Hi everyone,
I made this adapter for our parasol stand and used it to practise something I learned in the last Shapr3D Challenge: using variables. I want to give it back to the Shapr3D community, so here is also the shapr file.
The project consists of three bodies: a top ring, a removable cap, and a bottom insert that sits at the bottom of the hole. The parasol pole rests on this bottom insert, helping to keep it centred and upright.
The important dimensions are controlled by variables, so you only need to enter the dimensions of your own parasol pole and stand and the model adjusts automatically.
I also wanted the cap to stay attached when removed, so I added a cord. The cord runs inside the parts, so I had to create some extra internal space for it. I used two additional circles in Sketch 2 and Sketch 3 to make the holes for the cord — there is probably a more elegant way to do that. 
One thing to note: you won’t see the bottom insert in the model at first, because it is hidden underneath the other two parts.
If you want to export the parts for printing, make sure to export them separately by choosing “Save Each 1st-Level Item Separately”. This will give you the three individual parts.
My variable names are still in Dutch, but hopefully they are easy enough to understand.
A small practical project, a nice way to put what I learned in the Challenge into practice, and perhaps it can be useful to someone else here too.
Buis voor parasol met koordlijn.shapr (128.4 KB)
Nice job @margriet.
And thanks for sharing. What printer do you have or did you use?
Filament - being outside PLA might struggle long term. Coating is a good idea or perhaps did you consider other types more suitable to outdoors?
I printed it in PETG. I have a Snapmaker U1, and since I got a Sunlu S2 filament dryer, PETG prints really well for me.
I thought PETG would be suitable enough for outdoor use, so I wasn’t planning to coat it. Do you think a coating would still be a good idea?
PETG is okay-ish for outdoor applications. Not great, not terrible. For something that’s always exposed to weather and the sun, I’d go with ABS.
Perhaps need to try drying my PETG. I haven’t had much luck with it on the U1. Although i did get a really cheap brand.
I’ve noticed that PETG quality can differ wildly between brands. I’ve had terrible PETG that I couldn’t get to print well even after drying for a long time, others will be perfect right out of the box.
I’m a big fan of SUNLU filament. I use their grey PETG, and I’ve noticed a huge difference when printing directly from a dryer.
In the picture, the left print was made with the dryer on, the right without. The surprising thing is that the left print was started after the filament had been in the dryer for only about one hour.
Of course, I ended up buying the SUNLU S2 dryer as well. 
I use SUNLU’s recommended settings, since I’m using their filament.
It’s quite warm here in the Netherlands at the moment, so I’m wondering if it’s not just about drying the filament. Maybe having the filament warmed up while printing also makes a difference?
PETG does absorb moisture, and that can cause stringing, tiny bubbles and a rougher surface. But after only one hour in the dryer, the whole spool probably isn’t completely dry yet. So I suspect the improvement is a combination of some moisture already being removed and the filament itself being warm. Warm PETG is a little more flexible and feeds more easily and consistently.
Whatever the exact reason, the difference is pretty convincing to me: my PETG definitely prints better straight from the dryer.
