The best triply periodic minimal surface ever!

I put a bigger one here.

Ball trapped in a spiral cage

An espresso cup specially designed with fins, to ensure the successful deployment of your rocket fuel. All systems are go! Paraboloid bowl holds approximately 1.5 fl oz. or 45 mL. (Note that I previously claimed the cup held 60 mL. While my 3D modelling software still reports that as the internal volume, some combination of the printing process and glazing is robbing me of internal volume. Contact me if you'd be interested in a larger, more expensive 60 mL cup.)

After receiving feedback from Shapeways, I've created a slightly revised model for the cup. I'm told that this model will be easier to print and glaze, leading to a more reliable product. The changes are minor -- it's a little wider, a little heavier, and has more rounding on edges that were previously sharp (a 3D rendering shows the differences above).

Update (April 13th, 2013): The cup has had a great run on Shapeways, and I deeply appreciate the attention and positive feedback it has received. The bad news is that I've got to stop offering it for sale here. The good news is that the cup is now available commercially! It's being manufactured by Fred and Friends, sold under the name "Blast Off! Espresso Cup Set". It's already available for purchase online (perpetualkid.com, thinkgeek.com), and I'm sure you'll be able to find it in your favourite housewares store soon.

If M.C. Escher had owned fidget toys, he would have worn "One ring to rule the ball" as a pendant. A single, continuous line contains a small ball that makes orbit after mesmerizing orbit but cannot escape, always held down in four directions. Available in solid, durable stainless steel with optional antique bronze and gold plated finishes to fit any context, "One ring to rule the ball" now also includes a free rubber necklace so that you can confuse your mind any time the fancy strikes you! One customer echoes many others in saying, "I couldn't put it down. This thing is just too fun!"

Purchases by those gracious customers have now paid for the design time on this piece so it is available on a pay-what-you-want basis. Ordering from this page contributes 5$ towards continuing work such as the new, even more impossible "One ring to pwn the ball" (just released October 18th!) which can be found at http://www.shapeways.com/model/145172/one_ring_to_pwn_the_ball.html and the open-source "Ultimate Desk Toy" at http://www.shapeways.com/model/109166/ultimate_desk_toy.html . To download the original 3d file for your own use under a CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ca ) click "Download" at top right . To learn more about this design or other work from Terra Cotta, visit our website at http://www.terracottapf.com

Another projection of the 4-dimensional hypercube, this one close to vertex-centered. I love the shape of its hull: almost a rhombic dodecahedron, but skewed just enough to keep the central vertices from meeting.
The more usual projection is here, other polytopes are here.

A 3-dimensional version of the Hilbert space filling curve. As shown in the photos, if printed in one of the "Strong & Flexible" plastics, it can be used as a bracelet or hair accessory. It takes a little time to reform back as a cube after being stretched, but it seems that leaving it overnight does the job.

A smaller version of Triple Gear is available here. A baseplate and axle for using a motor to move the triple gear is available here. Also see 15 cm axle for Triple gear and 30 cm axle for Triple gear.

In this unusual mechanism three gears mesh together in pairs, and yet they can turn!

If you take three ordinary gears and put them together so that each gear meshes with the other two, then none of the gears can turn because neighbouring gears must turn in opposite directions. Triple gear avoids this problem by having the three "gears" arranged like linked rings - the gears then rotate along skew axes, and the opposite direction rule no longer applies (although see also Oskar van Deventer's Magic Gears for another possible solution).

This is joint work with Saul Schleimer. We were inspired by another of Oskar's designs, his Knotted Gear, which consists of two linked rings that gear with each other, and of course we wondered if it would be possible to do three linked rings!

Here is a paper on the mathematics behind the Triple gear, and how we designed it.

A note on materials: I have so far printed it in White Strong & Flexible only. It may arrive with the rings slightly fused together, but gently moving them back and forth will loosen them up, and the mechanism gets smoother with use. I'm not sure what effect the polishing process would have on the gearing mechanism, since it would polish the exposed gear teeth but not those which are meshed as it comes out of the printer. So I have disabled the polished material options. If you really want to try it, let me know. I also haven't tested any of the "frosted detail" materials, but I imagine that they should work fine. It isn't printable in the other "detail" materials because of cleaning problems.

A delightful surface: the gyroid put through a simple inverse transformation. It's ellipsoidal on the outside, and there is a sphere taken out of the center, which is difficult to see; for otherwise it would be infinitely tiny inside, and therefore unprintable.

