Portable Equatorial Sundial (remix)

Now that the snow is practically gone & one can enjoy hiking through the woods or park again, wouldn't it be cool to have an old fashion way of telling the time where ever you go without having to rely on a distracting phone? 

To learn more about equatorial sundials, how they work and how to setup, you can watch the following video:  How Equatorial Sundials Work

Differences of the remix compared to the original

• Strengthen the latch section & the two hinges on the top & bottom container lids, thus enabling the use of M2 screws & nuts;
• Removed the embossed text features on the relevant parts & replaced with 2-part designs for main parts with text. This results in completely flat surfaces with cleaner boundaries & a more finished look, especially when printed against a textured bed. The flat finish also eliminates any embossed text from being knocked-off or damaged, as was the case in the original design;
• Photo credits & Original Author:  Ben_Prints | Published - MakerWorld

Main Features

This sundial consists of the following components:

• Base: Holds all the other parts during use. It includes degree markings for adjusting the sundial from magnetic north to true north;
• Compass: Used to align the sundial to magnetic north;
• Circular Bubble Level: Ensures the sundial is level with the ground
• Angle Plate: Allows adjustment to the correct latitude for your location;
• Thumbscrews: Tighten the sundial to hold it securely at the correct latitude;
• Turning Plate: Rotates to adjust the sundial's direction from magnetic north to true north, using a pointer for precise alignment;
• Dial Plate Holder: Holds the two dial plates in position;
• Gnomon: The part that casts a shadow on the dial plate to indicate the time;
• Northern (Dial A) & Southern (Dial B) Hemisphere Dial Plates: Displays the hours of the day. The gnomon's shadow points to the time if the sundial is correctly set up and there’s sufficient sunlight;
• Container: A storage case for all the components, making the sundial portable;
• Cord: A pull cord to make it easier to retrieve parts from the container.

How to Use the Sundial

1. Open the container and retrieve the gnomon and angle plate from underneath the base by pulling the cord;
2. Assemble all the parts in their correct positions;
3. Set the latitude using the angle plate and thumbscrews. The latitude depends on your location on Earth. It’s easiest to do this by looking over the dial plate from eye level, and ensuring true north is set to 0 degrees;
4. Align the sundial with magnetic north using the compass, and level it with the circular bubble level;
5. Correct for magnetic declination by rotating the turning plate to align the sundial with true north. Magnetic declination varies depending on your location.

If everything is set up correctly, the gnomon’s shadow will point to the correct time on the dial plate when there’s sufficient sunlight.

NOTE: The gnomon should always point towards the TRUE CELESTIAL NORTH POLE; i.e. Polaris (North Star).

Tips for Reading the Time (watch the earlier linked video for details)

Keep the following factors in mind when reading the sundial:

• The season can affect how you interpret the time;
• Daylight saving time adjustments may apply;
• Time zones differ depending on your location;
• Solar time vs. standard time need to be accounted for, including any meridian time zone offsets;
• Equation of time - refer to the following for an explanation on the different types of time:  Heliochronometer - World's Most Accurate Sundial by 3DMason | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Materials and Printing

The original was printed in ABS black & white @ 0.2mm resolution.  Refer to the 3MF files if you prefer using different material or want to change any print settings.  

During the print process, objects are printed all together by assigning “virtual” extruders to each object in the slicer program & uses filament change G-code commands instead of tool changes.  This is essentially “tricking” the printer into thinking that it has multiple extruders.  This technique also allows one to change filament color for different areas of the print bed, including on the same layer, therefore, making it possible to print all objects in one print job.  It is also the preferred method if you don't own an MMU.  The results are no emboss or deboss on surfaces with text features, thus yielding perfectly flat surfaces with optimal print boundaries, quality & resolution. The flat finish also eliminates any embossed text from being knocked-off or damaged.

For best quality, print with text surface against bed.  For added surface features, use a textured PEI bed sheet.  Also, most slicer programs support custom print bed textures and models in both PNG and SVG formats.  If you are using PrusaSlicer, select:  Printers tab -> General -> Bed shape -> Set.  The procedure is described here:  Custom SVG and PNG bed textures | Prusa Knowledge Base

Additional Components

• Compass: Buy here
• Spirit Level: Buy here
• M4-18 Screws
• M4 Nuts
• M2-18 Screws (for hinges & latch)
• M2 Nuts (for hinges & latch)
• Cord: Use any thick cord, approximately 5mm in thickness.  A shoe lace works well.

Please leave a like or comment—it would mean a lot to me!  And if you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it!