Cast Aluminium Sundial

Design Brief

Design and make a Sundial to suit your home location Latitude which can be sited outside permanently in your community.

Materials Available

The main component (i.e. the 'Dial Plate') must be Sand Cast from aluminium using a one-piece pattern. Minor components may be added from any available material (e.g. stainless steel rod or brass plate for Gnomon, fixing screws, coloured polyester resign to fill recesses shaped to show numbers, numerals, symbols, shapes, lines etc.).

Considerations

• Where will the Sundial be located - (e.g. on a flat surface, a wall, a post, as part of another structure)?
• How can the Sundial be made weatherproof?
• Will it need to be vandal resistant?
• How accurate will it need to be?
• What limitations will Sand Casting impose on the design?

Research

• Which way should a Sundial face - does it matter?
• Why does Latitude of location matter?
• What types of Sundial are available?
• How are Sundials calibrated?

Ideas

Design Development and Construction

Testing and Evaluation

• How accurate a timekeeper is it?
• Are members of your community pleased with it?
• Is it installed in the best place?
• Monitor over time and judge if it is affected by weather or vandalism.