DISCOVER AND BUILD OUR SOLAR SYSTEM WITH THIS 3D-PRINTED MODEL!

Solar system model in scale 1 : 1'188'500'000 "Skewer" version

Main features:

• Contents: 15 parts including all 8 planets of the Solar System + Pluto + 7 major moons (Moon included)
• Model LINEAR SCALE: 1 : 1'188'500'000 for all parts ensuring accurate representation without excessive material usage (Linear and realistic scale model, not strange and unreal logarithmic scale as many other models!)
• Data source for the model: official NASA's Planetary data
• The model is ideal for: educational and school projects, astronomy enthusiasts and space lovers, educational purposes, astronomy lessons, gift, DIY projects, space-themed bedroom or living room decoration.
• Method of display and assembly: suitable for display with planets on skewers (model style as styrofoam balls)

Model contents in details

The model contains the 8 planets of the Solar System + Pluto + 7 major moons. All bodies are at a linear scale of 1 : 1'188'500'000 in the form of separated STL files + 3MF print profile file, in detail this set includes:

• Mercury
• Venus
• Earth (1.07 cm, 0.42 inch ∅ diameter)
  • Moon
• Mars
• Jupiter (largest object to print, 12.03 cm, 4.73 inch ∅ diameter)
  • Ganymede
  • Callisto
  • Europa
  • Io
• Saturn
  • Titan
• Uranus
• Neptune
  • Triton
• Pluto (smallest object to print, 2 mm, 0.078 inch ∅ diameter)

Model assembly

With convenient assembly, simply place the planets on a base using a 3-mm diameter wood skewer or similar and put planets onto a skewer using the hole provided or glue them on top.

Additionally, these model pieces can be arranged to reflect the order of the planets and their relative distances, providing a dimensional and spatially accurate representation.
 

Description of parts

The larger model pieces, provided with a central hole for the skewer, can be 3D printed in two hemispheres. This facilitates printing and allows the structure of the Saturn and Uranus rings to be threaded between the two halves.

In the smaller pieces of the model, which cannot be threaded onto the skewer and are much smaller in size than the skewer, the pointed end tip of the skewer is already part of the piece itself; they should be glued on top of a skewer without a tip.

Model coloring + texturing 🖌️

Enhance the realism of the moons and planets with acrylic colors. With the planets held securely in place by the skewer, you can easily add texture and detail following references from the web, achieving a more lifelike appearance.

Suggested website link:

• High resolution textures of the planets in 2D: https://www.solarsystemscope.com/textures/ (free and highly recommended)
• NASA JPL images: https://space.jpl.nasa.gov/tmaps/ 
• Planetarium and sky map: https://stellarium.org/

Add Saturn and Uranus' iconic rings

To add Saturn and Uranus' iconic rings between the two halves, you can create them using either cardstock or by laminating a printed image onto paper to create a transparency effects.
This simple yet effective technique allows you to replicate the distinctive rings with ease, enhancing the overall authenticity of your Solar System model. It also provides good transparency of certain areas of the rings allowing you to see through the planet.

➡️Alternatively for Saturn, you can  download HERE the extended version of the model which includes Saturn's rings in 3D with the A, B, C, D and F rings, gaps and Cassini division to be inserted in the middle of the two halves.

EXTENDED VERSION WITH EXTRA PARTS AND MODEL DATA

The extended version completes the model and provides the data used and the dimensions of the model itself.

What's more in the extended version:

• Saturn rings A, B, C, D and F divisions in relief, gaps and Cassini division to be inserted into the two halves of Saturn
• Real and scaled dimensions of all elements in metric and imperial of the planets' and distances from the sun
• Editable Excell spreadsheet to calculate your own custom scale for planet distances

The extended version can be downloaded at the following link:

 https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/model-in-scale-of-the-solar-system-on-a-skewer 👈

Genesis of the project

This model uses the principle of models made from Styrofoam spheres, as they could not be found in the right diameter they were designed to be 3D printed accurately. As I could not find models that also included some moons, I added those as well.

This is an original project designed and developed by me.

Adding the Sun

The Sun isn't included in the model because it would need to be too large to scale 117 cm (46,063 inches) in diameter. Instead, you can use a large sphere, a large fitness ball or an LED lamp to represent it.

STRENGTHS AND ADVANTAGES

Understanding the dimensions of space with a scale model you can make with your own hands, which you can touch, is definitely an interesting educational experience and really allows you to see with your own eyes what is around us in the universe.

In many Solar System models you will find on the internet many models do not have all the planets at the same scale providing a distorted view of reality. This model, on the other hand, has only one scale and the data is verified. 

Furthermore, this model is geared towards practical use as it does not just contain simple spheres but pieces that have holes and supports for assembly, making the pieces ready to use, only to be coloured and positioned without the need to drill holes.

Few similar models give importance to moons when building a model of the solar system. They only make the planets and the Moon. Moons are very important and give a more complete view. 

This model can be combined with…

This model can be combined with this model to have in one piece the dimensions of all the planets to scale. The scale used is the same as the model and perfectly compatible. This pattern is suitable for creating the model with modelling paste or clay using it as a reference for the spheres to be created or as a “summary” piece of solar system dimensions.

Discover and download the model here on MakerWorld:
➡️ https://makerworld.com/en/models/697460#profileId-626479

3D PRINTING SETTINGS

Material
White PLA filament is recommended; it is better to paint or otherwise use a filament color similar to that of the planet to be made so that you have a base color already in place.

Indication for Mercury, Mars, Moon, Pluto and other moons:
Printing height: 0.08-0.1 mm (keep minimum as possible)
Fill percentage: 80-100%
Brims: YES
Support: NO

Indication for Venus, Earth, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune:
Printing height: 0.08-0.2 mm
Fill percentage: 2-5% grid pattern
Slicing: slice in 2 equal parts the spheres
Support: NO, if sliced in 2 parts

      ℹ️More details about the model slice: see the model print profile. 

      📌I recommend using my included print profile with the suggested settings.

Important notes⚠️

• Use a smooth plate to have an inconspicuous joint of the two hemispheres
• Use a reduced printing speed to achieve better results and avoid printing imperfections due to inaccuracies at high speed. I recommend printing at 50% speed. This increases the printing time but the result is better and more accurate.
• If you experience problems printing with Pluto or the Moon or other small parts, consider trying to print these small parts without operating the printer's aux fan, which I've noticed sometimes if it blows too much it flexes the small parts during printing and creates strands of material!
• Read the READ ME FILE in the section below with the documentation before printing!
• I remind you to respect the directions of the model licence regarding the use and permissions for use of the model!

Tests and parameters used for printing

All result in the images printed with white PLA basic filament with printer Bambulab P1S, 0.4 nozzle, Cool Plate / PLA Plate, 50% speed, AUX fan OFF.

HEY! If you have downloaded the model, or like the idea, let me know by liking, boosting me or writing a comment! 

I welcome comments and model feedback that will help improve the functionality and quality of the model.
If you are dissatisfied, rather than removing likes and rating the model or print profile poorly, please write a comment first to let me know what problems you have encountered, how you would solve them, or how you would improve the model in general with constructive criticism, feedback, and exchange of ideas. 

Let me know how you used the model and what you achieved.
I will be happy to respond to your feedback and comments for future improvements.

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME! ❤️Thank you very much!