Integrated Physics, Math & Chemistry Education

Physics Education Design Contest

3D-printing an oloid with special metal containing filament, students learn aspects of mathematical geometry, physical movement, and chemical reactions in an integrated project.

An oloid is a 3D shape formed by connecting two overlapping circles at right angles, and when rolled, every point on its surface touches the ground, allowing to exercise mathematical analyses at different levels.

An oloid has a smooth, curved surface with the smallest possible surface area for a shape enclosing a given volume, and it rolls smoothly in a unique wobbly motion while maintaining contact with the ground at all points of its surface, allowing for a range of physics experiments.

Using special real metal containing filament (bronze, copper, steel) from colorFabb students can learn about oxidization states of different metals by treating the oloids using vinegar-salt solutions.

To download and learn more about the geometrical object called of an oloid click here and here.

Printing with a high number of walls gives the oloid a realistic metal feeling and also allows for advanced polishing (I used up to grit 10,000).

bronze oloid	copper oloid	steel oloid

Links to colorFabb metal filaments

Design by KS on MakerWorld (license: BY-SA).