▼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 or molecular model company that range 20-40 Euros, but more detailed models can run hundreds of Euros . 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

Steps

  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

Guides

Tools for modelling molecules for 3D Printing

List of Crystal Structures to Target

Page data
Keywords 3D printing, crystal models
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English ()
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Created September 22, 2017 by Joshua M. Pearce
Last edit March 2, 2026 by Felipe Schenone
Cite as "OpenSCAD Crystal Structure Project". Appropedia. 2017–2026. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
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