I used your splendid and accurate BSS Horizontal Sundial design pdf but with a
couple of variations. I used a 6" square ceramic tile as the
dial plate, rather than 6mm MDF board, but the making of the gnomon may you
find more interesting. I drew the gnomon by using the
free Sketchup Make 3D modelling program, (which I have used for some time in
creating virtual dials), with the object of making it on a
3d printer.
I decided that it would be better to go to a service bureau rather buy a
printer myself, which would be expensive and maybe of
limited use. There are a number of bureaux in the UK but in the end I chose
Shapeways, a Dutch company who are helpful, who can make one-off
smallish items at relatively reasonable prices, within two weeks and in a
variety of materials from white, solid plastic to metals
from brass, steel, etc..
The method is straightforward, my Sketchup model file, at actual size, is
translated in STL format, a standard CAD software format.
and the file is uploaded into Shapeways' website. Shapeways checks that my
model can be printed without problems and quotes a price.
I then decide whether to go ahead.
I chose your plain gnomon in white Shapeway's Strong and Flexible Plastic
material but I could have used a more complex gnomon in
different colours or Here are my attachments, a photo of my BSS Horizontal
Sundial with the 3d printed gnomon and Shapeway's image
of my fancy gnomon model, should I want to replace the plain gnomon!
Sunny days,
Phil Walker
BSS Member
52° 45' 46"N
2° 22' 18"W
---------------------------------------------------
https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
