Multiple Filaments, Zero Limits: Production Experience with Co Print
Imagine a table tennis set... But this time it is not made of classic wood or plastic.Ping pong is not only a sport but also a hobby for almost everyone, regardless of age. Sometimes at a picnic, sometimes at a friend's house, sometimes at the office. However, traditional ping pong sets are often difficult to transport, laborious to set up or unusable due to space constraints. This is where a portable, aesthetic and multifunctional ping pong set produced with 3D printing technology comes into play. This set does not deprive you of your fun and allows you to enjoy the game wherever you want. While starting with the idea of a portable set, we preferred to use a printer that can use multiple materials and colors at the same time to achieve a more aesthetic appearance.
It was produced with a 3D printer, in a single print and using a combination of different materials. Thanks to Co Print 3D's multi-material support, this set combines the simplest yet most aesthetic form of technology and design.
Thanks to the wood-like organic filament (Pla Wood) used in the grip, the racket feels warm and natural when you pick it up. Even with a light touch, you can feel the familiar texture of the wood and understand how the closeness to nature is reflected in the product. On the top surface, there is a light gray PLA filament that breathes new life into classic ping pong rackets. The triangular holes in the surface are not just design - they are also functional. Because this structure allows the paddle to breathe, making it both lighter and more stable.
During the production process, the paddle, grip and bronze details were produced with Ender3v2 on a single printing table. We used ChromaSet, a multi-color printing upgrade kit for marlin-based 3D printers, to make this relatively old device, which can normally only print in one color, print in color and speed it up. Thus, we were able to print the racket, which took 9-10 hours with the stock ender 3V2, in 4-5 hours despite being multi-color. Since we needed a printer with a larger print volume for the net part of the ping pong set, we decided to produce it with one of Creality's new and largest models, the Ender 5 Max. However, even though it is a new printer, the Ender 5 Max did not have multi-color copperplate support. That's why we used the KCM Set, a multicolor print upgrade kit developed for clipper-based printers. In other words, without the hassle of printing, assembling and assembling individual parts, a functional and stylish product emerged in a single print. This saves a lot of time and simplifies the production process. Moreover, thanks to the prevalence of PLA filament, this product can be easily reproduced by all 3D printer users.
Orca Slicer software and the ChromaHead profile were used to slice the ping pong set. To get the patterns on the rackets, we had to make a few adjustments in Orca Slicer. We went into the Strenght section from the Global tab and set the Wall Loop's to 5. Then, in the Top/Buttom shells section, we set the Top shell layers setting to 0. Likewise, we reset the buttom layers setting to zero. We set the infill desity to 35% and the infill pattern to triangles. In the Support section, we activated the support to fill the lower parts of the racket and set the type to normal and the style to sug.
As you can see in the images, the set is not only limited to rackets. The ping pong ball, which is green in color and designed with holes inside, is also completely 3D printed. The products are flexible, lightweight yet sturdy. The fact that they can be reprinted in case of loss or damage gives the user great freedom.
In addition, the net part, printed in white, can be lengthened or shortened according to the table size. In order to ensure that you can install the net on the table you want to play on, 2 net tensioners are produced in black color, 2 of which consist of 3 pieces each. Since the net consists of removable parts, it is both easy to install and portable. This makes the product usable everywhere without being tied to fixed places.
And all these pieces are placed in a specially designed black transportation box. The inside of the box is shaped like a mold; each part has a special slot. If the user wishes, they can also increase the durability of the box by increasing the internal padding. The box promises a long-term use with its durability and elegance. Moreover, just like the rackets, the design of the box can be customized. A personalized version can easily be produced in different colors, different materials, or even by adding text or a logo.
Taking our ideas or hobbies out of the design phase and turning them into physical objects was not only a technical achievement, but also a pleasant and satisfying production experience.
Working with this self-sufficient, low-waste and customizable system has allowed us to protect our environmental sensitivity and demonstrate a brand new approach to production.
This ping pong set is not just a product; it is the result of an ongoing creative and transformative journey from idea to production, from technology to aesthetics. If you want to produce your own story, it all starts with an idea.