The Lotus top is a graceful form that embraces the upper body, accentuating the shoulders and clavicles. It's name comes from its unique design that blooms at the center opening, allowing the wearer to put her head through and rest it comfortably on the neck and shoulders.

A perfect fit requires a 3D body scan. Email Contact (at) ThreeFormFashion.com for more information on full service scanning and fitting.

Roll a Ball on Plastic Rails Inside a 3D Cube. Reach the Exit to Solve the Maze Puzzle. Rolling Ball Maze Puzzle & Brain Game for Kids, teens & Adults.

New 3D Rolling Ball Maze Puzzle. Roll the ball inside a Plastic 3D maze cube to the exit to solve the puzzle. New 2011 brain toy game. A Work of Art.

Color and material options are in the "Select Material" drop-down list on the right. If you want an option not shown or would like a quantity discount, please click on the "Contact Designer" button to write me an email.This pack includes the mazes listed below. Each maze includes it’s own ball.

Escher’s Playground - Reminiscent of the upside-down staircase paintings by Escher, this 7x7x7 maze will soon have you forgetting which way is up and down. The dimensions of this maze are 40mm by 40mm by 40mm and the ball is 9mm in diameter.

Floating Labyrinth - The ball appears to float through an intricately connected matrix. What appears to be open paths are mysteriously blocked in this 6x6x6 maze. The dimensions of this maze are 31mm by 31mm by 31mm and the ball is 8mm in diameter.

Zig Zag Zog - You will learn to zig zag in three dimensions to solve this 5x5x5 maze, but watch out for the pitfalls! The dimensions of this maze are 24mm by 24mm by 24mm and the ball is 7mm in diameter.

Start by pushing the ball into the spring loaded entrance ( it looks like a backwards “J”). Tip the maze in different directions to roll the ball along the paths through the maze. Don’t worry, if you make a wrong turn, the ball will not fall out of the maze. If the ball runs into a dead-end you can just roll the ball back the opposite way and try another path, that’s all part of this fun brain game. When you reach the exit there is a spring loaded button to press to release the ball from the maze. The exit is in a corner of the 3D maze, where you will find a bar with the little button sticking out from the side of the maze.

Each maze game come with the ball attached by a little chain link cage for shipping. This needs to be cut off and cut open with scissors and the ball will fall out. Note that each larger size maze comes with a larger ball. The balls can quickly and easily be colored with a highlighter or marker. Let the ball dry for a minute after applying then roll between clean white paper to remove excess color so it does not rub off on the maze. Paint for plastic models can also be used. The orange, green and black balls in the pictures were colored with highlighters or markers. Coloring the ball makes it easier to track in the Labyrinth maze.

See for yourself how Ethereal Maze Puzzles take maze puzzles to a whole new level of challenge and fun. With their convoluted lattice structure they can also be enjoyed as captivating and intriguing sculptural works of art.

For updates, news and reviews please visit the Ethereal Maze Puzzles YouTube channel and Facebook Fan Page

Show off these unique Works of Art in a quality display case. The medium size case is about $3 and is perfect for "Escher’s Playground". You can see a picture of the display case with a maze inside in the photos above. Use the link below to get your Display Case with Free Shipping.

Medium Size BCW Maze Puzzle Display Case

If you are in the UK you can get a similar one for about GBP 5.30 with Free Shipping with the link below:

Display Case for Bare Bones for UK Customers

The original Eardrops
A pair of elegant spiral droplet earrings.
Absolutely stunning in the new Premium Silver!


I recommend to use these with silver earring hooks and attach them with (7mm) split rings (not included)
These are availble at your local bijoux or jewellery store or via websites.
If you have trouble finding them, contact me with a copy of your invoice and I will make sure you get a pair!

More earrings

Ever lose the little plate with nowhere to put your cup of espresso? It's confusing. Designed to eliminate the need for a plate or coaster, the plateless espresso cup can sit directly on the table without leaving a ring behind. Without the plate, you can move from room to room with your espresso and still have one free hand. You'll find yourself wondering why espresso cups ever got involved with the little plates in the first place. Can hold up to 90ml.

This design was inspired by the swirling seed heads of Clematis flowers. When I first saw the seed pods, the first thought that came to my mind was, "The flower is dancing." This model took me longer than expected to finish. My first model was a chaotic tangle of lines. (It looked like the flower went mad instead... hahaha) I went back to look at references to try to capture the original lightness and motion of the flower seeds. At the end, the model was tweaked further to make sure none of the tails intersect each other.

