Hyperbolic Paraboloid Chip

Hungry? Well, you can't eat these, but they certainly look good.

I made these for lessons with my multivariable calculus students. Modeled after the shape of Pringles, I used Wolfram Mathematica to create a hyperbolic paraboloid with an elliptic boundary. They are not an exact match, but I'm pleased with the results and it's fun using equations that we study in class.

For years I've been thinking about printing these, but was daunted by the supports that would be needed. However, when chatting with my students this year, we came up with a solution for printing them on the side and close enough to share supports. See photos.

Container and lid models also included.

Among the STL files are a single chip and grouped sets of 5 and 10 already rotated on the side. The chips within these stacks are 2 mm apart. I printed the 10 and 5 stacks together for 15, as shown in the photos.

If you like mathematical surfaces for 3D printing, be sure to check out my other models.

• Hyperbolic Paraboloid
• Quadric Surfaces Set
• And many more

Single chip model (in original horizontal rotation) is approximately 42 x 64 x 20 mm. I printed them rotated (as described above and in photos), with 0.2 mm layer height and 3 perimeters. Infill didn't matter since the three perimeters made them solid.

Note: I raised the models up 1 mm to be above the print bed so there would be supports under the entire model. I used a maximum overhang angle setting of 40 degrees for the supports.

Container is 80 mm tall. I can fit 35 chips inside. Rescale in the z-direction if you want it to hold more! Or less. I printed the container and the lid in vase mode with clear PLA.