Introduction: How to Design a Patterned Vase in SolidWorks and Add a Rose Reed Diffuser

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Hello, everyone. Today, I wanted to show you all how to make a vase with a repetitive pattern in SolidWorks. I designed this vase and added some 3D-printed roses and a reed diffuser to give it extra detail!

Supplies

For the vase

  1. Just some filament!


For the rose and reeds

  1. Filament
  2. Hot glue
  3. Reed diffuser and Essential Oil: I got mine on Amazon for $10

Step 1: Starting in Solidworks

This section will discuss how to make a simple design into a pattern and then into a vase. I found a few helpful resources and would like to share my method! From this project, I learned new Solidworks commands, such as flex and circular patterns, and I hope this helps you guys as well!

Step 2: Creating a Base Design

Let's begin by creating a square. I chose a 20mm square, though you could make the base pattern any size. Then, add whatever inner pattern you want inside the square. I chose an octagon.

Step 3: Extrude and Fillet

Now that we have a basic design, we use the extrude command to extrude the shape to the desired thickness of the vase. After, fillet the inner edge of your chosen pattern to create a smooth look!

Step 4: Pattern Backing

Next, create a new sketch on the backside of the square. You will make the new sketch like the original square sketch without the pattern. Then, extrude that sketch into the part using a couple of millimeters. This adds a backing to our pattern, so there aren't holes in our vase.

Step 5: The Flex Command

Now, we will use the flex command, which allows us to wrap an object around an axis. Choose the left and right sides of the object. Then, enter the settings exactly as I have on the left in the picture. If this doesn't work, you can play around with the flex settings until they appear correct, ensuring the top-degree setting is set to 30 degrees.


This leaves us with an object that creates a 30-degree angle. Once we use the pattern commands to make a complete circle of patterns, we will have 12 repetitions of our current part in a circle.

Step 6: Mirror Command

Next, we can use the mirror command to create a 4x2 block of our pattern. This will be the basis for our circular pattern command.

Step 7: Creating an Axis and Circular Pattern

We will now create an axis from which to make a circular pattern. To do so, select the axis command and then select our part's right and left faces. This creates an axis in the middle of our vase.


Next, use the circular pattern command to create a pattern of our part around the newly created axis.


Congrats! We now have a cylinder with a pattern. Now, we will add some vase features.

Step 8: Base and Rim

Use the sketch and extrude commands to create a solid cylinder slightly wider than the base of the part and extrude it a few millimeters up.


Repeat this on the top of the part as well, but this time, create a second circle on the sketch equal in diameter to the inner vase wall.

Step 9: Flex Command Again

Now, we can use the flex command to create an angle on the cylinder to turn it into a vase. Follow the numbers I used, or play around with it until it looks like a vase!

Step 10: Done!

And now we have our finalized vase with a pattern! It is ready to print and hold some flowers!

Step 11: Adding Roses

I chose to take this one step further and add some flowers and a reed diffuser to the vase. I created a flower mount with a hole for lavender reeds to add some scents! It fits perfectly into the vase; you can download the model here!


I then printed some flowers made by a user on Bambu Labs Maker World: Vase of roses Remixed by David - MakerWorld



Step 12: Printing

I then printed the parts, using various colors and creating a vase with mixed colors using Bambu's AMS lite on an A1!

Step 13: Printed Mount

I also designed a printed bracket to hold the reeds and flowers in place. This is specific to my vase, but I have added the CAD file for everyone to reference.

Attachments

Step 14: Vase Assembly

Next, we need to begin assembling the vase components. First, add a small glass jar to the base of the vase. Then, add the essential oil. And finally, place the printed bracket on top.

Step 15: Rose Assembly

Lastly, we need to glue together the roses and rose stems. Then, we simply slide everything into place! The printed mount can be removed anytime the oil needs to be refilled!

Step 16: The Final Product

The final product looks something like this! I really enjoyed learning about the flex command and circular patterns, and I hope I was able to teach you guys something, too! The flowers turned out to be a great gift, and the reed diffuser took it one step further!


Let me know if you guys have any questions or need any modeling!