Building a TARDIS with CadQuery

Introduction

While we can't quite replicate the magic of the TARDIS from Doctor Who, we can certainly use our engineering skills and a powerful CAD tool like CadQuery to design a visually stunning, if not functional, replica.

Setting Up the Environment

1. **Install Required Libraries:**

   pip install cadquery

2. **Import Necessary Modules:**

   import cadquery as cq
   from cadquery import Workplane, Edge

Creating the TARDIS Exterior

def create_tardis_exterior():
    # Create the base box
    tardis_exterior = Workplane("XY").box(2, 2, 3)

    # Add the roof
    roof_height = 1
    roof = Workplane("XY").rect(2, 2).extrude(roof_height)
    tardis_exterior = tardis_exterior.union(roof)

    # Add the door
    door_width = 1
    door_height = 2
    door = Workplane("XY").rect(door_width, door_height).extrude(0.1)
    door_cutout = tardis_exterior.cut(door)

    return tardis_exterior

Designing the TARDIS Interior

The interior is where the real fun begins. You can design multiple levels, corridors, and rooms.

def create_tardis_interior():
    # Create the main interior space
    interior_width = 10
    interior_depth = 10
    interior_height = 5
    interior = Workplane("XY").box(interior_width, interior_depth, interior_height)

    # Add details like consoles, chairs, and levers
    # ... (Use Workplane operations to create various shapes)

    # Create a time rotor (simplified)
    rotor_diameter = 2
    rotor_thickness = 0.5
    rotor = Workplane("XY").circle(rotor_diameter / 2).extrude(rotor_thickness)

    return interior

Combining Exterior and Interior

To combine the exterior and interior, we'll need to position the interior within the exterior shell, ensuring it's smaller and offset to create the illusion of a larger interior space:

def assemble_tardis():
    exterior = create_tardis_exterior()
    interior = create_tardis_interior().translate((1, 1, 1))  # Offset the interior

    # Combine the parts
    tardis = exterior.union(interior)

    return tardis

Exporting the Model

result = assemble_tardis()
result.exportStl("tardis.stl")

This is a simplified example. The actual TARDIS design can be much more complex, involving intricate details and potentially multiple levels. With CadQuery, you can explore your creativity and build your own unique TARDIS.