Sphericon

prusaprinters

<p>This is a parametrized Sphericon.</p> <p>A Sphericon is a mathematical body, that is generated by rotating a polygon around one of its symmetry axes. The resulting body is then cut in half, one half is turned a certain amount, and finally the halves are joined again. Many Sphericons can roll, but with a wobbly motion.</p> <p>I saw Sphericons on the YouTube channel Makers Muse, and wanted to make them myself:</p> <p> <figure class="media"> <oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb29-ULRBaE"></oembed> </figure> </p> <p>The scripts can generate Sphericons based on polygons with straight edges, as well as more decorative ones with curvy edges. Unfortunately curvy Sphericons take very long to render in OpenSCAD.</p> <p>The Sphericon halves are joined with cylindrical pins, however they can also be joined with small Neodymium magnets.</p> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Wood Imitation</h3> <p>The objects in the photos were printed with wood filled PLA, color: light/natural. The filament was painted with a black marker, at regular intervals, to imitate growth rings.</p> <p>The printed objects were lightly sanded with 150 and 320 grit sand paper. Subsequently they were treated with dark colored wood polish, and wood oil.</p> <h3>3MF</h3> <p>The <code>3mf</code> files are sliced for a 0.6 mm nozzle diameter, 0.2 mm layer height, and wood filled PLA. No supports are necessary.</p> <h3>OpenSCAD</h3> <p>The <code>scad</code> files are a program for the CAD language <em>OpenSCAD</em>. They depend on each other. Together they are a program to generate Sphericons:</p> <ul> <li><p><code>sphericon.scad</code> contains the definition of the Sphericon itself and the various parameters for its shape. Only a subset are <em>module parameters</em> and can be varied on a print plate (in a generated series).</p> </li> <li><p><code>sphericon-print-plate.scad</code> contains definitions to arrange the parts of the Sphericon for 3D printing. It can also be used to print a single Sphericon.</p> </li> <li><p><code>sphericon-print-plate-curvy.scad</code> is just an example to show that curvy sphericons can be generated.</p> </li> <li><p><code>sphericon-print-plate-6p-1.scad</code>, <code>sphericon-print-plate-6p-2.scad</code> each contain the the parts for a series of Sphericons, arranged so that they can be printed on a 3D printer. I printed them on a <em>Prusa MK3S</em>.</p> </li> </ul>