OpenSCAD Crystal Structure Project

▼This page was created as part of the 2017 Aalto University course L3999 3D Printing of Open Source Hardware for Science.It's open edit now, so feel free to improve it.

Crystal structure models are used by material science professors to help explain how structure influences properties of various materials. Some models come in self assembly kits like the molymod line [1] or molecular model company [2] that range 20-40 Euros, but more detailed models can run hundreds of Euros [3]. Some can even be thousands of euros - particularly for large scale or complex models. Ideally, anyone interested in material science could print these structures in any size or format for a few pennies.

Your project: develop an OpenSCAD script to make a 3-D printable model of the crystal structure most relevant to your research: Due Date March 13, 2018

1. Choose structure useful for you, check on past attempts http://www.yeggi.com/
2. Look it up- lay out geometry
3. Make parametric SCAD model with OpenSCAD
4. Differentiate atoms in some way (e.g. color)
5. Select part and wire model (e.g. straws, stir sticks, filament, etc.) or print solid with fasteners (e.g. snap fit)
6. Ensure reasonably flat base
7. Realistic sizing- e.g. use scaling – make sure atoms are appropriately scaled to one another
8. At least 1 unit cell
9. Register with a free account at NIH 3D Print Exchange https://3dprint.nih.gov/
10. Post SCAD and STL at NIH 3D Print Exchange https://3dprint.nih.gov/
11. Print Full Color Model at FabLab on FFF 3-D printers and bring to class (Tape your name-write your name on it)
12. Add a photo of your print with a link to your models in the gallery on the Appropedia assignment page below

• 
  NaCl Crystal
• 
  Stishovite Unit Cell
• 
  Austenite
• 
  Diamond
• 
  Caffeine
• 
  Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN)
• 
  Formaldehyde
• 
  NiCdO
• 
  C2H4
• 
  Capsaicin C18H27NO3
• 
  Polylactic Acid monomer (C3H4O2)n
• 
  ICE (H2O)
• 
  Graphene

• 
  Trimethylaluminum
• 
  H2O ice
• 
  Graphite sheet
• 
  zeolite LTA
• 
  Spinel crystal structure v2
• 
  Silicon Carbide 2H unit cell
• 
  Faujasite unit cell
• 
  Perovskite
• 
  Wurtzite
• 
  Alpha Quartz
• 
  Pyrite crystal structure
• 
  Diamond
• 
  Sodium Chloride
• 
  Rutile crystal
• 
  Sphalerite unit cell
• 
  Model building kit for tetrahedrally bonded diatomic crystals
• 
  Fluorite
• 
  SiC

Tools for modelling molecules for 3D Printing

• Aluminum Gallium Arsenide
• Beryl
• Calcite
• Cesium Chloride
• Diamond
• Flurite
• Graphite Sheet
• Graphite
• Ice
• Lithium Niobate
• Methane Hydrate Clathrate
• Multiple - Crystal Model Kits
• Nickle Arsenide
• Sodium Chloride
• Sphalerite
• Spinel
• Inverse Spinel
• Quartz
• Rutile
• Pervskite
• Lead Sulfide
• Faujasite
• Zeolite LTA
• Zeolite LTL
• Wurtzite
• Silicone Carbide Alpha
• Silicone Carbide Beta
• Skutterudite
• Corundum
• Pyrite
• Seven Basic Unit Cell Model Kit
• Fe-Ferrum