Pieksekisten – External 3D Printing Support
About the Main Project
This topic is dedicated exclusively to the organization of external 3D printing support.
Information about the Pieksekisten project, recent prints, deliveries, hospital updates, designers, contests and general project progress can be found in the main project topic:
Please note:
This topic is intended solely for the coordination of external printing support.
Project updates, deliveries, hospital reports and general discussions about the project should continue in the main project topic.
Current Printing Status
We are currently not looking for external printing support.
What is this about?
Pieksekisten is a charity project supporting children undergoing treatment at a pediatric oncology ward.
In addition to many other small gifts and surprises, the boxes also contain selected 3D printed items designed to bring joy and make hospital stays a little easier for the children.
As demand and requirements change over time, we occasionally seek support from external 3D printing volunteers.
Available Models
External printing support is limited to:
- models from approved project collections
- Design Contest models that have been explicitly approved in a specific print request
The current collections and approved model lists are provided by the project team.
Approved Collections
Volunteers may choose their preferred model themselves.
When applying, please tell us which model you would like to print.
The currently approved models can be found in our official project collections and approved Design Contest selections.
Project Collections:
Design Contest Models:
Models from the Design Contest may also be approved for future print requests.
As the review and selection process for submitted contest models is still ongoing, contest models will be approved and released at a later stage.
Please use only models from these approved sources.
Additional collections or approved models may be added over time.
Who can participate?
Anyone may apply to support a print campaign.
Participation is only possible after approval by the project team.
Please do not start printing before receiving confirmation.
To avoid unnecessary overproduction, print jobs are coordinated individually.
Application
If you would like to help, simply reply in this topic.
Please include:
- which model you would like to print,
- the approximate quantity you can provide,
- the material you intend to use.
Important
Please wait for confirmation before starting production.
The application process allows us to coordinate models and quantities so that a variety of suitable items are available while avoiding unnecessary overproduction.
After reviewing your request, we will contact you and discuss the next steps.
Guidelines for External Printing Volunteers
1. Approved Models
Only the following may be printed:
- models from approved project collections
- Design Contest models that have been explicitly approved for a specific print campaign
Other models are not permitted.
2. Materials
The following materials are currently accepted:
- PLA
- PLA+
- PLA 2.0+
- PETG
Other materials are currently not planned.
3. Colors
Color selection is generally unrestricted.
Child-friendly and cheerful colors are highly encouraged.
4. Size
Models may not be scaled arbitrarily.
The Pieksekisten have an approximate maximum internal size of:
- 20 cm width
- 20 cm height
- 16 cm depth
These dimensions describe the total available space inside the box and should not be considered the recommended size for an individual model.
Since the Pieksekisten also contain toys, gifts and other surprises, printed models should only occupy a reasonable portion of the available space.
If in doubt, please contact the project team before printing.
5. Quality
All models must be:
- complete,
- stable,
- safe,
- cleanly printed,
- suitable for children.
Models should withstand normal handling by children.
Models with sharp edges, significant print defects, damage or potential safety risks will not be used.
6. Hygiene
Printed items must be:
- clean,
- dry,
- odor-free,
- free of dirt,
- free of pet hair.
The following are not accepted:
- dirty prints,
- damaged prints,
- prints damaged or chewed by animals,
- prints from smoking households,
- prints with other forms of contamination.
7. Print Settings
Print settings are left to the individual volunteer.
The final quality of the finished model is what matters.
8. Quantities
Please produce only the agreed quantities.
Small deviations are acceptable.
Larger overproduction should be avoided.
The project works according to actual demand and regularly adapts model selection based on feedback and the interests of the children.
9. Shipping
Models should be packaged securely for transport.
Cardboard boxes or similar sturdy packaging are preferred.
After arrival, all prints are inspected, cleaned and, where appropriate, disinfected before being considered for use in future Pieksekisten deliveries.
10. Quality Control
All submitted models are inspected.
Models that do not meet project requirements will be removed from consideration.
Items are generally not returned.
Models may also be declined if there is currently no demand or if sufficient stock is already available.
The project follows a zero-tolerance policy regarding safety, hygiene and quality standards.
11. Publicity
Posts about your support are welcome and appreciated.
Please respect privacy requirements and any applicable rules regarding hospitals, staff and patients.
12. Costs
Participation is entirely voluntary.
Material, electricity, packaging and shipping costs are the responsibility of the volunteer.
No reimbursement or compensation is provided.
Why does this project use a structured process?
Click here to view Why does this project use a structured process?
# Why does this project use a structured process?Some people may wonder why there is such a detailed guideline and why external printing support is organized through approvals instead of simply accepting every printed model that gets sent to us.
The reason is quite simple:
Our goal is not to collect as many prints as possible.
Our goal is to provide suitable, safe and useful items for children on a pediatric oncology ward.
Because of that, the project follows a structured process.
Avoiding overproduction
One of the biggest challenges in community-driven projects is that many people may decide to print the same model at the same time.
While the willingness to help is appreciated, uncontrolled production can quickly lead to:
- unnecessary material consumption
- excessive stock levels
- storage problems
- models that may never actually be used
By coordinating print jobs before printing starts, we can ensure that support is directed where it is currently needed.
Respecting designers
We do not simply print random models from MakerWorld.
Models are selected from approved project collections or specifically approved contest entries.
This helps ensure that permissions, credits and transparency are maintained.
Quality, safety and hygiene
The printed models are intended for children.
For that reason, every model sent to the project undergoes an internal review process before it can be used.
This includes:
- visual inspection
- quality control
- safety review
- cleaning
- and, where appropriate, disinfection
Only after passing this process can a model become part of a future Pieksekisten delivery.
Sustainable use of resources
More prints do not automatically mean more benefit.
The project aims to use materials, storage space and volunteer effort responsibly.
Printing only what is actually needed helps avoid waste and allows us to react to changing interests and preferences over time.
Clear responsibilities
The workflow is intentionally simple:
Volunteer
↓
Project approval
↓
Printing
↓
Shipment to the project
↓
Inspection and quality control
↓
Cleaning / disinfection
↓
Inventory
↓
Pieksekisten delivery
This ensures that every model follows the same process before reaching the children.
Growing responsibly
The same workflow works whether there is:
- 1 volunteer
- 10 volunteers
- or 50 volunteers
Creating a clear process from the beginning helps keep the project organized, transparent and sustainable as it grows.
Thank you to everyone who is interested in supporting the project and helping us bring a little joy to the children.
Closing Words
We greatly appreciate every form of support.
Together we can help bring a little joy to children undergoing treatment on a pediatric oncology ward.
Thank you to everyone who chooses to help.
External Printing Campaign 
