For over a decade now, I've been actively contributing to the 3D printing community through Thingiverse, sharing models I've created and modifications I've made to existing designs. Looking back at the statistics, it's amazing to see how these contributions have helped others in their maker journey.

Thingiverse used to be a thriving hub of creativity and innovation in the maker community. However, its soul has gradually faded since Stratasys, a corporate 3D printer manufacturer, acquired Makerbot, which owned Thingiverse. While their intention might have been to maintain the hobbyist feel and maker vibe—possibly hoping to nurture home 3D modelers into users of their professional-grade systems—the reality has been quite different.

I've had the opportunity to work with Stratasys systems, which can cost upwards of half a million dollars. But there's a harsh truth about these professional systems: they often struggle to generate profit due to their business model. The combination of subscriptions, service requirements, and machine-specific resin creates a brutal ecosystem that locks users into an expensive and inflexible system.

Despite these industry changes, the statistics below represent a time when the community was at its most vibrant, showcasing the true potential of open-source 3D printing and collaborative design:

Title	Views	Downloads	Likes	Collects
Structure Sensor iPhone 7 Plus Case	4901	1125	25	30
Knuckles Structure Sensor Rig	3596	1218	75	63
Estimote Beacon Case	1411	805	24	18
Toggles - iPad Goggles for VR	1108	717	9	12
IKEA Desk Headphone Holder	1107	410	25	22
Structure Sensor iPad Mini with Light Shoe	834	397	11	12
Artistic UT Tower	495	389	10	13
Poop Emoji Desk Plug - 2"	426	335	18	18
Makerbot Mini Spool for Dremel 3D Printer	399	365	5	7
Truck Cover Lever	356	394	2	6
Gimbal Beacon Case	288	423	5	1
My Customized LEGO-Compatible Brick	1	0	0	0

Looking at these statistics, it's incredible to see the impact these designs have had. The Structure Sensor iPhone 7 Plus Case and Knuckles Structure Sensor Rig have been particularly successful, with nearly 2,500 downloads between them. These designs helped makers integrate 3D scanning capabilities into their workflows.

What's particularly rewarding is seeing how these designs have been used and adapted by the community. From practical solutions like the IKEA headphone holder to specialized tools like the Structure Sensor rigs, each design has served a specific need in the maker community.

In total, these designs have accumulated over 14,900 views and more than 5,500 downloads, along with 209 likes and 202 collections. While some of these designs were created for specific hardware that may now be outdated (like the iPhone 7 Plus case), they serve as a testament to the 3D printing community's ability to solve problems and create custom solutions.

As technology evolves, the need for custom 3D printed solutions continues to grow, and I'm excited to keep contributing to this vibrant community. Whether it's creating mounts for new devices, improving existing designs, or developing entirely new solutions, the maker community on Thingiverse remains an invaluable resource for sharing knowledge and creativity.

View All My Thingiverse Models

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