Salt-dance sound visualiser — 3D-printable model preview

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Music & audio Simple

Salt-dance sound visualiser

Watch salt jump into patterns on a membrane over a phone speaker

Sound is invisible until you give it something to move. Slide a phone in through the slot, stretch cling film tight over the top like a drum skin and sprinkle on a little salt. Play a tone-generator app and sweep slowly from 100 to 600 Hz: at certain notes the salt suddenly leaps into rings, stars and grids as the membrane vibrates in sections, and between them it goes still. These are the patterns, called cymatics, that Ernst Chladni showed with a violin bow in 1787.

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Size: 120 × 120 × 70 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 38.6 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 47.8 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Music & audio
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 23 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 120 × 120 × 70 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
1 hole in the walls
Raised text: “PLAY A TONE”

How to print it

Slide the phone in face up through the slot, stretch cling film drum-tight over the top and sprinkle a pinch of salt on it.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 47.8 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $0.96 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 salt-dance sound visualiser model?

The salt-dance sound visualiser model measures 120 × 120 × 70 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Slide the phone in face up through the slot, stretch cling film drum-tight over the top and sprinkle a pinch of salt on it. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 47.8 g of PLA (38.6 cm³ printed solid), roughly $0.96 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 salt-dance sound visualiser model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model