13th Century Magic Square 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-SA
File formats: stl
Download type: zip
Size:237.3KB

The file '13th Century Magic Square 3D Printer Model' is (stl) file type, size is 237.3KB.

Summary

I created this simulation of a 13th century tablet from a photograph I took in Xian, China. It's a 3D print of a 6x6 magic square made with bronze infused steel (I printed it in PLA at home first to see what it would be like, then I sent the model off to Shapeways). Interestingly, the numerals are Hindu-Arabic. This was probably the peak of mathematical technology at the time. They found it buried at the base of a palace - probably as a magical of talisman.

I've also shared the original photo. I used photoshop to increase the contrast, clean up the noise, and rectify the image. Then exported that as a jpg, and sent it to a website that transformed it into a vector file (.svg). Then I imported it into tinkercad and extruded it and added a bottom plate, chamfered the edges and exported it as a .stl file. The .stl file is what you use to print it.

When I printed it in PLA - it was difficult to get a non-warped print - but with some fussing you should be able to manage it. I expect it will print better with ABS and a heated plate. The other photo shows the object printed through Shapeways - in bronze infused steel. I'm pleased with that - but it cost more $100 to print.

Can you figure out which of these old numerals match with our current numerals. Hints:
the magic number 111 (rows, columns and diagonals)
the 9 is nine
the 0 is zero
the V is not five...

8cm-6x6-magic-square-xian.stl 852.0KB