Sphinx rep-tile nesting trays — 3D-printable model preview
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Sphinx rep-tile nesting trays

Fill one sphinx-shaped tray exactly with four smaller trays of the same shape

Very few shapes are rep-tiles, shapes that four copies of themselves can tile into a bigger copy of the same shape. The sphinx, six triangles in a lopsided trapezoid, is one of the strangest, found in the 1960s. Print one big tray and four half-size trays: the four small sphinxes fit perfectly inside the big one (turn two of them over), and each of those could in turn be filled with four even smaller ones, forever. A desk tray that doubles as a puzzle.

Size
205 × 118 × 18 mm
Shape
Custom outline
Walls
2.0 mm
Volume
41.3 cm³
Est. weight (PLA)
51.3 g
Parts to print
1
Made by
Krypto
Built in
4 steps

What’s in it

  • Custom outline, 205 × 118 × 18 mm, with 2.0 mm walls
  • Custom outline traced from a shape

How to print it

Print one at 205 mm and four at 100 mm (change the width); the four small trays tile the big one, two of them flipped over.

Prints as shown on its outline, no supports.

Filament: at most about 51.3 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $1.03 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 sphinx rep-tile nesting trays model?

The sphinx rep-tile nesting trays model measures 205 × 118 × 18 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 one at 205 mm and four at 100 mm (change the width); the four small trays tile the big one, two of them flipped over. Prints as shown on its outline, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 51.3 g of PLA (41.3 cm³ printed solid), roughly $1.03 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 sphinx rep-tile nesting trays model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

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