The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups

The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups

thingiverse

Models of all 32 Crystal Classes (= crystallographic point groups) for teaching or practice, with spoiler-free, randomized file names. Print as pre-oriented. I used known faces of typical minerals (e.g. diamond and calcite) or small molecule compounds (e.g. tartaric acid and AgI) where possible. For a few groups I could not find documented examples and had to freestyle. There are 33 files, because one example exists in D- and L-configuration (I didn't bother to do that for all chiral symmetries - you can just mirror the models). The pdf is just a printable A4 game board to help with sorting. Add color changes for extra fun - but beware that it becomes nearly impossible for students to figure out ;-) Some notes because people have asked: - There is one example per point group, but for each there is an infinite number of possible shapes. - I'm not claiming that all these shapes occur in the form of real crystals (some obviously do because I took them from books or fotos). - The difficulty level when used as a practical exercise is rather hard. - A real crystal cannot violate the point group associated with its crystal structure. It can have a higher-symmetry point group in the same branch, though. - This set was specifically designed "only" as a point group symmetry exercise, and I am not aware if something similar already exists. I would otherwise have used an existing kit, because I am a lazy person. It is definitely not designed to learn anything about crystal morphology in mineralogy, and I do not advise trying that.

Download Model from thingiverse

With this file you will be able to print The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups with your 3D printer. Click on the button and save the file on your computer to work, edit or customize your design. You can also find more 3D designs for printers on The 32 Crystallographic Point Groups.