Raindrop-size flour tray — 3D-printable model preview

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Science & education Multi-part assembly

Raindrop-size flour tray

Measure the size of raindrops by catching them in flour

In 1898, the snowflake photographer Wilson Bentley measured raindrops by catching them in flour: each drop rolls itself into a little dough pellet the same size as the drop. Take the lid off in the rain for a few seconds, cover it again, and let the pellets dry for an hour. Sift them out and drop each through the gauge holes beside the tray, from 2 to 7 mm. Drizzle makes tiny pellets, a summer storm makes big ones, and you can compare showers through the year.

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Size (Base A): 180 × 120 × 20 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 141 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 175 g
Parts to print: 2
Category: Science & education
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 52 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 180 × 120 × 20 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
6 holes in the floor
Raised text: “RAIN”
Telescoping lid (prints separately)
One more base built on (Base B)
Base B: rectangular, 40 × 120 mm, 8 mm tall (beside)

How to print it

Fill with sifted plain flour 1 cm deep. Expose it to the rain for 2-3 seconds only, then put the lid back on.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports. The lid prints as a separate part, top down.

Filament: at most about 175 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $3.50 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 raindrop-size flour tray model?

The raindrop-size flour tray model measures 180 × 120 × 20 mm (width × depth × height). That is Base A; one more base is built on. You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Fill with sifted plain flour 1 cm deep. Expose it to the rain for 2-3 seconds only, then put the lid back on. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports. The lid prints as a separate part, top down.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 175 g of PLA (141 cm³ printed solid), roughly $3.50 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

How many parts does it print as?

2 parts. The download lays each part flat in its best print position: Download STL gives one file per part, Download 3MF puts them all on one plate.

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 raindrop-size flour tray model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model