Cover for water level indicator in a plant pot
How I fixed my dad's problem again
Once again, I saved the day. A few months ago, my father asked me for help. He told me that all the covers for the water level indicators in his plant pots had fallen apart. They were made of ordinary plastic, were under direct sunlight, and fell apart after a short while due to that sunlight.
My father asked if I could print something like that on a 3D printer. He always forgets the small, insignificant step that it all has to be 3D modelled first :)
I started with measuring. It’s important to mention that the entire cover didn’t need to be transparent like the original one. Using a marker, my father marked the area that he wanted to be cut out completely; the rest could be non-transparent.
I had to measure length, width, depth, distances from each other, angles, and radius. Then, using small, incremental prints, I worked my way up to the final dimensions.
Surprisingly, I guessed the radius on the first try just from a paper drawing. Similarly, I estimated the clipping mechanism on the first try; 0.2 millimetres extra on the sides was enough. I deliberately chose 0.2, as that way no supports would be needed with a 0.4 millimetre nozzle.
I printed the first print from transparent PLA filament; There was no deeper meaning to that; it was just there in the printer. However, I didn’t like the quality of the result. The part that needed to be printed with supports looked ugly and unfinished.
Then it hit me. I realised that the front didn’t have to be rounded at all. I added edges so that it could be easily printed without supports.
Immediately, the print looked a lot better. However, I did the next print from PETG filament on a textured steel sheet, so that added extra appearance points.
The final model fit perfectly. I printed it from PETG to make it more resistant to direct sunlight. My mother probably wouldn't be happy if melted PLA got in her flowers :)
My father kept saying that he needed six pieces for six pots. However, we already know that's the easiest thing to do. So, once there's a model, I might as well make 30 of them, Dad!
