Two variants are provided: a three-pronged design for central sections and a two-pronged design for perimeter applications.

While the connectors form the core of this project, they are not intended as a focal point, avoiding ostentation. As illustrated in the image to the right, I have discreetly attached at least eight, demonstrating their unobtrusive nature. For optimal aesthetic appeal, I recommend employing PLA Wood for its realistic wood grain.

To achieve a compact, robust, and highly compatible design, meticulous attention was paid to stress concentration and distribution. For clarity, I've included a pair of stress cloud diagrams. The left diagram depicts this project; the right, a structurally similar but unoptimized design. Notice the relatively gradual transition from high (red) to low (blue) stress in the optimized design, reflecting a more even stress distribution. This minimizes the risk of fracture by dispersing stress. Each prong features a small, support-free protrusion on its inner surface—the small red dots at each prong tip—that facilitates secure grip by concentrating stress.

Allow me a moment of self-congratulation: Simple, yet sophisticated. 🤭

2、Spool-compatible Bubbles

At lower stack heights, these bubble enclosures can be employed independently, without connectors or spools. They are designed to accommodate larger figurines or those requiring individual containment. Seven variants are included, all printable on A1 and P1 printers. To optimize material usage and maintain structural integrity, single-hole designs incorporate both hollowing and thin-walled reinforcement ribs. Larger bubbles, particularly the three-hole linear arrangement, received additional reinforcement to mitigate potential stiffness deficiencies. For optimal aesthetics, I recommend using PLA Wood, PLA Marble, or transparent PETG; their versatility ensures a harmonious visual presentation. Consider a dark base and lighter upper layers for a visually pleasing effect. Color schemes can also be tailored to complement your collection; for example, green, purple, black, yellow, and red for EVA-themed figurines. Feel free to experiment and share your results.

              (Consider adding a brim to prevent spaghetti-like prints depending on your printer specifications)

3、Decorative Elements

In contrast to the connectors, these elements serve to draw the eye. Imagine a display wall growing over time, with older pieces positioned lower. This area would benefit from decorative accents such as small badges or similar items. To this end, I've designed two eye-catching embellishments: eyes and arrows. Given the growing nature of the bubble display and its wood-like appearance, climbing vines were a natural fit, resulting in components based on the "Ipomoea quamoclit" vine. I tested the components using standard PLA, galaxy PLA, and glow-in-the-dark PLA. Each offers unique qualities; standard PLA exhibits the highest fidelity, galaxy PLA adds a touch of fantasy, and glow-in-the-dark PLA provides a playful element. The animated image illustrates the assembly process, albeit demonstrating a less-than-ideal print that required the use of pliers for assembly.

The above components add vibrancy. However, some collectors might have items they wish to store but not display. Therefore, I've included two "spiderweb" designs for concealing such items.

These include a medium-sized web that attaches to the connectors and a smaller web that hooks onto the spools. TPU is recommended for printing these components.

(The spiderwebs and vines are intricate and may prove challenging to print; test first, then print multiples in a single batch.)

The inspiration for this project stemmed from the phrase: “What kind of destination is worthy of such a tumultuous journey?”

This project began as a simple “connector.” As testing progressed, more ideas emerged, leading to a more comprehensive design.

From minimalist to elaborate, the choice is yours.

What kind of destination do you envision?

Do you remember the journey?

I pondered this question for a long time during the design process. My answer is "accumulation." It could be a display stand like this, notes, or something intangible, but as long as you focus on accumulation, looking back, there will be no regrets.