Parametric Angle Gauge (CadQuery Customizable)

This angle gauge is parametric so that the measurement angle and size of the gauge can be modified. The angle text (in degrees) is imprinted in the side opposite the angle, and should always be visible when being used to check an angle. The angle text should not be face down on the table while checking an angle.

The angle gauge script was designed using CadQuery, which is a Python module for creating CAD models. The original source code file is included and has a few parameters that are of interest (explained in the Parameters section below). The CQ-editor IDE for CadQuery was used to develop this gauge.

Samples were printed on a Prusa i3 Mk2 with a 0.4mm nozzle.

Several common angles have been exported to STL already and are included in the Files tab.

Print Settings

• Layer Height: 0.15
• Brim: Yes
• Supports: No
• Material: PETG (PLA or others should work fine as well)

Parameters

• angle - The angle this gauge is meant to check/measure. This gauge is not meant for high accuracy measurement. The precision of the angle will vary based on your printer and how its axes are aligned.
• angle_length - Length of the hypotenuse of the angle gauge. Sets the overall size of the gauge triangle.
• thickness - How thick the gauge is. Setting this too low will not leave enough room for the embedded angle text, and may make it harder to get the gauge to stand up during use.
• corner_type - Sets whether or not the corners should be broken or left sharp (set the parameter to “sharp”). The two options that break the corners are a 1 mm chamfer (set parameter to “chamfer”), or a 1 mm diameter fillet (set the parameter to “round”).
• show_text - Sets whether or not to embed the angle text in the opposite side of the triangle from the gauge angle. It is not recommended to disable the angle text, but the setting is required for very small angles when the text will not fit.

Customization

This model can be customized by opening the script in CQ-editor, the widely-used IDE for CadQuery. Change the parameters explained above and execute the script. You can un-comment the export line towards the bottom of the script to export your customized gauge to STL.

Alternatives

If you are an OpenSCAD user, there is a similar parametric angle gauge from a different maker that uses that software. That model is not affiliated with this one.