3D Printing Course for Blind and Visually Impaired Learners

// Module Design Pattern Template // Demonstrates best practices for organizing code with reusable modules // Modules promote code reuse, clarity, and maintainability

// ============================================ // CONFIGURATION SECTION // ============================================

$fn = 32;

// Component dimensions connector_diameter = 8; connector_length = 15; connector_wall = 1.5;

base_size = 50; base_height = 5;

// ============================================ // UTILITY MODULES (General Purpose) // ============================================

// Create a hollow cylinder (tube/connector) module hollow_cylinder(od, id, height) { difference() { cylinder(h = height, d = od, center = true); cylinder(h = height + 1, d = id, center = true); } }

// Create a flat base/mounting plate module flat_base(size, thickness) { cube([size, size, thickness], center = true); }

// Create corner supports for strengthening module corner_support(size, height) { linear_extrude(height = height, center = true) polygon(points = [[0, 0], [size, 0], [0, size]]); }

// ============================================ // SPECIFIC COMPONENT MODULES // ============================================

// Connector with internal thread pattern (for joining parts) module connector_with_threads(od, id, length, threads) { difference() { // Main connector body cylinder(h = length, d = od, center = true);

    // Hollow core
    cylinder(h = length + 1, d = id, center = true);
    
    // Thread pattern (decorative/functional grooves)
    for (i = [0 : threads - 1]) {
        rotate([0, 0, (360 / threads) * i])
            translate([od/2 - 0.5, 0, 0])
                cube([1, 0.5, length + 1], center = true);
    }
}

}

// Joint/coupling to connect two parts module coupling_joint(connector_od, connector_id, couple_length) { cylinder(h = couple_length, d = connector_od, center = true); }

// Base with mounting holes module base_with_holes(size, thickness, hole_diameter, hole_spacing) { difference() { // Solid base flat_base(size, thickness);

    // Subtract mounting holes
    for (x = [-hole_spacing/2, hole_spacing/2]) {
        for (y = [-hole_spacing/2, hole_spacing/2]) {
            translate([x, y, 0])
                cylinder(h = thickness + 1, d = hole_diameter, center = true);
        }
    }
}

}

// ============================================ // ASSEMBLY MODULES (Combine Components) // ============================================

// Basic assembly: base + connector module simple_connector_assembly(base_sz, base_h, conn_od, conn_id, conn_len) { // Base plate flat_base(base_sz, base_h);

// Connector mounted vertically
translate([0, 0, base_h/2 + conn_len/2])
    hollow_cylinder(conn_od, conn_id, conn_len);

}

// Complex assembly with multiple connectors module multi_connector_assembly(base_sz, base_h, spacing) { // Central base base_with_holes(base_sz, base_h, 2, spacing * 0.8);

// Mounted connectors at four corners
for (x = [-spacing/2, spacing/2]) {
    for (y = [-spacing/2, spacing/2]) {
        translate([x, y, base_h/2 + connector_length/2])
            connector_with_threads(connector_diameter, 
                                  connector_diameter - 2*connector_wall, 
                                  connector_length, 
                                  6);
    }
}

}

// ============================================ // OUTPUT SECTION // ============================================

// Choose which assembly to render:

// Option 1: Simple assembly // simple_connector_assembly(base_size, base_height, // connector_diameter, // connector_diameter - 2*connector_wall, // connector_length);

// Option 2: Multi-connector assembly multi_connector_assembly(base_size, base_height, base_size * 0.7);

// ============================================ // MODULE DESIGN BEST PRACTICES // ============================================ // 1. Utility Modules: General-purpose shapes // - Reusable across many projects // - Keep parameters generic // // 2. Component Modules: Specific parts // - Build on utility modules // - Include feature-specific logic // // 3. Assembly Modules: Combine components // - Use positioning and transforms // - Organize parts spatially // // 4. Naming Conventions: // - Use descriptive names (hollow_cylinder, not hc) // - Prefix related modules (base_, connector_) // // 5. Parameter Guidelines: // - Put adjustable values at top // - Use meaningful default values // - Document parameter purposes // // 6. Code Organization: // - Group related modules // - Start with utilities, end with assemblies // - Use comments to separate sections