About Me

Introduction & Background

• My name is Eli Atack and I have been interested in 3D printing as a hobby since September 2024. I was introduced to 3D printing by the Chapel Hill High School Titanium Tigers Robotics Club, and I have been a fan of it since. I have been designing my own 3D prints since January 2025 using TinkerCAD. I have also been on the robotics team since the start of the 2024-25 school year when I was a freshman.

Skills & Expertise

• I have skills in a few different 3D modeling softwares such as:

  • Autodesk 3DS Max

  • TinkerCAD

• My strongest 3D modeling strengths at the moment are designing functional household models, such as vases, kitchen sponge holders, and a custom pegboard to hold all of my 3D printing tools and materials.

Projects & Experience

• I have worked on many personal 3D modeling projects, like designing a centerpiece vase for my family's table; designing a custom pegboard and accessories for all of my 3D printing tools, materials, and filament; and designing a kitchen sponge holder that hangs from the side of the kitchen sink and dries the sponge.

• One of the hardest projects that I have worked on so far was the kitchen sponge holder, which I had to redesign a clip that held onto the base of the faucet many times. I first tried to make a circular clip that would close fully around the faucet, but then redesigned it, making it a slightly more than half circle that would just push onto the faucet base. After that, I took measurements of the sponge and scraper and added a few millimeters of wiggle room to each side. The final thing that I did was I attached the clip to the sponge holder, and I was done.

• Creative Process & Inspiration

• My process when making a new project:

  • First of all, I brainstorm about what I want to make

  • Second of all, I write down a few decent ideas

  • After that, I choose which idea is the best, and then start thinking about how I would make it

  • After that, I jump right in and roughly model the whole thing, and 3D print a few test pieces to see if everything works, and if it does, I continue and change anything that needs to be changed.

• I get inspired to start a project if something needs to be organized or fixed in my house

  • For instance, we didn't have a good place to put the kitchen sponge that would drain it, so I made the holder.

  • Also, one of our blinds rods broke off and we couldn't glue it back on, so I designed and printed a blinds rod.

Future Goals & Aspirations

• My long term goal is that I want to get into NC State for mechanical engineering.