Moon Phases Tactile Graphic

Simple tactile graphic of the moon phases. When scaled to a larger size, the texture of the lunar surface is quite nice to explore. These graphics were created by converting a gray scale image into a 3D model. I found that the gray scale conversion alone produced sloping lunar phases that were distracting. I created a new model that corrected the slope to clearly show each stage of the lunar cycle. This model works well in a large or small scale.

Print Settings

Notes:

I printed these models vertically to give the lunar surface a smoother texture with a bit more detail. I used a .32mm layer height with a .6mm nozzle for the large print. You can choose any layer height yo like. When scaling these models, I scaled only the X and Y dimensions and kept the Z dimension at its original size. These were printed without supports. If printing the model upright, I recommend using a raft to help anchor the print to the bed. Printing these thin graphics upright did contribute to some printing artifacts on the model. These can be resolved with some printer adjustments, and in my copies, they did not distract from the tactile experience.

Category: Physics & Astronomy