Design and 3D Print a Klein Bottle
Assignments
Group assignment: test the design rules for your 3D printer(s)
Individual assignment:design and 3D print an object (small, few cm3, limited by printer time)that could not be made subtractively and 3D scan an object
What is a Klein Bottle?
A Klein bottle is a non-orientable surface with no distinct "inside" or "outside." It’s a mathematical object that cannot exist in 3D space without self-intersection—conceptually a 4D shape. The Klein bottle is a surface with only one side, similar to a Möbius strip, but more complex.
Since a Klein bottle cannot be manufactured subtractively without breaking or intersecting it, it's a perfect candidate for 3D printing.
CAD Process (Fusion 360)
Step 1: Initial Sketch
I created a 2D sketch to define the profile of the Klein bottle, including all necessary arcs and constraints.
Step 2: Revolve the Profile
Using the Revolve tool, I turned the sketch around a center axis to generate the symmetrical body.
Step 3: Fillet
I applied fillets to smooth transitions between surfaces and improve the curvature.
Step 4: Sweep for the Neck
I used the Sweep tool to create the neck of the Klein bottle, defining both path and profile.
Step 5: Section View
A section view helped refine the inner path and verify that the geometry didn’t intersect improperly.
Step 6: Final Model
Final adjustments were made, ensuring clean joins and proper topology, ready for slicing.
3D Printing Setup
I used the Bambu Lab P1S printer with PETG filament to print the Klein bottle. The model was sliced using Bambu Studio. Tree supports were used to reduce material usage, and infill was kept low at 8% to keep the part lightweight.
- Printer: Bambu Lab P1S
- Filament: Generic PETG
- Support Type: Tree (auto)
- Infill: 8%
- Slicer: Bambu Studio
Final Print
Here is the final printed Klein bottle using PETG on the Bambu Lab P1S:
Download STL File
You can download the STL model of the Klein bottle used in this project below:
📦 Download STL (ZIP)