A design inspired by starfish dancing together in the ocean, this fluid, intricate pendant deserves a place close to the heart--yours or a loved one's. Available in solid, durable stainless steel for lasting quality in a variety of finishes; black and white glass for a classic, delicate look; or sterling silver for a refined elegance that will feel comfortable at any occasion. Matching earrings available at http://www.shapeways.com/model/52035/starfish_kanga_earrings.html

To learn more, visit our website at http://www.terracottapf.com

A self-referential tessellation of the sphere.

This is a little delicate as the lines are 1.5mm thick, but it seems sturdy enough.

This 7" pendant lamp is covered by ridges and valleys that transmit different amounts of light when illuminated; they furnish a striking pattern whether the lamp is on or off.

We created the form by simulating a process where two chemicals diffuse across a surface and react with one another to form stable patterns. This process, reaction-diffusion, can be used to explain the intricate patterns found on the skin of many types of animals, from the spots of leopards to the radiating stripes of angelfish. Growing a pattern with different parameters can produce dramatically different results.

Here, we orchestrated a pattern that twists elegantly towards the base of the lamp where it terminates in a gentle spiral. Lines diverge and converge along the contours of the sphere, blanketing the surface in many deep grooves. We think the pattern recalls the forms of sand dunes and hard corals.

Only the shade portion of the lamp is shipped by shapeways. The light fixture can be purchased separately from us, email us at hello@n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com

Light Fixture The lamp comes with an eco-friendly 3-watt LED light fixture with three bright Cree LED's that will last for 6 years of continuous use. It is UL-listed and plugs into the wall.

The same as this model on bathsheba.com: here it is in some other materials.

Bigger version here.

The full-color version of the double gyroid bones!
Printed as two separate but intertwining parts.
Please see video above.

This principle is also available as a candle stand.

Please contact me if you require custom texture mapping.

This unique pendant by a guest designer looks like a textured cross from the front, but when turned sideways reveals itself to be the word `Jesus`. Available in solid stainless steel with optional bronze antiquing or gold plating, and in sterling silver. To learn more about this design or other work from Terra Cotta, visit our website at http://www.terracottapf.com

Flower Pump is inspired by the muscle of love,
...every artery leads straight to the heart ....

The Earth, Moon, and Mars, to scale, with 3D surface terrain and full color from the latest NASA space imaging.

[See also the solar system set (but note that set is a logrithmic scale, not linear like this one)]

Dimensions:
Earth: 50mm (2 inches) diameter
Mars: 27mm (1 inches) diameter
Moon: 13mm (0.54 inches) diameter

Scale: 1 : 251102362

The Earth and Mars globes are hollow, with a 12mm (1/2 inch) hole at the south pole, giving them a flat bottom on which to sit without rolling, but each also comes with a matching cap/plug to seal that hole, to form a full sphere. (The moon is solid)

Special thanks to NASA / JPL-Caltech, for allowing the use of their planet surface terrain and mapping.

I ordered a test print to be sure that everything works the way it was supposed to be.

When it arrived it was not perfectly round but slightly deformed. I guess it is impossible to ship this thing in a packet without deforming it...

Nevertheless this is a nice toy to play around with. It can be squeezed or thrown against walls - In spite of it´s fine structure it is pretty sturdy.

this bracelet is proposed in 3 size, but if you have a special size...

the dimension inside the bracelet for the medium:
62mmX43mm
2,44 inchesX1,7 inches

Even fidget toys get to have a "2.0" . An updated version of the popular "One ring to rule the ball" design with fewer twists, thicker wire, and a bigger ball, "One ring to pwn the ball" takes its steampunk ancestry in a smooth, contemporary direction that's twice as ruthless with your mind--it seems doubly impossible that this ball could be solidly contained by just one short, twisting wire. With no hole in the middle for a rubber or leather strap, you'll have to go to http://www.shapeways.com/model/145208/one_ring_to_pwn_the_ball_pendant.html to wear it around your neck. But in both cases you'll get solid stainless steel with optional bronze antiquing or gold plating, and a look that ties brains in knots.

For the classic "One ring to rule the ball" design, now available on a pay-what-you-want basis, go to http://www.shapeways.com/model/52936/one_ring_to_rule_the_ball.html . To learn more about this design or other work from Terra Cotta, visit our website at http://www.terracottapf.com

This prickly sphere looks amazing in 3D, you can lose your self for hours playing and being mesmerized by it.
It doubles as an acupuncture ball, roll it around on your body ( I love it on my head) to relax and circulate your blood, the skin feels tingly afterwards. 

this is a small object, designed as pendant, earring or key holder.