St. Louis Gateway Arch scale model

I created this as a sort of moonshot project idea after getting my first 3D printer. My goal was to create a scale model of the Gateway Arch by using the same engineering drawings and plans as the original, using Autodesk Fusion as the design tool.

The model is assembled much like the actual Arch monument, where the assembled cross-sections were raised into place and welded one by one, stacked atop each other and joined in the middle. This model simplifies the assembly largely by creating cross sections that are already assembled, whereas the actual Arch is built from stainless steel plates that were assembled.

Some notes about printing:

• Triangles are notoriously strong, especially during cooling, which means as the model for a given cross-section cools, the corners of the triangles will want to lift from the plate. After much experimentation I found that the only print surface capable of printing the sections without warping was glass.
• The sections were printed flat. The example STEP file does not have the sections rotated to a good printing orientation. For best results, use your slicing tool to place on the bottom face of each piece such that the section number on the interior wall is face up.
• If attempting at the same scale, I recommend patience. All told this project took several years to complete. It was a lot of fun, and not terribly expensive, but mostly a labor of love.
• The model will have to be glued. I used silicone adhesive.
• The bottom sections will not be flat to the ground, and therefore the model must be supported by feet or some kind of base. I've included a set of basic feet that I designed. Try these or design something more to your liking.

The script I wrote to generate the geometry can be found on my GitHub here.

https://github.com/mhitchens/gateway-arch-scale-model