Memorial Christmas Snowflake (Laser + 3D Print)

This Christmas marks 20 years since my dad passed away, and I wanted to make something meaningful for my sisters to hang on their trees. Rather than buying something, I decided to design and make a personalised ornament myself.

I’ve only had my first 3D printer for a few weeks, but I’ve already become slightly addicted 😄 — and this felt like the perfect project to really explore what the H2D can do beyond basic prints.

✨ Design Concept

The ornament is a print-in-place, rotating centre snowflake that combines:

• 3D printing (structure + rotating mechanism)
• Laser cutting (wooden snowflake)
• Laser engraving (memorial centre disc)

I could have made the whole thing in plastic, but I wanted to:

• Test both the laser and printer functions
• Combine materials
• Push myself a bit creatively

🔧 How It Was Made

1. Designed the rotating centre and frame in Fusion 360
2. Laser cut the snowflake from walnut
3. Laser engraved the centre disc
4. Started the 3D print and paused at ~layer 30
5. Inserted the engraved disc and wooden snowflake
6. Resumed the print to lock everything in place

The printer did create a couple of loose strands during the pause, but I carefully tucked them back with tweezers. On the next pass, the printer cleaned them up without issue.

Once finished, the structure is solid, and the centre disc rotates freely.

🧵 Materials Used

• Silk PLA for the printed parts
• Walnut for the laser-cut snowflake
• Glitter finish (personal choice — the wood also looks great without it)

I still need to add some ribbon, but overall I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

💡 Sharing the Design

I’m sharing this design in case anyone:

• Wants to make their own memorial or keepsake ornament
• Is experimenting with print-pause-insert techniques
• Wants to improve or remix the design

If you build on it or refine it, I’d love to see what you do with it.

Thanks for taking a look — and happy making ❤️