Parametric Magic Wand

Wish you had a snakey, spiral-ly magic wand? Here's your chance!

Aside from that, this is an experiment in using OpenSCAD's linear_extrude function, twisting and extruding a circle to form a cool magic rod. I then use the same technique to make screws and screw holes, allowing me to make a long magic wand. This technique of making screws and nuts is pretty simple to code and looks like it'll work well. Note that the screws and holes are pointed, so that the holes can print with 45 degree slopes inside (i.e. so no bridging).

The way the sphere fits onto the head of the wand also looks pretty nifty, if I say so myself.

I haven't printed it yet. (Waiting for Replicator....). When I print one, I'll update here.

Instructions

You can print the STL as-is, scaled to fit your printer, screw the parts together, and have a five segment magic wand. If you have 'glow in the dark' filament, that would probably be ideal.

Play around with the parameters to generate wands of different sizes. In particular:

h = height of a rod segment

cr = radius of the circle that forms the rod

w = distance of 'wiggle' in the rod, 2 is subtle, 10 is wacky (and might generate angles over 45 degrees)

nw = number of 'wiggles' in each rod segment

gap = the distance between each screw and the hole in the next rod segment

spacing = the spacing between rod segments arranged in a row and 'plated'. If you make the rod very wide, you will need to increase the spacing as well.

c = 'crossiness'. 0 = spiral, 1 = spiral and counter-spiral, 2 = four spirals, forms cross pattern.

Uncomment 'stacked()' and comment 'plated()' to view the rod as it would assemble. Switch back to print.

If you want more rod segments, add more mid() statements into 'plated' until you have as many as you like. Don't forget to translate them so that they don't overlap with other rod segments.

Category: Toys & Games