Daily Equation #1 - y = a*sin(b*x)

This is Day 1 of my collection of printable equations. To see the whole collection, go to: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:227210

I thought I'd start off with a classic sin function. Two full periods shown.

Details:

• units are in mm and degrees
• a = 35, b = 72
• Range(x) = 0 to 100

I've always been interested in different ways to visualize and explore data. I thought it would be cool to try to print 3d representations of equations. The graphing libraries I could find weren't flexible enough for what I needed, so I wrote a Python program to take an equation and plot it in Openscad using the polygon command. The 3d equation is mounted on a stand that also displays the text form of the equation.

I'm going to post one equation per day until get bored or people lose interest. If there's a particular equation you'd like to see, leave a comment and I'll give it a shot.

Technical Note:

• The thickness in the y-direction is created by plotting a second curve whose points are a constant distance in the direction perpendicular to the tangent of the first curve. This can create artifacts at regions of rapidly changing slope. However, the lower or inner curve is always correct.

Instructions

All files can be printed without support. Photos shown were printed on a Replicator 2 and sliced using the standard setting on Makerware.

Category: Math