Mathematics of Floating 3D Printed Objects

Abstract

We explore the stability of floating objects through mathematical modeling and experimentation. Our models are based on standard ideas of center of gravity, center of buoyancy, and Archimedes' Principle. We investigate a variety of floating shapes with two-dimensional cross sections and identify analytically and/or computationally a potential energy landscape that helps identify stable and unstable floating orientations. We compare our analyses and computations to experiments on floating objects designed and created through 3D printing. In addition to our results, we provide code for testing the floating configurations for new shapes, as well as giving details of the methods for 3D printing the objects. The paper includes conjectures and open problems for further study.