Bells really need to be made of metal to 'ring' however this easy one piece print does a surprisingly good job due to the shape, internal space and clapper movement. The fact is it resonates (rings) so has a tone. If you hold the sides instead of the top, and the sound changes. The clapper causing the bell surface to vibrate / resonate generates a note / tone so you can argue it rings and isn't a rattle... but you can be the judge by printing one for fun.

The clapper builds up separately from the body with its shaft expanding at the top to stop it from coming out; When printed on a precise well set up machine the clapper should be free and swing easily in all directions.

The walls of the bell are thin so it doesn't consume a lot of filament. However using high infill will increase the weight of the clapper and help it ring better. 2 Shells and 50% of more infill (PLA) is recommended.

Using a Raft is recommended as it will allow the print to be removed from the build plate gently. This will be reduce the risk of damaging the clapper as the raft can then be removed gently (and more gently than puling the print directly off the build plate with no protection for the clapper. A small waste ring has been included in the design so the raft should extend across the entire base of the bell (otherwise some raft will form under the bell and a separate section under the clapper so the raft will not achieve the desired result of gentle / easier print removal.

This Ringing Bell is a unique shape and includes a hanger on top. This is a fun, novelty print that can be used simply to create noise from a 3D printed thing or as a decoration at Christmas etc.

Please view the images and read the instructions for more information... and post images of your bells in use.

Note: If you like this check out the rest of my fun and practical designs.

MakerBot