Archimedes float scale — 3D-printable model preview

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Food preparation Simple

Archimedes float scale

Weigh letters, spices or coins by how deep a cup floats in a bowl of water

No batteries, no springs, just Archimedes: a floating cup sinks until it has pushed aside its own weight in water. Because this cup is exactly 40 x 40 mm, every gram you add sinks it 0.625 mm, so the lines on the side are 20 g apart. Float it in a jug, add rice as ballast until the water sits on the 0 line, then drop in a letter, a spoonful of yeast or a gold ring and read its weight where the waterline lands. Check it with coins of known weight first.

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Size: 40 × 40 × 75 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 1.6 mm
Volume: 3.1 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 3.8 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Food preparation
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 37 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 40 × 40 × 75 mm, with 1.6 mm walls
Raised text: “- 0 G”, “- 20”, “- 40”, “- 60”, “- 80”

How to print it

Float it in a jug of fresh water and add rice inside until the waterline sits on 0. Then each 20 g sinks it 12.5 mm to the next line.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 3.8 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $0.08 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the archimedes float scale model?

The archimedes float scale model measures 40 × 40 × 75 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Float it in a jug of fresh water and add rice inside until the waterline sits on 0. Then each 20 g sinks it 12.5 mm to the next line. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 3.8 g of PLA (3.1 cm³ printed solid), roughly $0.08 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

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Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the archimedes float scale model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model