DUNE WEAVER: A KINETIC SAND TABLE THAT DRAWS ITSELF
A magnet drags a ball through sand to trace endless hypnotic patterns — 3D-printable, hundreds of built-in designs, IKEA-furniture enclosures.
Kinetic-art3D-printing
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- a weekend or two
- license
- GPL-3.0 / commercial
- repo
- repo ACTIVE363 stars
●●●○○ · a weekend or two · GPL-3.0 / commercial · 363 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
Dune Weaver is the calm, hypnotic build — a magnet under a bed of sand drags a steel ball to trace endless flowing patterns, and it's genuinely lovely to watch. It's also very approachable: mostly 3D-printed, with hundreds of built-in patterns, a slick web app, and enclosures designed around inexpensive IKEA furniture. The clever bit is that each pattern is stored in normalized polar coordinates, so the same design works on any table size. Know how it's organized before you start: the GitHub repo is the software (backend, web UI, pattern engine), while the printable STL parts are on MakerWorld and the BOM and wiring are on duneweaver.com/docs, with firmware handled by FluidNC. For a satisfying, affordable kinetic-art centerpiece, it's a standout.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —The GitHub repo is the software — a Python backend, a web UI, pattern-to-G-code and a library of hundreds of patterns
- —The printable STL parts are on MakerWorld; the BOM and wiring are on duneweaver.com/docs
- —Firmware is external (FluidNC); it runs on a Raspberry Pi + ESP32 controller and two stepper motors
- —Dual-licensed GPL-3.0 + commercial
Can I build this?
Very strong magnets — keep away from pacemakers, cards and fingers.
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterHeyGears G1: 10M+ colors and transparent parts in one print, plus UV printing on flat objects. Figures, parts and labels — no painting.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the docs (build guides, BOM, wiring)
- 2.Get the STL (DW OG (or DW Mini))
- 3.Get the software (backend + web UI + patterns)
- 4.Flash FluidNC (the motion firmware)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
- Dune Weaver — documentation & build guides duneweaver.comNo verified video — the docs are the reference.
- STL on MakerWorld makerworld.com
KNOWN ISSUES
- The GitHub repo is the software — the printable STL are on MakerWorld and the BOM/wiring are on duneweaver.com/docs
- Firmware is external (FluidNC) — it's not in the app repo
- A magnet lives under the table — keep magnetic cards and sensitive electronics away
How does it draw?
A magnet on a moving arm under the table drags a steel ball through the sand, tracing patterns. A library of hundreds of designs ships with the software.
Does a pattern work on any size table?
Yes — patterns are stored in normalized polar coordinates, so the same file works on a small or large table.
Where are the printable parts?
On MakerWorld (DW and DW Mini). The GitHub repo is the software; the BOM and wiring live on duneweaver.com/docs.
What does it cost?
Band $$ — a Raspberry Pi, an ESP32 and two steppers. The docs have current prices.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
Dune Weaver is designed to hide inside IKEA furniture. Which piece would you sacrifice to a sand-drawing robot — and would you tell guests what's inside?
You can build a wall of 80 steel balls that float and ripple like liquid metal
●●●●● · a grander (and pricier) kinetic-art build
A spinning ball of light that paints a floating 3D globe on your desk
●●●○○ · another mesmerizing display
You can build your own split-flap display that clacks like an old train station board
●●●○○ · a different satisfying mechanical display
tuanchris (Dune Weaver)
Built an affordable open kinetic sand table with a polished web app, hundreds of patterns and IKEA-furniture enclosures, offering both a free DIY route and commercial models.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM1mo agoedited
A design decision we really liked once we spotted it: patterns are stored in normalized polar coordinates, so the exact same file draws correctly on a tiny table or a coffee-table build. Just don't hunt for the STL on GitHub — the repo is only the software, with printables on MakerWorld and wiring docs on the project site. What's under your table — steel ball and magnet, or still on the wishlist?