TotBlocks

TotBlocks are a series of building blocks which can be used to construct the crystal structures of micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles, and other clay minerals. Source code, documentation, and support can be found here: https://github.com/derekdvleung/totblocks.

Printing instructions

The *.3mf files provided here are meant to be used for PrusaSlicer on a Prusa i3 MK3S printer. In particular, the files for the O modules (oblock) include support enforcers which may not be read properly by other slicing software! If using a different slicer, consider downloading the *.stl files from the GitHub repository. Use these settings at your own risk!

Layer height: 0.2-0.3 mm. 

Brims are not recommended because these may be interfere with the pegs and slots. Instead, use a slow (5-20 mm/s) first layer speed.

Supports

O modules: support enforcers only in PrusaSlicer (automatic supports in Cura seem to work ok)

Single octahedra: I usually print these without supports, but using supports should work as well. 

T modules: no supports

Vertical pegs: supports everywhere

Bill of materials

Starter set (can be used to build most of the structures)

• 4× oblock-m2-plus
• 4× tblock-n1-plus
• 4× tblock-n1-minus
• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus
• 4× single-octahedron
• 4× single-octahedron-clips
• 2× mica-connector (or the other connectors, depending on if the others should be printed)

Additional blocks beyond the starter set are needed to build the orthopyroxene, protopyroxene, [clinojimthompsonite,] chesterite, sepiolite, and kalifersite structures.

Mica group (2:1 phyllosilicates)

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus
• 2× single-octahedron
• 2× single-octahedron-clips
• 2× mica-connector

Pyroxene group

Clinopyroxene

• 4× oblock-m2-plus
• 4× tblock-n1-plus
• 4× tblock-n1-minus

Orthopyroxene

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× oblock-m5-minus
• 8× tblock-n2-plus
• 8× tblock-n2-minus

Protopyroxene

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× oblock-m5-minus
• 8× tblock-n2-plus
• 8× tblock-n2-minus

Amphibole supergroup

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus

Clinojimthompsonite

• 4× oblock-m8-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-minus

Chesterite

• 2× oblock-m5-plus
• 2× oblock-m5-minus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus
• 2× oblock-m8-plus
• 2× oblock-m8-minus
• 4× tblock-n3-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-minus

Palygorskite group

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus

Sepiolite group

• 2× oblock-m8-plus
• 2× oblock-m8-minus
• 4× tblock-n3-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-minus

Kalifersite

• 4× oblock-m3-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus
• 4× oblock-m6-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-plus
• 4× tblock-n3-minus

Brucite group

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 2× single-octahedron
• 2× single-octahedron-clips
• 4× brucite-connector

Lizardite (kaolinite-serpentine group)

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 2× single-octahedron
• 2× single-octahedron-clips
• 4× lizardite-connector

Chlorite group

• 4× oblock-m5-plus
• 2× oblock-m5-minus
• 4× tblock-n2-plus
• 4× tblock-n2-minus
• 3× single-octahedron
• 3× single-octahedron-clips
• 4× chlorite-connector