Run of Record v2
It’s been about 2 months since the ZeroPivot Protractor has been released on Printables, and the feedback I have received has been so valuable and heartwarming. In particular, I took 2 pieces of feedback from the community as my primary objective in this next version.
Caption: 2 pieces of valuable feedback in the comments, many thanks to these two commenters for kindly lending a hand to me on this journey!
The first comment mentioned my choice of using a “>>” configuration in my guide rail. I had given some thought to the suggested “/ \” configuration in the initial design of version 1.4, but I had tunnel-visioned so much on the “>>” that I had completely dismissed the much simpler solution. Looking at it 2 months later, the advantages seem obvious:
Less complex geometry leading to an easier print
Able to work with tighter tolerances
Built-in anti-smear edge
Better aesthetics
The second comment suggested a solution to an issue that I have been wrestling with since version 0.1—how can we design the arm such that it can measure angles that are both obtuse and acute? The current design can draw both types if the user uses the inside for acute and outside for obtuse. The problem comes when trying to measure an acute object, where it needs to fit inside the “pizza slice”, as the commenter put it.
Caption: Sketch demonstrating the issues with measuring an acute angle.
Drawing a correlation, the problem is that we lack the physical capability to infinitely shrink the slider and arm, just like how we weren’t able to shrink the pivot down to an infinitesimal size. The solution? Two arms to cover the entire span of 180°.
Version: 2.0
Summary: Internal guide rails in “\ /” configuration with a dual-armed design.
Main Benefit: Drastically better stability, and a procedure for the measuring and drawing of both obtuse and acute angles.
Main Deficit: The said procedure is extremely complex.
Potential Improvements: Develop a better marking system.
Notes:
Improved smoothness of the sliding mechanism.
Redetermined angles for the arm pointers, with reasonably round values.
The outside rim of the main body remains unstable without the slider retracted.
The inner arm has significantly less flexing but more play.
Plans to bring the inner arm further out to increase visibility of markings.
Caption: Full expansion of both arms showing the complex marking system.