Solargraph sun-trail camera — 3D-printable model preview
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Photography & film Multi-part assembly

Solargraph sun-trail camera

Record six months of the sun's path on one sheet of photo paper

A camera with a six-month exposure. In a dark room, curl a sheet of ordinary photographic paper round the inside of the back wall, close the lid and tape it. Strap the box to a post or railing facing the sun (south in the northern hemisphere) and leave it from one solstice to the next. When you open it, do not develop the paper: scan it. Every sunny day has burned its own arc across the sky, with the gaps showing the cloudy days, over a ghostly image of the view.

Size
72 × 72 × 100 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Walls
2.4 mm
Volume
39.3 cm³
Est. weight (PLA)
48.7 g
Parts to print
2
Made by
Krypto
Built in
36 steps

What’s in it

  • Rectangular, 72 × 72 × 100 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
  • 3 holes in the walls
  • Raised text: “SUN”
  • Telescoping lid (prints separately)

How to print it

Print in black PLA. Tape a square of kitchen foil with a needle hole over the 6 mm hole, and tape the lid shut.

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

Filament: at most about 48.7 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $0.97 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 solargraph sun-trail camera model?

The solargraph sun-trail camera model measures 72 × 72 × 100 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Print in black PLA. Tape a square of kitchen foil with a needle hole over the 6 mm hole, and tape the lid shut. 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 48.7 g of PLA (39.3 cm³ printed solid), roughly $0.97 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 solargraph sun-trail camera model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

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