Signing Upward Bulb - Improved!

10/25/2025

Improved Singing Upward Bulb:

It's hard to believe but this prop was first uploaded to Thingiverse in 2021!
I think a lot of people have enjoyed this, and I have seen the tree in many different shows.
Over the years, I have learned more about making these props and have incorporated ideas from others.
This new iteration of the Singing Upward Facing Bulb is hopefully better, and I anticipate it becoming the "gold standard" for this prop.

The following changes have been made:

1. The puzzle joiners have been modified to mate better without modification after print or changing slicer settings like "compensation" and "expansion" settings. If you have printed my other older props, please make sure you remove these settings as I suspect there will be issues now with holes being too big!
2. I have added 6.5mm holes at various places over the model to allow for mounting using the following standoffs -
   https://www.printables.com/model/313905-coro-prop-emt-and-pvc-stand-offs. Just a note - sometimes it is hard to find a location that allows the standoffs to work perfectly well. You may need to "modify" (e.g. grind down" the standoffs to make them fit near a pixel. I tried to avoid this, but it isn't easy!
   These standoffs were recommended by, HAJunkie2022, and work quite well. I used them for the first time this year to mount my Rudy prop in my show.
   The mounting holes are created to be used with a "Rectangular" frame with the standoffs moving top to bottom in rows.
3. I have added small holes on either side of the joints to allow using Zip Ties to keep the pieces together, better and without glue! Sure, you will have to add zip ties, but the holes are made for smaller ties, and these are quite cheap!
4. Unfortunately, due to these changes, you will not be able to use parts from this and use with the older version of the bulb. You will have to print an entire new bulb. I will be leaving the older version on Thingiverse so you will have access to original files.
   5.The hole size was modified and made slightly bigger to allow for easier placement of pixels. I can't guarantee this will be the same for all pixels. I learned this recently as some of my original pixels from years ago didn't have consistent diameters. Great lights, still running after 6 years but they had to be shaved down some to fit the holes. My newer lights fit well as these seem to be more consistently the same diameter.
5. I have added some extra supports for the eyes.

Everything else remains the same. You can still use the original XModels without modification. I hope I didn't make any changes that breaks the prop, but if I did, please let me know.

It is composed of 27 separate pieces. (there are 2 test pieces used to test print and don't attach to the bulb).
Most pieces are 6mm thick with a 2mm thick raised edge that is 10mm high. I believe this will be plenty strong and use less material than my previous attempt
using 10mm thickness throughout.
The pieces that model the male end of the bulb are 10mm thick without raised edges. I hope this gives this area a different look.
The male end pieces are attached with a "hidden" circular dove tail.

Its approximate size is 777mm wide x 1076mm high (31in x 43in).
It holds 149 pixels.

Printer:
I have been printing in PLA+. I'll have to see if it holds up outdoors!
However, I have reprinted this prop using PETG.
Parts 14a and 14-19 can be printed "face" down and there won't need to be any support or bridging required.

Assembly:
Please use the two Assembly pictures to see how to put it together. The picture with "Assembly" in the name shows how the pieces fit together.

Thank you for looking at or even attempting to print this. I would be interested in any feedback.

Enjoy.

Updates